How did you find your housecleaner?

15 years ago

I know it's a little OT, but... how did you find your cleaning lady/person? Especially if you have an individual. I'm not interested in a service (like Merry Maids or whatever) because 1) my house is in a constant state of remodeling construction; and 2) in the past I've found that they are too rushed and don't give enough personal attention to detail. They just want to run in, vacuum as quick as possible, wave a rag around and dash out in 30 minutes or less. I want to find someone who will work with me, stay at least an entire half-day or longer and do things that services may find unconventional (like folding clothes or putting away books/toys).

My mother has a fabulous houselady that she's had for years, and I want someone like her but she's 1000 miles away.

I thought about craigslist, but that seems inherently risky to me. Most of the friends I've asked just use those commercial services. So, where should I look to find someone safe, honest and reliable? Do these types of cleaning people exist anymore? Are there agencies for this?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

biochem101
15 years ago
It may depend what part of the country you are in...not sure if this will help. I got mine from my neighbor across the street. If anyone on your block has somebody coming in I would suggest talking to them first.

Mine are Russian and in my area there are a lot of Russians that have cleaning services. They often leave little handmade flyers in the mailbox. I have found them very thorough cleaners. The woman who runs the operation drops them off at your house and they are there for half a day (4 hours) until she picks them up. But you might get different people, and they don't all speak english.

YMMV
0
plllog
15 years ago
I was at a party where one of the guests was a fixer. A PA or similar with a head full of contacts. She was passing out post-its as party favors. (Not literally, but so it seemed.) To me, she gave a placement agency with top quality, screened workers. The first one was good, but didn't work out after a couple of weeks. The second one has been with me for years and now works for my folks too. The fees were worth every penny (my folks hired her through the agency too, as a matter of ethics).
0
Related Discussions
Your Own Housecleaning Habits
Q
Comments (21)
I'm back, and I made a tentative schedule for myself. You're right, because there are more people and animals in my house, your exact schedule will not work for me. But I used the idea of it, and expanded, so I will start with this. As time goes on I think I will add to it. All of these things I already do, though not often enough. Having it written down will help me alot, so I thank you. This list is in addition to laundry and dishes, which I have to do daily in my house. I average one to two loads of laundry a day, and wash dishes once or twice also. So here's my new cleaning schedule: Cleaning Schedule Daily Sunday Clean bathroom. Sweep hallway and living room. Pick up clutter in hotspots Clean sinks. Monday Dust surfaces throughout home. Dust television and computer screens. Pick up clutter throughout home. Clean sinks. Swish toilet Clean old food out of fridge and wipe areas you can see. Tuesday Clean out car. Vacuum with shop vac. Clean sinks. Swish toilet. Clean kitchen floor with rag on hands and knees to get in the corners. Wednesday Clean bathroom. Sweep hallway and living room. Pick up clutter in hotspots. Thursday Sweep/mop throughout home. Pick up clutter. Clean counters thoroughly and wipe with bleach if necessary. Clean sinks. Swish toilet. Friday Clean off dryer and wipe down washer and dryer with bleach cleaner. Sweep laundry area. Clean sinks. Swish toilet. Clean bathroom mirror if needed. Saturday Dust surfaces throughout home. Vacuum carpeted areas Shampoo carpets as necessary. Clean sinks. Swish toilet. Pick one drawer or cabinet in the home and clean it. Monthly Week One: Clean ceiling fans Week Two: Clean all doors throughout home Week Three: Clean windows Week Four: Take everything out of refrigerator and thoroughly clean fridge, inside and out.
...See More
OT- How did you find your housekeeper?
Q
Comments (28)
LOL Poohpup, I would be on board with that. Anyone who wants to sign up to cook, let me know :) dilly_ny and doc8404 we don't belong to a church. I guess we could call the closest church to us and see if they have any leads or allow job postings... oceangirl67, no it is a Miele. Does this disqualify me from hiring help? Is no one going to want to be my housekeeper now, LOL :( beekeeperswife I found two people who do the chef service and we may still go that route and have them do dinners at least. I just thought it would be nice to have one person who did everything. May not be possible or the best route to get the best food though... linelle, LOL, I've been eating raw cookie dough, brownie batter and cake batter for 20+ years now and I am still alive. I almost always have a bowl of batter or cookie dough in my fridge. My ex used to call it my "bacteria bowl." biochem101 we don't want to eat out. It is not very healthy. We want homecooked meals w/ all organic ingredients. We just don't want to make them! We also don't really have a lot of neighbors.The number of houses in our development is restricted and there are only 4 lots built on and they are large lots on acreage so it's not like just going up and ringing the neighbor's doorbell. We did ask our one neighbor next door who we met and she does her own cleaning. Thanks for the links lazygardens. We would need someone to specifically cook for us, not just a general delivery-of-meals b/c I'm very picky about foods I like and since DF is picky about ingredients and organic. But there are two people we found who customize the menus and come to the house to cook a week, or two weeks or a month worth of food at a time. It seems like that might be a better option but that leaves me to do breakfast (and maybe lunch) every day, which I didn't really want.
...See More
How was YOUR Christmas - what did you get - did you have fun?
Q
Comments (1)
I had a very quiet Christmas, and just as well because it was a stinking hot day (35C at 7am!) and there was no energy to breathe, much less anything else. My son and his lady came for breakfast, the first of many visits they had scheduled for the day. This was just fine by me. I got them when they were full of Christmas spirit, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and by the time they left their appetites were ruined for everyone else's food! The best part of the breakfast was that THEY did all the cooking - I just 'supervised' and provided the food. We had a lot of fun and laughter together exchanging our little gifts, and when they left, I was able to recuperate by sleeping most of the day in front of the fan, or beginning to read one of the several books they gave me (from a list I'd prepared of Must Haves). My sleep was, however, disturbed by a number of phone calls from interstate friends, all very welcome. And in the evening a friend visited, ostensibly to watch Dancesport on TV with me (we are both into ballroom dancing), but mostly to escape her rowdy family at home after a mountain of a day. (She often uses my place as a refuge when things get A Bit Much.) In between these interuptions, I had the opportunity of watching all those silly little Christmas shows on TV. You know, Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy and so on. I have a sneaking liking for these little things - maybe I'm in my second childhood! All very pleasant indeed, thank you.
...See More
If you hired a designer, how did you find them, and how did it go?
Q
Comments (17)
Thank you guys! blfenton, you are right! I want this to be an updated midcentury. I actually want the bathroom to look contemporary modern, with lots of white-clean, modern, and bright. The exterior will replicate the mcm architecture but the interior will be more updated. I am really stuck on the floors and very nervous because I want to do the whole house in one floor type. kwsl2-That acutally sounds like fun. I wouldnt want to pay to fly someone out here though. I have called a few places so far. One was recommended by a store, but they dont do residential properties. Another one I called only does multimillion dollar homes and wasnt interested. I called a couple other places, but havent gotten a return call. I called an architectural firm whose work I really like, but they do their own work and didnt know of anyone. I am also nervous about the cost. A lot of the stuff I see online is very expensive multimillion dollar traditional/farmhouse style homes. Maybe these places are expecting calls from builders or architects and not homeowners?
...See More
Related Professionals
Baltimore Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · King of Prussia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Midvale Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · North Versailles Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · San Jacinto Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Schenectady Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Allouez Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Honolulu Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Linton Hall Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Salinas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Spanish Springs Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Tempe Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Daly City Cabinets & Cabinetry · Watauga Cabinets & Cabinetry · Boise Design-Build Firms
countrygal_905
15 years ago
I gave birth to them. :)
0
beekeeperswife
15 years ago
countrygal--touche'
0
Fori
15 years ago
I found mine in college...
0
jeri
15 years ago
Word-of-Mouth is the best way. Ask your friends and neighbors Â the people who think like you. My best friend is just like me, so I knew I could trust and be happy with the person she uses Â and I am.

I just went through this Â and it has been an eye opener. There is also a long thread over in the "Cleaning Tips" Forum (might have to search for it now). What surprised me is the cost! I donÂt want something for nothing Â but $20-$40 per hour? This is unskilled labor and under the table for the most part.
0
latimore
15 years ago
Are there any colleges nearby? A school near us offers a list of students interested in part-time work; it can be obtained through the career center. College students usually have fairly flexible schedules and are always looking to make a little extra money...
0
3katz4me
15 years ago
I got a referral from someone in my neighborhood. I've had this individual now for probably 15 years. She is delightful and has become a friend of our family. Good individual housecleaners are expensive where I live. I think this may be due to the fact we do not have a large population of immigrant people doing this work - at least none that have ever been referred to me.

My housecleaner has a key to my house and I'm never there when she is. I'm willing to pay a premimum for someone I can trust in that situation who also does a great job.
0
jsweenc
15 years ago
ROFL, countrygal! I make my children do their chores especially well before my friend who cleans for me comes over.

I didn't really know her before she started cleaning for me, but our children are on the same swim team and I overheard her saying one day she had to go to work and I asked her what she did. She gave me a card and about 6 months later started working for us. She cleans DH's office too.

Agreed, word-of-mouth is the best way.

20-40 must be pretty much the norm. We pay $75 for about 3 hours.
0
fleur222
15 years ago
I married mine! (Kidding!) I am the housecleaner and I do it for free!
0
plllog
15 years ago
The hourly rate is less if you're paying for a whole day, and the daily rate is less if you're paying for a whole week.

Also, straight cleaning costs less than housekeeping (tidying, laundry, etc.), which costs less than full charge (includes errands, supervising of staff, possibly some cooking or childcare).

If you're employing someone directly, instead of paying a service, it costs a lot less, but then you do have to fill out the Social Security forms and send in the SS taxes for both employer and employee contribution. It's not hard, but required. You don't have to do withholding until you meet a minimum annual salary paid, which is usually more than one day a week.

I think doing the paperwork and having a single, reliable employee who does things the way you like them is worth doing the paperwork.
0
Fori
15 years ago
Me too, fleur!
0
jeri
15 years ago
But I just donÂt get it! $20-$40 net for unskilled labor - in this economy? (Shaking head) Â I just donÂt get it...
0
greenhousems
15 years ago
Recommended by someone in church. She is trustworthy and has a key. She can make her own hours. I pay $60-$80 for about 3 hours.A good cleaner is worth their weight in gold. When you walk through that door and your house is clean and polished the feeling is priceless. Cleaning is not an easy job; (well, not for me!! - plus I work a busy full time job). I always feed my cleaner nice lunches and she does not drive so I offer her rides wherever she is going when she is done.
0
maggiemuffin360
15 years ago
Ours had an 'ad' posted on the bulletin board in a nearby corner store. We were looking for someone at the time, so we called her, 'interviewed' her, had her do some spring cleaning and then decided that we liked her. She's been cleaning for us on a regular basis ever since and we are delighted with her work.
She quoted a price to do the work that we want, so its on a job basis rather than an hourly basis.
0
User
15 years ago
I do my own too....but DH "pays" LOL, although he is so willing to pay that I am not SURE this is seen as a debt he hates.

I used a payed person, actually a woman and her daughter...this would have been 1992 or so...they stole 3 kittens and my kids rock collection which contained several arrowheads that had been authenticated . We were all so bummed that I have never let another person in my home to clean. Noone does it like I do and since it is just the 2 of us in 4000 sq ft I divide up the house into parts and do them in sequence. Works for now.

I know people that pay $10 per hr to illegals who do not speak English...no comment on this as it would get me removed from the GW...
0
User
15 years ago
I do my own too....but DH "pays" LOL, although he is so willing to pay that I am not SURE this is seen as a debt he hates.

I used a payed person, actually a woman and her daughter...this would have been 1992 or so...they stole 3 kittens and my kids rock collection which contained several arrowheads that had been authenticated . We were all so bummed that I have never let another person in my home to clean. Noone does it like I do and since it is just the 2 of us in 4000 sq ft I divide up the house into parts and do them in sequence. Works for now.

I know people that pay $10 per hr to illegals who do not speak English...no comment on this as it would get me removed from the GW...
0
weissman
15 years ago
>>>If you're employing someone directly, instead of paying a >>>service, it costs a lot less, but then you do have to fill >>>out the Social Security forms and send in the SS taxes for >>>both employer and employee contribution. It's not hard, >>>but required.

Yup, and you're also required to pay use tax/sales tax on items that you buy on the Internet and out-of-state :-)
0
jejvtr
15 years ago
We got ours word of mouth from a friend. She is definitely worth her weight in gold as another poster put it. She is efficient and meticulous. Wipes all surfaces, climbs on stool to reach what is out of reach, washes sheets/makes beds, floors,takes gas range apart,picks up, folds, dusts, rugs - about 5hrs every other week for $90 - Seems like we have a bargain based on what I read above. I also give her gently used items that would otherwise go to Goodwill
If we are away I give her a key, she cks the house, waters the plants
0

How did you find your housecleaner?

Comments (19)

biochem101

plllog

Related Discussions

Related Professionals

countrygal_905

beekeeperswife

Fori

jeri

latimore

3katz4me

jsweenc

fleur222

plllog

Fori

jeri

greenhousems

maggiemuffin360

User

User

weissman

jejvtr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US