I'm after a bit of advice please. We are taking on a cleaner as my DH and I are tired of constantly feeling like we can't keep up with everything and would rather spend our spare time with the DCs and doing other jobs like decorating, gardening and DIY. We've recently had building work done and whilst our house isn't filthy it is very dusty and from the work.
I had a company quote without seeing the house - £25 an hour (for a team of two) estimated to take 3 hours a week. This was after a more expensive initial deep clean. We have a 3 bed semi in a large northern city - so not London prices. I turned them down and started looking for independent cleaners as I thought this was a bit extortionate!
I found a lovely women from the local classified ads who lives locally. She came round and said her rate was £10 an hour and estimated a two hour weekly clean which is fine and much more affordable. She's also come back with a quote for the deep clean. 5.5 hours but with a discounted rate as I'm a new customer - £40. I feel really uncomfortable paying below the national minimum wage
she said she was new to cleaning professionally (this doesnt bother me as she really did seem to know what she was talking about in terms of the cleaning itself) but I feel like she has under quoted with being new. I don't want to take advantage of her.
My DH on the other hand being a typical tight Yorkshireman is over the moon with this quote, but I'd like to give her at least £50. We are not seeing eye to eye on this at all! Should I just let her do it as quoted and feel guilty or stick to my guns and slip her an extra tenner behind my DHs back?!
For context the deep clean involves things like skirting boards, cleaning all the woodwork and UPVC windows and doors inside, woodwork, radiators, dusting etc. Not a kitchen deep clean as we've just had a new one put in and all our flooring downstairs is new. Also one bedroom is currently used for storage so it would just be two bedrooms. We are by no means flush with money, I'm in desperate need of new clothes and I'm increasing my hours at work to afford the extra monthly cost of this but at the same time I want her to be happy and valued!
Am I just being daft or do you think I have a point? Also any tips on maintaining a good working relationship with my cleaner would be appreciated.
thanks