How long for all of this?

[Helpthishouseworkhater]

Considering a cleaner now that I am going back to work after maternity leave. We have a minuscule three bedroom house with one bathroom and the kitchen is small too. There’s still just not enough hours in the day to keep on top of it though!

I am planning to go for a one man/woman band sort of arrangement rather than an agency who might send a couple of people at once. How long do you think it would take one cleaner to do the following on a weekly basis?

Hallway -
Dust sideboard (small)
Sweep floor at the bottom of the stairs
Mop floor (spray mop)
Hoover stairs

Lounge -
Dust furniture (sideboard, tv unit and side tables)
Hoover

Bathroom -
Clean bath
Clean sink
Clean shower (over bath shower)
Clean toilet
Sweep floor
Mop floor (spray mop)

Kitchen -
Clean sink
Clean dish drainer
Clean sides
Clean cabinet doors
Clean microwave
Sweep floor
Mop floor (spray mop)

Bedrooms -
Dust
Hoover

Is there anything I haven’t thought of that I should add to the list? Some ironing and having our bed changed would be lovely too but I will need to assess the finances first

I’m hoping that people who already have a cleaner might be able to help judge what I might require time wise! I wouldn’t even mind if they only did one bedroom each week.

Thanks in advance

I used to have one for 3hrs for a medium sized 4 bed and that was enough, so if you get an efficient one she might be able to fit in a bit of ironing as well?

Oh I’d be happy with three hours especially if they could get some ironing done too! Do you not have a cleaner anymore?

Hopeful bump for more thoughts

Last one messed me about a bit and as my children are older now I decided to just (sort of) do it myself. I used to spend time rushing around before she came, tidying up so she could just clean and decided it wasn't worth the hassle!

2 hours I reckon

Dusting and hoovering only 5 min jobs , bathroom will take the time

My cleaner comes one a fortnight and spends two hours cleaning. I tidy before she comes but she does:
Bathroom
En-suite shower room
Downstairs loo (so cleans the bathroom fittings/ shower screen etc. and cleans the floors.)
She hoovers all upstairs (4bedrooms) and hoovers then mops the hard floors downstairs. She also cleans kitchen worktops but doesn’t do stuff like microwave I’m sure she would if I asked her but I think a quick wipe after using it keeps it nice.
I pay £30. I still clean in between her visits but it means nowhere ever gets really bad!

I had a lady come and do 3 hours in our tiny 2 bed terrace, and I wasn’t impressed with the outcome

Cleaner here, two hours as long as there's no tidying up to do. Also go with a recommendation from colleague or friend.

Thanks everyone! Two hours would be fab and I could pay for 3 and get a little bit of ironing done too. Now just to find a good cleaner.

Yes, I’d say 2 hours.

2-3 hours depending on how thorough they are. It always takes someone new a bit longer first time around

Yes I'd say 2 hours if it is nice and clutter free (kitchen and bathroom surfaces all clear, no silly shelves with items that need dusting etc). Three hours at the most and could probably get some ironing done. Ironing does take quite a lot of time though so make sure you prioritise what you want done eg "clean first and then if you can free up time to iron, start with the shirts please.

3 hours.

2-3 hours. Try asking on your local facebook page for recommendations.

Other jobs for the list might be dust/wipe skirting boards, dust/wipe doors and frames, cobweb patrol high and low including lampshades.
Arrange a trial clean with a prospective cleaner, and give feedback. I had one company that was so rubbish I didn't have to pay for the trail clean, and the firm I did use weren't always 100% depending on who they sent but would charge a reduced fee for birthday were missed (basically the main cleaner was great, but sometimes would bring her sister who wasn't and they chatted instead of cleaning so not enough got done well).