cleaners: agency or private individuals, any preferences?

[ratflavouredjelly]

Hi ladies.
Would appreciate any help on this one. I'm looking for recommendations for domestic cleaners in the Shoreham-by-sea area.

If you're not in the Shoreham area, can anyone tell me if they prefer to use agencies or private cleaners? I've been paying over £15 per hour for an agency whcih seems ridiculous. I only need a cleaner one a fortnight for a couple of hours to help me out (as I'm working).

cheers m'dears!

I found agencies too expense, and went for a cleaner off Gumtree. I have a meeting with her and checked her references, one of which was the deputy head at the local school who she had cleaned for for years.

Had no problems and had her for over a year now. £8 per hour, in the Midlands.

• had a meeting with her

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly - ah, I hadn't thought of checking gumtree...scarpers to google it

£15 does sound dear! I pay £9.50 an hour through an agency. I had private individuals and got so fed up of them letting me down that I decided to go with an agency a couple of years ago and it is well worth the extra cost.

My cleaners come on a Thursday so the agency can get a replacement in on the Friday if for some reason the cleaner doesn't show.