Ball-park figure for getting my dad's house blitzed by cleaners?

[itchyandscratchy]

My dad has been taken into hospital. When dh and I went to get some things for him yesterday we were shocked at how dirty he's let the house get (we usually only stay in one room when we visit and most of the time he comes to us). I've taken today off work to get stuff sorted but I really don't have the time to do the house esp as we hope he'll be back home before too long.

How much do you think a professional cleaning firm would charge to give it a really good going over (max 4 rooms incl kitchen and bathroom)? btw we're not in London in case that makes any diff to price. I reckon would take half a day for one or two cleaners - it's only a bungalow and rooms aren't very big.

Wouldn't like to hazard a guess really but best bet is prob to ring round a few. Agency ones are likely to be more expensive. Smaller firms likely to be more flexible. Esp in this economic climate.

Thanks - I thought that too about the agencies. Just so hard deciding which ones to choose given that I don't know anything about the whole business. Don't know why I'm being so pathetic. Think I'm embarrassed that I never noticed things had gotten so bad. I feel awful.

Don't feel bad. Most older people are fiercely independent, and would rather stick pins in their eyes than admit they need help. Sometimes people are (wrongly) worried about the consequences of admitting they can't manage.

In terms of booking a deep-clean, you could call social services, and see which agencies they use. they won't be able to recommend a particular one, but should be able to give a list of those they use.

And don't forget that you can negotiate on any price quoted.

Thanks. I'm meeting with a lady from an agency at his house a bit later. I decided to go with a big name as I felt strangely weak about ringing people and just wanted to get it over with. I thought an agency would be less likely to judge (silly I know).

Would be interested to know what they quote (if you don't mind me asking).

Itchy - don't be embarrassed, it's a job and lots of people are very happy to have it

I was quoted £300 to have two cleaners doing one days work (that's 10 hours each worker) which they reckoned was enough to clear a small flat.

I presume the £300 was for a spring or deep clean? Thats the sort of price agencies usually charge.

Yes it was for a deep clean prior to a baby staying - fairly dubious flat dweller previously.

sorry didn't reply earlier - been a crap week!

I was quoted £160 for a spring clean of 1 bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, sitting room and hall of a bungalow. Includes doing cobwebs at top to washing down skirting at bottom, dusting, hoovering, surfaces, sinks, bleaching etc.

So I guess that sounds pretty good really compared to the £300 quoted to whomovedmychoc.