That I shouldn’t have paid cleaner for four full hours

[Bizawit]

I have recently had a baby. I’m a single mum and in need of help, so I hired a cleaner through a friend’s recommendation.

I originally asked for 3 hours every 2 weeks. After coming once, she insisted it was not possible to fully clean my flat in 3 hours and she needed 4. I said ok.

The next time she came, after about 3 hours and 40/45 minutes, she announced she was done, and was leaving. I was surprised that she still charged me for the full four hours.

My bf says that’s fair because it’s a charge for every hour started. I think she was being a CF and she should have either stayed the full 4 hours as agreed, or expect to be paid less. AIBU?

Sorry but if I was a cleaner even if o felt I’d finished and there was 10/15 mins left I’d do a bit of extra desiring or plump up some cushions anything really I think it’s rude to leave early

Ooh my phone changes dusting to desiring ! 🤣

She owes you 15 mins

I would have made her a cup.of tea and had a chat for the final 15 mins. Cleaning is hard work and having a good relationship with her will pay dividends in the long run.

Tell here you don't need a deep clean every week and cut here down to 2 hours, if she complains get a new cleaner.

RE: is Che being a CF, I would say rounding up a quarter of an hour is ok-ish for a casual job, but you could imagine how that would go down if you were working in Tesco or whatever.

She is a CF who is taking advantage of your situation. I used to do cleaning years ago & 2 hours is ample for a 2 bed flat. I would find someone else tbh for 2 hours twice a week & give them your priorities for each clean. Get rid of the CF. I struggle to see what she is doing for 3 hours 45 minutes in a 2 bed flat!

i agree with Venger and MyLittlePony above.
as to the number of rooms / time taken to clean, did not OP state that the cleaner comes every second week.
so that is half as often as most people on here, so naturally it will take longer than if it's done every week.
also premises and their occupants vary greatly.
but, overall, if you are not satisfied, then don't continue with this cleaner.
but I would not quibble about 15 minutes, and if I did feel uneasy about it, that is a sign for me that we are not suited; so best to find another cleaner.

@NailsNeedDoing ha I think that pretty much sums it up!

Thanks all, I think the responses here have helped clarify the issue. It’s not about paying her per minute (that’s clearly petty as many have pointed out), but it’s more about the red flags I’m getting: that she’s asked for 4 hours to clean my relatively small property and left 15 mins early the second time she came, after insisting I pay for an extra hour..

Problem is Im reluctant to get rid of her as that takes me back to square one and I’m really desperate for help! So maybe I should just insist we go back to 3 hours and give her a list of tasks..

Taking the piss! 4 hours for a 2 bed flat? Unless you live in a right hovel? If she worked for any employer they’d not take kindly to her leaving 15 minutes early. It adds up. Just because she’s a cleaner, why does she get special dispensation for leaving early. I would have paid 4 hrs but if she did it again I’d find another cleaner or ask her why she said 4 hours and then doesn’t stay for 4 hours.

Nope not too thick Penny. - Just think you work what you're paid for if the contract is based on hours. And the cleaner is taking the piss.

Venger - Its an agreement between two people - the OP and the cleaner. Not as if they've known each other for ages. I can understand the flexibility then.

I'd expect a very high standard of cleaning in 4 hours in a 2 bed flat, OP.

If you're happy with the level of cleaning, I'd let the odd minutes go.

If you're not happy, I'd say "Sorry but given you've left early twice now, we clearly don't need 4 hours and I'm happy to go back to 3, thanks".

4 hours cleaning a two bedroomed flat

What is her work like OP? For 4 hours i'd assume she leaves the place immaculate?

@Andsoltbegins I haven't caught my cleaner doing any desiring!
4 hours for a bed flat? She's having a laugh

Can’t understand these responses, she’s a CF, you don’t leave early when you’re booked for 4 hours 😮

4 hours to clean a small 2bed flat? Is she doing all the ironing and changing beds and deep cleaning the skirting boards every week?

But what is she doing though? I could clean a 4 bed, 2 bathroom, 3 bog big house which included skirtings and big glass shower screens in 2 hours.

Really? My cleaner took 3 hours to do a three bed/1bath/2 loos thoroughly (fortnightly clean but we did some in between). She worked hard - I was always there at the time. She did quite often finish 10-15 mins early, which I didn't quibble. I would have preferred her to do extra jobs in the time, but she was a great cleaner so I didn't think it was worth upsetting her - maybe the wrong decision in hindsight, I don't know.

I would tell her you will only need 3 and a half hours

2 beds, 2 small bathrooms, tiny kitchen and a living room

4 hours worth? I don't think so

Have you actually been there wile she's working? If "yes" I'd ask if she's doing it in slow motion, and if "no" I'd suggest it might be worth hanging around next time

Isn't she allowed a 15 min break in that four hours. I used to work for someone who had a really big house and had a cleaner 9.00-1,00 everyday. If I was working from home with her I noticed that she always called the cleaner for a coffee and cake break about 11.00 o'clock ...same as us, Do people really expect cleaners to work until the very last minute without any break?

I imagine if I announced I was leaving 15 minutes early every day. my head teacher would not be having it!

I went out both times while she was cleaning, so she was free to take a break any time she wanted. Maybe that’s why she needed 4 hours to clean my 2 bed flat .

Everyone saying 4hrs is too much and comparing to their house is getting a weekly clean, every week. OP is having her house cleaned every TWO WEEKS.
So for everyone saying their 2bed whatsit takes 2-3hrs every Friday or whatever is forgetting that they are paying the equivalent of 4-6hrs every TWO WEEKS.

Yanbu, in jobs paid by the hour you stay for the full hour whether you're a cleaner or working in Starbucks or whatever.

I'd sack her off, 4 hours for a 2 bedroom flat is ridiculous, two should be plenty. If you are really in need keep her going until you find someone else but next time stipulate that you're looking for someone to do 2 hours a week and write a list of jobs (what you think you'd get done in two hours).

Try your local Facebook page or just use an agency.

In the brief yet happy 2 months that we had a cleaner, I would get home to a flat that was so clean and gorgeous it made me want to weep. Toaster polished, bin gleaming, light switches spotless, DD's teddies lined up beautifully, she did such a lovely job and with such care it made me feel loved.
If your cleaner makes you feel like that then let her have the 15 mins.

Really? My cleaner took 3 hours to do a three bed/1bath/2 loos thoroughly (fortnightly clean but we did some in between)

Yes really. It did help that the client was a clutter free person so it was literally just cleaning but it was flat out for 2 hours. 4 hours to clean a flat regularly doesn't compute. A deep clean after months of little cleaning maybe but not a regular clean.