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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think that £35 an hour is a lot for a cleaner

146 replies

Mamamia2020 · 29/10/2020 19:43

My elderly parents are moving house. My Mum has recently been in hospital with pneumonia. She is the sort of person who in the past when moving house would have all carpets cleaned and scrubbed the bathroom with a toothbrush. The thought of moving out and not doing this is abhorrent to her. Her home is immaculate.

Anyway, she is panicking about moving day and wanted a cleaner for the move day as she has been under the weather. It literally just needs someone to whip around with a hoover because as furniture is moved there will be dust behind etc. My Dad said he would do it but she says she wants a 'professional'. My Dad will scrub the bathroom and insides of the kitchen cupboards the day before but we wanted someone just to do a last-minute wipe down. Someone is already coming in to clean the hob and oven two days beforehand.

I contacted a cleaner and explained that I just wanted to book 4 hours, one-off, to hoover through, mop the kitchen floor, clean the bath and toilet, and a final wipe down of the cupboards. I said the property would be empty from 2pm and would probably take 2 hours but would pay for 4. I stressed it is not a full-on 'end of tenancy clean required' just a final whip-round. They are moving 2 hours away and wanted to get off as soon as the van is loaded before it gets dark. She originally quoted £20 an hour which I said was great and I said that I would confirm with them then arrange payment to book the slot. When I came back to her, she asked for photos of the property which I thought was odd as we'd already agreed on a price.I sent them to her from Rightmove and she then changed her mind and said it would be £140 for the four hours. Is it just me that things this is really OTT? I emphasized that it wasn't an end of tenancy clean but she still kept saying to me that I would never get someone to do an 'end of tenancy clean' for £20 an hour. I stressed (again) that I don't need that - just a hoover around, a quick wipe down of the bath, toilets and wipe down the insides of kitchen cupboards (that would already have been cleaned).

I live abroad otherwise I would do it for them, it would take me 2 hour tops.

AIBU to think that £35 an hour is OTT? She said it was also because it was out of hours but only because she couldn't come at 2pm and would have to delay it until 4.30 pm

YABU and therefore I need to start my own cleaning company and earn £35 an hour.

OP posts:
Lemonsyellow · 29/10/2020 20:28

She is chancing it. It’s a lovely house and she’s ripping you off because she smells money.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/10/2020 20:29

That's what I was quoted for a deep clean of my tiny two bed house a while ago. My regular cleaner charges £10
An hour.

ekidmxcl · 29/10/2020 20:30

It's a beautiful house and will need almost no cleaning. I think the cleaner decided that they have money from the photos and decided to up the price.

ivykaty44 · 29/10/2020 20:31

I reckons cleaner has seen the price of the house and changed her mind

tbh I will never do it again as last time the cleaner was doing one room and the new owners were going round after her cleaning what was already spotlessly clean - waste of time paying for someone to then have it cleaned again

HerdyGerdy · 29/10/2020 20:31

@Georgeoftheinternet

It’s £140 for a vacate clean. If you think it’s too much don’t bother.
Anyone else think the cleaner herself has appeared?
iluvgab · 29/10/2020 20:31

It's too expensive so say you don't want to book her at that price. Then find someone else.

Solina · 29/10/2020 20:32

I would say it would be better to just leave it and leave a card and bottle of wine for the new people instead. It sounds like it will be more than clean enough for next owners.
I certainly would be over the moon. Our vendors left us dirt, poo in the toilet and lots of things to fix.

keeprocking · 29/10/2020 20:33

Do any of their friends have a cleaner who would like to do a couple of extra hours to make more before Christmas, cash in hand?

ethelredonagoodday · 29/10/2020 20:33

That is absolutely taking the piss!!!
Your parents' house is immaculate. It will only need a wipe round, not a full thorough clean like you could envisage some end of tenancy cleans being!!!

FWIW, we pay £12.50 per hour for our cleaner but it's due to go up to £15 next Jan.

LesleyA · 29/10/2020 20:34

Please please tell me how your mum keeps her house so tidy? Where’s the miscellaneous stuff that ends up on the counter. I’m serious and do u keep your house this tidy. I know off topic but I need to know

HateIsNotGood · 29/10/2020 20:35

£35ph might seem a bit steep but on top of cleaning products costs there's other costs too such as transport, travel time and probably some Fees involved from the 'platform' that you found the Cleaner on.

As well as No Holiday, Sickness, Maternity, Paternity Pension payments that PAYE workers are entitled to - whilst high, given it's Berks, doesn't seem too expensive really.

Checkable High Reviews/References might substantiate the price proposed.

Your parent's house looks quite immaculate with a very white interior in the photos - i'll bet there's a lot of dust settled since they were taken - and it'll take more cleaning than you might imagine.

I am not a Cleaner btw.

MrsMarrio · 29/10/2020 20:36

She mustn't want the job and upped the price to make it worth her while to do it. SIL has her own cleaning company and charges £13-£15/h depending on how much cleaning or if they are a regular client. Get more quotes

Alez · 29/10/2020 20:37

I think you should get another quote but also don't tell them the circumstances i.e. moving out. Just say what jobs you need doing and they should charge you a normal rate. Dont mention that it's a one off unless they ask - they might put the price up for that a bit

tryingharder92 · 29/10/2020 20:37

@HateIsNotGood

£35ph might seem a bit steep but on top of cleaning products costs there's other costs too such as transport, travel time and probably some Fees involved from the 'platform' that you found the Cleaner on.

As well as No Holiday, Sickness, Maternity, Paternity Pension payments that PAYE workers are entitled to - whilst high, given it's Berks, doesn't seem too expensive really.

Checkable High Reviews/References might substantiate the price proposed.

Your parent's house looks quite immaculate with a very white interior in the photos - i'll bet there's a lot of dust settled since they were taken - and it'll take more cleaning than you might imagine.

I am not a Cleaner btw.

But she quoted £20 per hour before she saw the photos! I think that's what's making it sound dodgy.
MrsMarrio · 29/10/2020 20:38

Just seen photos you uploaded...cleaner is taking the absolute piss. Daylight robbery of elderly people!

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 29/10/2020 20:39

Sounds expensive to me, but I’m really posting to say what a lovely house! I wish mine looked like that...it could if it weren’t for our messy family.😂

gingerbread88 · 29/10/2020 20:41

£15-£20 an hour would be the going rate for this sort of job. Get another quote, there's plenty of other cleaners who would like the job...

Devilesko · 29/10/2020 20:42

Yes, posh tax definitely.
She thinks she saw you coming, cf.

SuitedandBooted · 29/10/2020 20:43

You're being hit with the posh people tax.
Nice house = deep pockets = money's nothing to them (so I'll up my rates).

Get another quote.

Lovely house by the way - your parents have good taste! Wink

AdultierAdult · 29/10/2020 20:45

I own a 2 bed house not far from Reading and always paid £20ph for spring cleans. It was more than the usual hourly rate by a merry mile but I assumed that was because it was a one off and not a regular thing, i.e. taking these sorts of jobs regularly make for a less secure income. We now rent it out so will be interested to see what they charge for end of tenancy! YANBU I think £35ph is a bit shocking.

Nottherealslimshady · 29/10/2020 20:46

I'll join you. Especially if 4.30 is out of hours!

Marchitectmummy · 29/10/2020 20:49

OP have your parents tried asking tbe estate agent if they have cleaners they recommend? If they have a lettings side to their business they will know some cleaners. They won't be £35 per hour. Lots of cleaners are scratching around for work at the moment not everyone I know has had their cleaners back, we haven't nor have we in the office.

Dailyhandtowelwash · 29/10/2020 20:50

Just talk to some other cleaners and ask for the price of a one-off clean. The people round here usually change a couple of pounds an hour more.

It’s not an end of tenancy clean so doesn’t need a deep clean - it’s new owners moving in so they get what they get and damn lucky they will be when they pick up the keys to this place!

Inthemuckheap · 29/10/2020 20:54

£20 until you showed her the photo. She's taking the michael. CF

ImMoana · 29/10/2020 20:56

She’s seen the photos and thinks you have money.