If you have a cleaner...

[EvilTwins]

What does she/he do, and how long does it take?

I'm returning to work full time soon and really want to sort a cleaner out. I have an averagely sized 4-bed house, and will want general dusting/hoovering done, plus bathrooms and kitchen cleaned. Occasionally it would be nice to have the inside of the windows wiped and the oven done.

Is 2 hours per week unrealistic? DH is dubious, but I think that would be sufficient.

Also, is going with an agency generally seen as a good or a bad thing?

TIA.

I have similar sized house and my cleaner does 4 hours once a week and thats barely enough.

We have a similar house to OP. Our cleaner does 2 hours, but no beds, hoovering etc. Basically just kitchen and all bathrooms and general tidying so I come in and hoover throughout (my preference!).

Sometimes she can come twice/ week so she'll do bedrooms, clean blinds and anything else she finds.

So I think if you're working full time, you'll need 4 hours/ week minimum, but splitting it into 2 days works well for me.

I prefer an agency as I can get rid of cleaners who aren't very good - it takes a while to find a good one.

I tried a couple of local people but they weren't very good so I got an agency - here. I have two cleaners for 1.5hrs once a fortnight (3 bed house) but am considering upping it to weekly - they are BRILLIANT and I luurve them. They don't tidy (I do it before they come) but they clean really thoroughly, so I can just keep on top of things 'til they come again....mop floors, hoover, bathrooms, hob and surfaces etc. They do whatever is asked though.

We also have a similar house. Our cleaner does 3 hours per week, all the stuff you mentioned but no windows, no oven, no washing up.

In this time she does not stop for a second, she won't even let me make her a drink, she couldn't get round in less time I'm sure (I'm on mat leave at the mo so am generally here when she comes)

I did not use an agency and found her on (whispers and peers around furtively) netmums.

I had two people come in once a week for an hour (though they took 45 mins) and that cost £47 a week. No tidying but cleaning, mopping...they would not move a thing though.

Got rid of them as didn't feel that was good value for money(agency).

Mine does six hours a week - no windows. She does not make beds. She does clean the bathrooms though.

Found ours on Gumtree - you do have to vet them carefully and give them a trial but she's fab. She too will not stop for a drink and she's really lovely.

one cleaner, 3 beds, 3 hours

2h not enough for 4 bed IMO

5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 4 public rooms

dusting, hoovering, bathrooms and kitchen

kitchen and stairs, family room and all wc/whbs done twice per week

no beds or washing or tidying

does aga, fridge and inside of kitchen cupboards, inside windows, high dusting etc when she has time

takes 6 hours per week

IMO you need 3 hours per week