What would be a reasonable rate for cleaning and/or feeding pets etc?

[StoneTheFlamingCrows]

I am now financially in the position where I can afford a cleaner, and in a new demanding job so need one, and have just got to know my new neighbour and discovered she is a cleaner and looking for work.

What is the going rate for cleaning, and how many hours/week do you think I will need? We have a roomyish 2 bed terrace in the south west so not London prices!

Also I was thinking of asking her to feed our outdoor rabbit and let her have a run around the yard for an hour or so daily when we are away, and just keep a general eye on the house. Neighbour is next door.

We have vaguely discussed it and she is keen, but not talked prices yet so I'd like to have a vague idea of a ball-park figure in case she asks me to suggest a rate. What do you think?! Have never employed a cleaner so have no idea! She seems lovely so would rather give her first refusal over a stranger/agency.

We paid £8 ph for a fantastic cleaner about 3 years ago. We paid for 3 hours for her to clean a 4 bed townhouse. She also did ironing if I left her some. We're in the North East if that helps.

With regards the rabbit do you expect her to stay and watch it or just pop round let him out then put him back in again later? If the former I'd pay her hourly rate but if the latter I'd guess maybe £5-6 each visit.

She could literally watch the rabbit over the garden wall, and she doesn't need to watch her any way, the yard is decire and we sometimes pop out and leave the rabbit out and she is fine. I was thinking £5 per day for rabbit feeding so glad that seems reasonable.

A word of warning OP - yes to asking your neighbour to look after the rabbit, but what if your neighbour doesn't do the cleaning as you would like/to the standards you want or if the relationship sours for whatever reason: it could make things very difficult. It's good to support someone you know, but sometimes it can cause more issues than it's worth.

I think I would initiate things on a "trial" basis as I would anyone else. Just wanted to give her a go first.

We are not great friends, I doubt much would be lost if things didn't work out. Good point though.