Can anyone talk to me about getting a cleaner?

[kwaker5]

Been thinking about getting a cleaner for last month of pregnancy/first few months with newborn.

I've never used one before so was hoping for some tips. Things I've thought about are:
Agency versus self employed?
What insurance should they have?
Should they be CRB checked?
Do they work when you are in or let themselves in?
What could they achieve in 2 hours per week?
If I 'interview' them what should I ask?

But any advice really would be welcome.

Agency vs. Self employed - up to you. I have always preferred non agency, as I want the same cleaner coming every week so we can build a relationship.

I am always there when my cleaner is here, but I gave my last cleaner keys to the house (she cleaned for us for 5 yrs and became a friend).

Two hours is sufficient to clean a flat or small house, probably. In 3 hours, my cleaner sweeps and mops wooden floors and dusts throughout a 4 bed, 2 reception house. She also cleans two bathrooms thoroughly (toilet, bath, shower etc), the kitchen and the oven. Once a month she does a 4 hour stint and cleans inside of windows and woodwork.

I've never bothered interviewing for a cleaner. I give them a go and if they're any good, I keep them.

I don't know about the CRB thing. I've never bothered with it.

Oh just to add, I've always gone on recommendations from friends or neighbours for my cleaners.

hi i am cleaner so will try and answer your questions.

main reason imo that people use agency is for safety/insurance and holiday purposes. if something expensive gets broken then you will be be covered by their insurance. also with agency they will send someone when your cleaner is off sick/holiday. although i'm lucky in that when im off sick or on holiday one of my friends go in and cover me. she also works with me in the school hols so i put all my jobs into long day and split the money with so only working 2 long days in the week.

although i have worked for an agency - it really was one greedy (sis in law ha ha) woman really calling herself a business. so if your not going with one of the more well known agencies ask to see the insurance certificate. she would tell the customers that their keys were kept locked up it the office and really they were kept in the cleaners houses.

not sure why they would need to be crb checked.never heard it mentioned before rally. also none of the cleaners i know are.

i have both sorts of jobs i let myself in and also work when they are home.

depends what size of house and what you want done in the hours. my smallest job is 3 hours. wouldn't work for the 2. people want different things - some expect you to tidy. some dont want you to touch beds whilst others want you to change all of them. my jobs are 3hrs (flat & noral size house) and 5 hrs (4 bed house).

let me know if you need more answers.

I've had several cleaners over the years , all either recommendations or local ad in post office.
I ask for references and ring them.
I interview to find out a bit about the person, if they've cleaned before they may have strong views about what they want to do and how.

I agree hours depends on size of house.

Decide what your priorities are.
Do you want the cleaner to just clean, if so you need to clear the decks so she doesn't waste time tidying before she can clean.
Do you want bathrooms doing?
Ironing?
I used to expect all rooms to be hoovered and dusted but each week one room to get a more in depth clean.
I used to employ cleaner for 4 hours for large 4 bed house.This often left a little time for ironing or some other one off job.

Nothing beats the sight of hoover tracks on the carpet when you come home.

Don't have cleaner now as I'm home most of the time.

I've had several cleaners over the years , all either recommendations or local ad in post office.
I ask for references and ring them.
I interview to find out a bit about the person, if they've cleaned before they may have strong views about what they want to do and how.

I agree hours depends on size of house.

Decide what your priorities are.
Do you want the cleaner to just clean, if so you need to clear the decks so she doesn't waste time tidying before she can clean.
Do you want bathrooms doing?
Ironing?
I used to expect all rooms to be hoovered and dusted but each week one room to get a more in depth clean.
I used to employ cleaner for 4 hours for large 4 bed house.This often left a little time for ironing or some other one off job.

Nothing beats the sight of hoover tracks on the carpet when you come home.

Don't have cleaner now as I'm home most of the time.

oops clicked twice

Thanks for the replies - all very helpful.

Do they bring their own cleaning stuff or use what you have?

I know CRB checking would be no guarantee against this, but what if they (worst case scenario!) burgled your house one day and then disappeared?!

usually you buy the cleaning stuff. or i do think maybe some of the big cleaning companies bring their own. you certainly -pay for it in the prices though.

i have stuff that i know works better than othes so i buy them and get the money back or ask them to buy it.

that why you ask for references at the interview and check them all thoroughly. y

ou will get a feel for the person. also going through an agency this should not be a problem.

Hi

I am 27 weeks pregnant with twins and was thinking about getting a cleaner. I did have a very good one 18 months back but i decided to stop using her as really i felt i could do it myself if i got myself organised. I would just agree with everyone else and just say make sure your clear what you want them to do in the time allocated rather than letting them do what they want.

Just to throw a wide ball I have just purchased an irobot roomba after reading rave reviews on the site and on the internet in general. I did feel rather silly paying for a robot vacummn but its turned abot to be a great investment. Its only been with me 6 days but its worth it weight in gold already. So much so i have also bought the irobot scooba which mops the floors.

This is to replace the need for a cleaner when the twins arrive and just help me keep on top of things as my other half is rather fussy about the house.

Hope that helps/

Sarah

PS I am a police officer so thought i would stick my views on teh crb thing on here too. I wouldnt bother with it. It doesnt give you protection and is a bit ott for a cleaner to be honest. Well unless your the queen lol.

I go on gut feeling alot. I would go on recommendation. If you find someone advertising in the post office window for instance ring them have a chat and ask if they have any clients who they think would be happy for you to just to call as a reference. If you take them on then just build a bit of a relationship by leaving notes etc. I used to text mine and gave her the main key to the front door but not to the deadlock which i left open on the mornings she was due to come.