Paying a cleaner a retainer

[Quiettiger]

We are moving house in the next 3 weeks and we will be employing a new cleaner. She's very sought after - she's highly recommended and known locally for doing a good job and being very reliable. I have had to delay her starting with us by 2 weeks because of the delay in moving and have therefore have happily agreed to pay for the 2 weeks she's not cleaning for us so that we can reserve our "weekly cleaning spot" going forward.

I told a friend that we'd effectively paid for 2 weeks that she wouldn't be cleaning, so that we could keep our cleaning day and friend has basically said cleaner is being a CF. I am now second guessing myself, I was (and am still) happy to pay for 2 weeks non-cleaning so new cleaner isn't messed about based on what we originally agreed. (I had originally asked her to start this week).

What are people's thoughts?

In this case, since the delay was cause by you, you should be paying her

I really don’t know why “friends” have to weigh in in this situation. You were happy, cleaner was happy. What does she achieve by making you feel bad about a perfectly sensible arrangement?

I think if you can afford it and are happy yo do this your cleaner will really appreciate it right before xmas

I think it’s none of your friends business.

I have a cleaning business and it’s quite frustrating to be turning away work and then a regular client suddenly cancels for a holiday or something that’s been planned for a while and suddenly It’s all to short notice for me to fill the slot so I don’t earn.

If your cleaner is sought after, she probably has a waiting list and could have allocated your slot to someone else. I think you’ve been fair to pay this

I always pay my cleaner for weeks she doesn’t work at our request. Totally normal- it’s her income.

If you want to keep the space then you pay.
Otherwise cleaner would be turning down work.
It's business

Thanks all, that goes with what I felt. Friend can get stuffed with her opinion!