If you have a cleaning lady....

I think it is a sign from the universe that I am meant to clean my own apt. I hate major cleaning and FI does to so we agreed on a cleaning lady a few months ago. We are good on a day to day basis (for the most part) but tubs and toilets I hate.

Anyway, after having three seperate cleaning women come I realize that I just need to clean my own place. I have a hard time being firm with someone cleaning my place I think. I feel bad or something. It's silly. We live in a 1BR apt with a tiny bathroom, large LR and Kitchen in Queens and the last woman was charging $70. I guess that's standard NY prices even though my friend living in West palm beach has a 3BR house cleaned for $85. I digress.

The first few times the last one did a shoddy job so I went over what I would like to be done and she still was not doing basic- like moving the toaster and cleaning the crumbs. She would just wipe down the counter. I didn't care. She broke our ceramic cottonball/q-tip thing in the bathroom, I didn't care. I noticed that one of my necklaces was broken on mydresser. I didn't care. She then broke our french press when she was washing it. I think I'm done.

How much do you pay for a cleaning person if you have one?

We don't have one right now. I have been looking into it though.. I have a four bedroom two and a half bath. It is pretty big. And I was quoted 75 dollars every two weeks. So, 125 a month.

We pay $180 a month, but we have a 2500 square foot home...5 bedrooms and three baths.

She comes twice a month and is awesome!

hey! we live in Phila and pay $125 for a 2bed place.

here is a list of questions i have for hiring a cleaner (i got it from a magazine a long time ago). the best suggestion i have is to write out your expectations and have them sign them that way you don't have expectations that are not being met.

THINGS TO ASK A HOUSE CLEANER:

*Do you bring your own equipment and cleaning supplies, or will we have to provide them?

*Will you ever bring someone with you?

*What if you're sick? Will you send someone else, or will we have to wait until your next scheduled visit?

*Do you have a green card or a work Visa?

*Are you bonded & insured with liability coverage?

*How do you like to be contacted? phone? email?

*Could we talk to other people you clean for?

*Here is a list of our expectations...

Yari- $90- I'm in shock!

Alyssa those are great questions. Thanks!

Our cleaning lady quoted us $20/hr. The 1st time she came it took her 3 hours to clean our 2 story home (approx 1800 sq.ft.) and that has remained pretty constant. She comes 2x/month so thats $120/month. My mom cleans homes also and this is what she charges.

The 1st couple of times I had requests re: things she missed or that I would like her to do, and have had no problems since. WONDERFUL INVESTMENT...I wish I had a live in maid!

I have a 1400 sq. foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhome and my lady charges $80 every 2 weeks. She is also a "green" cleaner, so she only uses natural cleaning products, so I think she charges a little more than the other cleaners in the area.

We don't have one...but, my parents do. They have a 2,400 sq. foot home and they pay $50 a week. She comes once a week. But, she is the daughter of one of my mom's friends so my mom leaves her weekly things to clean.

Mines comes twice a week and I pay her $20 each day.. so that's $160 a month

Oh but I live in Mexico, that's why it's cheaper! heheh