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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have spent £700 on a cleaner/gardener

224 replies

ReenaGee · 09/04/2025 21:35

I'm a lone parent to a 5yo with ASD/ADHD. I have 10k saved and am doing relatively ok apart from being time poor. I work full time, DS the rest of the time. He can't be left alone.

I have booked a cleaner for a deep clean of my house, and a gardener to completely de-weed the garden, plant flowers, cut hedges, power wash etc. £700 in total.

Told my mum I had treated myself today as I've been stressed about where on earth I'm going to find the time to do it. I didn't tell her how much it was, but she proceeded to tell me I am wasting my money and should get on with adulting myself. Was said in a slightly jovial tone but equally she meant it.

Do, AIBU? IMHO it is the self care I need ATM pre summer but she's got in my head making me feel like I'm not achieving things I should be...

OP posts:
Original poster
ReenaGee · 09/04/2025 22:26

KarmenPQZ · 09/04/2025 22:23

I think it’s a great idea in theory. But who’s going to maintain it going forwards? If it helps you get on top of a tidy house that then is manageable for you to keep clear of clutter and clean the. Great. Same with the garden. Are you going to mow the lawn and weed etc every month through summer?

No I'm going to keep them on and pay the gardener to come every month and cleaners every other week.

OP posts:
Cakeandusername · 09/04/2025 22:26

It sounds like a great idea. I wouldn’t tell your mum again. It’s getting all the jobs done in one go rather than paying for things piecemeal. Realistically you can’t get big jobs done and be some carer for ds.

Semiramide · 09/04/2025 22:28

ReenaGee · 09/04/2025 21:39

It's a deep clean of a 3 bed house, including white goods, oven, carpet shampoo, decluttering and reorganising.

The garden includes lawn mowing, weeding, hedge trimming, re-laying non existent gravel, jet washing, plants and putting up a large Wendy house.

Show quote history

Sounds perfectly reasonable.

Now that you have a clean slate, keep it up so both house and garden stay pristine.

stockpilingallthecheese · 09/04/2025 22:32

Sounds great, good for you!! I pay for a cleaner, dog walker and occasional gardener and it’s absolutely added up to far more than you’re spending but worth every penny for the help!

KarmenPQZ · 09/04/2025 22:33

ReenaGee · 09/04/2025 22:26

No I'm going to keep them on and pay the gardener to come every month and cleaners every other week.

Show quote history

Well if that’s the plan and you’re happy with it then perfect! I’m sure there’s plenty of other jobs you can get your mum to do if she ever offers!

SillyNavySnail · 09/04/2025 22:33

Can't believe some are saying it's expensive. It sounds very cheap. I'm a gardener, we have overheads and I'd very likely be more than £700 for that alone. And I'm obviously not over charging, as I'm swamped with work.

£50/hour billing minimum, to cover all business expenses, holiday and sick pay, allowing for a wage for unbillable time for book keeping, marketing, machine maintenance, ordering supplies, quoting etc. Then on an 8.5 hour day, from loading
the van at the start of the day, to unloading at the end there's 7 hours of billable time on average.

Anjo2011 · 09/04/2025 22:37

Money well spent. It’s your money, to do as you please with. I hope you are enjoying the benefit of those jobs being done.

Bogginsthe3rd · 09/04/2025 22:39

ReenaGee · 09/04/2025 21:39

It's a deep clean of a 3 bed house, including white goods, oven, carpet shampoo, decluttering and reorganising.

The garden includes lawn mowing, weeding, hedge trimming, re-laying non existent gravel, jet washing, plants and putting up a large Wendy house.

Show quote history

You've been scammed 😂

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 09/04/2025 22:39

It’s a bargain, enjoy not having to do any of it

Comingtosunset · 09/04/2025 22:40

People are so funny and judgy

I’ve had comments about hiring a cleaner. How I could definitely make time to do it myself.

Yes I could lose a couple of hours of my weekend… but that doesn’t seem appealing when I can just pay someone to do it for me. 🤷‍♀️

TheHerboriste · 09/04/2025 22:41

It’s fine. I’ve paid that much for half-day garden cleanup at our vacation home.

gmgnts · 09/04/2025 22:46

Well done! Don't feel at all guilty and ignore your Mum. Outsource as much as you can afford and use the time to spend with your 5 year old and/or relaxing.

Newlittlerescue · 09/04/2025 22:48

I don't think it's expensive, it sounds very reasonable for what's included, and I think it's a wonderful use of money in theory as it will make your life so much easier, BUT if the 10K is literally your life savings, I'm not sure I would spend 10% of all I had in the world on something that is so transient and, at a (big) push, you could do yourself.

Kattekittt · 09/04/2025 22:49

I’d say it’s money well spent. You’d easily spend a lot more on a holiday and yet by doing this you’ll probably eliminate more stress than a holiday would.
If it’s right for you, then do it. You’ll be glad you have. I was brought up not to have outside help, I finally gave in and it’s honestly been the best thing we’ve ever done. We now have a regular cleaner and gardener and my stress levels have reduced massively.

Rightsraptor · 09/04/2025 22:49

You're doing the right thing. This is your decision about your priorities and spending your money. Ignore everyone else.

SpringIsSpringing25 · 09/04/2025 22:53

pinksquash13 · 09/04/2025 21:39

I think it's actually a sensible thing to spend money on when you're time poor. I'd imagine it will bring you great happiness. Just ensure the workers do a good job and don't be afraid to speak up if it doesn't match your expectations.

^ this!!

that's a good amount of work for £700 and it would've taken God knows how long for you to do it, instead you can spend quality time with DS, or if you can find a way some time to yourself!! Perhaps your mother could babysit.

Iwiicit · 09/04/2025 22:54

Sounds like your life is hard and you're doing your best. I say good for you! I imagine you'll feel a lot better when it's done. Enjoy.

CagneyNYPD1 · 09/04/2025 22:55

ReenaGee · 09/04/2025 21:52

I didn't disagree to be honest. Oven clean alone is £60, carpets £50 for first one then £40 per carpet after that. That's pretty standard and is £190 before cleaning. That means the deep clean is only £160.

The garden includes jet washing, hedge trimming, providing plants for borders, relaying of gravel and ground sheet, replacing a few bricks from lawn border, lawn mowing, repotting potted plants, and putting up a Wendy house. The Wendy house will take a couple of hours alone.

I thought it was cheap.

Show quote history

For the work you have listed, it sounds like a fair price.

Another way of looking at this…how long would it take you to do all that work? How much is your own hourly rate at work? Add in tool hire, materials etc. Then factor in the annual leave you would have to take to do the work while your ds is at school because there is no way you could get it all done properly with him there. Suddenly, £700 is sounding pretty reasonable.

Original poster
ReenaGee · 09/04/2025 22:55

Newlittlerescue · 09/04/2025 22:48

I don't think it's expensive, it sounds very reasonable for what's included, and I think it's a wonderful use of money in theory as it will make your life so much easier, BUT if the 10K is literally your life savings, I'm not sure I would spend 10% of all I had in the world on something that is so transient and, at a (big) push, you could do yourself.

Hang on you've added 3% 😂

OP posts:
Talkwhilstyouwalk · 09/04/2025 22:56

I think it sounds like a bloody brilliant idea, in fact I might copy you! A spring clean done by someone else....why wouldn't you if you can afford it. It sounds like a good few days work.....

Bex268 · 09/04/2025 22:56

Similar situation and I think it’s money well spent. Time is so valuable and people like us just don’t have it.

AuraBora · 09/04/2025 23:00

Good for you I say, money well spent. I think it sounds reasonable too.
Cost us £700 to have a few shrubs and trees pruned last year (that was less work than what you describe and probably we were slightly ripped off). Garden work seems pretty expensive round here. It's all a total mess now but would.be worse if we hadn't had that done.
There are 2 of us (adults) and we struggle to find time to keep on top of it all With 2 small kids.
Actually your post reminds me of my mum. Whenever ì complain about the endless DIY jobs that need doing and how much decorating we need done she always like to remind me how she and my Dad used to get it all done in the evening when my brother and I were in bed.. they basically out us down at 6pm or whatever and shut the door..!.

Momtotwokids · 09/04/2025 23:01

Ignore mom unless she wants to do the cleaning and yard eork

Whatwouldnanado · 09/04/2025 23:02

Your money your choice. In future don’t mention stuff like this to your mum. You obviously do a great independent ‘adult’ job, don’t have to justify to anyone. It’s not a treat, it’s just having a damn good spring clean and making your outdoor space ready for the hopefully decent weather when you can relax and enjoy with your family. You’ll be able to keep on top of the house and garden much better going forward. Smile and do as you like.

LBFseBrom · 09/04/2025 23:03

Pay no attention to negativity, do what you want. When your house and garden are thoroughly sorted you will feel much better and able to keep on top of it though I would say a bit of regular help would be a good idea. It's nothing to do with your mother.