Employing a cleaner

[slipperandpjsmum]

Our house is currently cleaned through an agency but I would like to employ someone directly. I saw an ad in our local newsagents for someone advertising their cleaning services and have made arrangements for the lady to come round on Fri. Does anyone have any suggestions on the kind of things I should ask/need to find out Thanks.

You need to ask about references and whether she has any insurance.

I was in this situation a few yaers back when my old cleaner retired and I put an advert in the paper.

Have a list of questions to ask at interview but trust your instincts.

Most cleaners will not have insurance and will wnat cash in hand.

Make sure you take verbal refernces.ie speak to a real person abut honesty and relaibility.

Gosh sorry typing is AWOl tonight!

I am a cleaner and I don't have insurance. I am self employed and have references from other clients. I would agree with dicksbird and trust your instinct, you have to find them easy to communicate with so you can ask them to do certain jobs and you need to be on the same 'clean' level. Some cleaners I know (more often have replaced, not having an inflated ego in reference to my spectacular cleaning abilities, just what my employers have said ;)) don't clean windows, or forget skirting boards or finger prints on cupboards, if this is important to you, make sure your talking the same standards.
Does that make any sense, whats in my head is very helpful and useful, what I've written is a bit drivelly!!

When I employed my last cleaner I sent her a really prescriptive list of what I wanted her to do. That way everyone knows where they stand - things that might seem obvious to you won't necessarily seem so to anyone else. Also think about things that need doing every week and the things that you would like done but not so frequently i.e. cleaning windows, cleaning cupboards in the kitchen etc etc.

Make sure you specify a trial period to begin with.

Most issues I have heard of relate to people not actually putting in the hours they are paid for.

Ask who else they work for and for how long. My (wonderful) cleaner has worked for other employers for 10 years or so, and only had a couple of free slots in the week.

Go with your instincts, and ask how they normally organise their work - do they like to set up their own routine, or do they prefer a list each week of what needs done. Do they mind if you leave a note for particular things to be done that day?

Ensure references are accompanied by a landline number for you to speak with the person providing the reference.

None of my cleaners have had insurance. It hasn't been a problem.