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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

£170 for two hours cleaning reasonable?

49 replies

FlunkyDunkles · 27/02/2026 15:54

Hi, I dislocated and fractured my shoulder last week because of a fall. Wet conditions have made paths muddy. I've been off work and I feel unable to keep the house clean in the meantime. I can't use sore arm to balance if using the other to scrub, for example. I've been chasing the NHS today as I was told while in A&E, I would be getting a Occupation Health call the day after.

A week later, after 1 hour of going round the houses, I'm told I won't be getting occupational health call, the fracture clinic was all I was getting. When I confirmed I could go to the toilet by myself and feed myself, there was nothing else they would provide due to my age (41). If I was older, yes. Any cleaning help would have to arranged and paid by myself.

I often feel, services don't lift a finger for people living alone - assuming or hoping you have a support network and if not, "good luck". It was thus when I was trying to get an ambulance the week before and NHS 24 said they would - except I had my dog with me....could no-one else do it?

I later find out local authorities have a legal obligation to look after dogs of people needing hospital admission - this information wasn't provided. Me having my dog was reversed to block ambulance provision to me - is how it felt.

Anyway, when I looked at cleaning services in my area, one was charging £170 for two people to clean for 2 hours, working through a list you provide, there was no guarantee they would finish the list. That seems really high...is that reasonable?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
CeciliaMars · 27/02/2026 15:56

Well that’s technically 4 hours… but it’s still very high for cleaning! Look elsewhere, ideally not going through a company. Ask friends if their cleaner has any availability?

FabuIous · 27/02/2026 15:58

It’s usually £20 per hour where I am and it would take about 4 hours to clean a 3-4 bed house that was fairly tidy but not immaculate.

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 27/02/2026 15:58

That's 4 hours, but pretty expensive. I've paid £35 an hour in the past but my current cleaner is £20 an hour.

Twasasurprise · 27/02/2026 15:59

That sounds like 4 hours cleaning, but no, not unless an End of Tenancy clean.

You should be looking at £18-£30 per hour for most domestic cleaners. They might charge a lot more though if not for regular work, plus an initial deep clean for additional hours is usual.

Teresavonlichenstein · 27/02/2026 16:01

Ask at a local friendly church if they know anyone cleaning locally who would appreciate some extra work and you don’t need a deep clean but on going cleaning day to day just to keep on top of it

youalright · 27/02/2026 16:02

Put up on your local Facebook group looking for a cleaner. People will tag all the good local ones

7238SM · 27/02/2026 16:04

I later find out local authorities have a legal obligation to look after dogs of people needing hospital admission

I used to work in A&E and have never heard of this before! I do know that the Cinnamon Trust can find a local person to look after your dog (and possibly other pets) if you are hospitalised, so keep them in mind. My friend lives alone and she has a card in her wallet with contact numbers of friends that would look after her dog in the case of an emergency, and to also let A&E staff know that there is a dog home alone.

The cleaning charges are very high IMO. I too would put a post on nextdoor.com in your area or ask on facebook for recommendations and definitely get more quotes.

Crikeyalmighty · 27/02/2026 16:05

I paid £150 for a spring clean last year - 2 of them for 3 hours with all their devices/ products - to be fair they made a great job, did all bathrooms, floors, skirtings, 4 bed older house

MidnightPatrol · 27/02/2026 16:12

I think what you’re paying for here is a premium for it being a ‘one-off’ clean vs a regular thing

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/02/2026 17:43

I pay £30
for a two hour weekly clean

spindrifft · 27/02/2026 17:48

7238SM · 27/02/2026 16:04

I later find out local authorities have a legal obligation to look after dogs of people needing hospital admission

I used to work in A&E and have never heard of this before! I do know that the Cinnamon Trust can find a local person to look after your dog (and possibly other pets) if you are hospitalised, so keep them in mind. My friend lives alone and she has a card in her wallet with contact numbers of friends that would look after her dog in the case of an emergency, and to also let A&E staff know that there is a dog home alone.

The cleaning charges are very high IMO. I too would put a post on nextdoor.com in your area or ask on facebook for recommendations and definitely get more quotes.

It's true that local authorities have an obligation to arrange care, but they don't have an obligation to pay for it and will recover the costs from you. It's almost certainly better to arrange it yourself if you can.

Peoplemakemedespair · 27/02/2026 17:51

This is how much a deep clean for a 3 bed with utility and massive conservatory cost me. It took her 6 hours and she was fabulous (though a slightly offensive African lady 😂). This was on the Oscar app

£170 for two hours cleaning reasonable?
Cheese55 · 27/02/2026 18:07

7238SM · 27/02/2026 16:04

I later find out local authorities have a legal obligation to look after dogs of people needing hospital admission

I used to work in A&E and have never heard of this before! I do know that the Cinnamon Trust can find a local person to look after your dog (and possibly other pets) if you are hospitalised, so keep them in mind. My friend lives alone and she has a card in her wallet with contact numbers of friends that would look after her dog in the case of an emergency, and to also let A&E staff know that there is a dog home alone.

The cleaning charges are very high IMO. I too would put a post on nextdoor.com in your area or ask on facebook for recommendations and definitely get more quotes.

This is only partially true as I work in a hospital and what we have to do is get the dog put in kennels which you will then be billed for. The problem is kennels won't accept a dog without proof of vacs etc. What will likely happen is that you would have sign your dog over to a rescue who will consider if you can have it back. It's extremely time consuming, means dogs will left alone etc. You need to have a water tight plan for your dog as should all owners. Its also done as an emergency not as a plan B if you need hospital

Cheese55 · 27/02/2026 18:10

Also cleaning is not provided for anybody with a fracture ,ever, whatever their age. It's not considered essential .

Chinsupmeloves · 27/02/2026 18:13

Way too much! £15 an hour here for my parents.

Pleasealexa · 27/02/2026 18:16

"legally responsible for dog care"...Who do you think should pay for this?

How long will you take to heal? Generally cleaning can wait for a few weeks. Thankfully there are so many online deliveries so most people who are young enough to use technology cope well when living solo.

TsunamiTsunami · 27/02/2026 18:19

MidnightPatrol · 27/02/2026 16:12

I think what you’re paying for here is a premium for it being a ‘one-off’ clean vs a regular thing

Yes, I think this^^ too. I have paid something close to £200 for a one off clean, one person, but for five hours.

goz · 27/02/2026 18:19

I mean I think it’s fair enough that any cleaning you needed would have to be arranged and paid yourself? In what world should anyone else cover that?

There will be services across all budgets, for 4 hours (2 people) it’s about £40 an hour. Some services charge more for one off cleans, preferring to be booked in weekly or bi weekly so it could have reflected that. Surely you could also see other options that were cheaper though?

Chewbecca · 27/02/2026 18:23

That is expensive yes.

But I wouldn't expect social services (i.e. me, the taxpayer) to cover the cost of cleaning your home whilst you are out of action.

🤞You get better soon.

Dillydollydingdong · 27/02/2026 18:24

Cleaners round here charge £15 per hour. So 4 hours would be £60.

CreepyCoupe · 27/02/2026 18:29

We pay £30, so that would equate to £120, so I think your quote is fairly high.

CreepyCoupe · 27/02/2026 18:29

We pay £30, so that would equate to £120, so I think your quote is fairly high.

Shinyandnew1 · 27/02/2026 18:32

That is expensive, if you keep searching, you’ll be able to find something cheaper.

I have to say that I don’t think the NHS or social care should be paying for people’s cleaning.

corblimeyguvnr · 27/02/2026 18:41

You're a single person. How dirty is your house going to get that you need this extent of cleaning? That's a ridiculous price. After I had a hysterectomy I used a maid service once a week to do the bed and clean the bathrooms.

Ohyeahitsme · 27/02/2026 18:47

7238SM · 27/02/2026 16:04

I later find out local authorities have a legal obligation to look after dogs of people needing hospital admission

I used to work in A&E and have never heard of this before! I do know that the Cinnamon Trust can find a local person to look after your dog (and possibly other pets) if you are hospitalised, so keep them in mind. My friend lives alone and she has a card in her wallet with contact numbers of friends that would look after her dog in the case of an emergency, and to also let A&E staff know that there is a dog home alone.

The cleaning charges are very high IMO. I too would put a post on nextdoor.com in your area or ask on facebook for recommendations and definitely get more quotes.

Yes they do, but they charge the owner on discharge,.they act as a broker/ organiser.

The kennels will also be obliged to charge for vaccinations and transport costs. So it really isn't a good option unless there is literally no one else who can organise it for you (like get the dog to the kennels and take the vaccination certificate etc).