How much would you pay someone to clean your house?

[mizzy25]

Serious question.
If you were working full time and didn't have time to clean your house. How much would you be prepared to pay a cleaner (or 2 cleaners) to come and do the hard work for you?

[mizzy25]

P.s the house is a practically new house but is in between 2 busy main roads and its 3 bedroomed.

[Verbal]

I have a cleaner, once a week. £50 a month.

I'm related to said cleaner though, an agency would be much more expensive.

[mizzy25]

£50 a month that's not much, how many hours do they do for that?

[Livia]

I wouldn't want a cleaner. I'm quite protective of my own space.

[mizzy25]

Ah just seen the bit where you are related to said cleaner. If you weren't related?

[Niamh.]

I wouldn't want a cleaner. I'm quite protective of my own space.

Yeah, same here, i would hate some stranger going through my things

[mizzy25]

By the way I am the cleaner, I work @ the moment for an agency but Im branching out with my sister and I have a quote on Tues. Help.

[smudgie]

I would pay a cleaner £20/£25 a week to come and do 3 hours.

My sister in law pays way more than that.

[mizzy25]

Yeah, same here, i would hate some stranger going through my things
I would never go through my customers things unless they specifically asked me to. ie Sort out a wardrobe or something.

[mizzy25]

I would pay a cleaner £20/£25 a week to come and do 3 hours.

My sister in law pays way more than that.

Thanks smudgie that's very helpful. Do you know how much your sister in law pays?

[smudgie]

By the way I am the cleaner, I work @ the moment for an agency but Im branching out with my sister and I have a quote on Tues. Help.

Depends on where you live.
If you are doing the same work for an agency now, you could probably add another third to your hourly wage.

[Ammi]

..I would just clean it myself..is this for you mizzy..?...you could probably look up what would be the right amount to pay..?...

[mizzy25]

By the way I am the cleaner, I work @ the moment for an agency but Im branching out with my sister and I have a quote on Tues. Help.

for ammi

[mizzy25]

Depends on where you live.
If you are doing the same work for an agency now, you could probably add another third to your hourly wage.

thanks again smudgie your being very helpful

[Niamh.]

I would never go through my customers things unless they specifically asked me to. ie Sort out a wardrobe or something.

I'm not saying you would lol (but I'm sure some do) I just wouldn't fancy it

[Livia]

Yeah, same here, i would hate some stranger going through my things

Bless you for answering Niamh... I was beginning to think no one could see my posts today! I feel cleansed.

My Mum had a cleaner for a while when we were at school because she worked full time like my Dad. But it was pointless. She used to say she had to hurry up and get home because the cleaner was coming the next day and she wanted to make sure the house was all neat and tidy.

[smudgie]

Thanks smudgie that's very helpful. Do you know how much your sister in law pays?

She has rather a large house, has two ladies come in once a week through the agency and it is about £70 I think. They work 3/4 hours and do windows etc as well. This is in the North East and would probably cost way more down South.
You might be abler get some info on google.
Good luck with the business, I did the exact same thing when my kids were at school. I tended to clean for teachers and refused to work in the school holidays.

[Verbal]

Ah just seen the bit where you are related to said cleaner. If you weren't related?

Before my relative said that she would do it, I employed an agency for about 3 weeks. A major pain in the ass. They would only do a certain amount of hours and nothing less. They would moan about anything and everything and would flat out refuse to do certain things/rooms. I think I had them to come once every 10 days or so. But they would only to about 5 hours a time minimum, or something stupid. Think I was being charged £60+ a month.

5 hours a time is a joke really, I live in a flat. My relative does it all in about 90 minutes. She must have been sat here drinking coffee and watching TV all morning.

[Niamh.]

Bless you for answering Niamh... I was beginning to think no one could see my posts today! I feel cleansed.

My Mum had a cleaner for a while when we were at school because she worked full time like my Dad. But it was pointless. She used to say she had to hurry up and get home because the cleaner was coming the next day and she wanted to make sure the house was all neat and tidy.

:laugh2:

That's funny but yeah i would be a bit like that too I think I'd be mortified if someone called and the house was a mess even if it was the person who was being paid to clean it lol

[Verbal]

Bless you for answering Niamh... I was beginning to think no one could see my posts today! I feel cleansed.

My Mum had a cleaner for a while when we were at school because she worked full time like my Dad. But it was pointless. She used to say she had to hurry up and get home because the cleaner was coming the next day and she wanted to make sure the house was all neat and tidy.

:joker: I do that. I do absolutely no housework all week. They day before she comes I put things in order.

[mizzy25]

She has rather a large house, has two ladies come in once a week through the agency and it is about £70 I think. They work 3/4 hours and do windows etc as well. This is in the North East and would probably cost way more down South.
You might be abler get some info on google.
Good luck with the business, I did the exact same thing when my kids were at school. I tended to clean for teachers and refused to work in the school holidays.

Im in the north east, Newcastle. I know what the agency charges who I work for but then I also know what I do in the 2 hours Im given and its mainly just the basics without windows etc. Like I say it will be 2 of us so wont take as long. I guess Il have to see what the house is like, what she wants done and how often. it might be weekly which would be fab, fortnightly or monthly. Ive had a look online and the only agency that gives a price is the one I currently work for. I have a friend who does it herself she has done for 7 years now, but shes not much help to me, just says depends on the size the house etc

[mizzy25]

Before my relative said that she would do it, I employed an agency for about 3 weeks. A major pain in the ass. They would only do a certain amount of hours and nothing less. They would moan about anything and everything and would flat out refuse to do certain things/rooms. I think I had them to come once every 10 days or so. But they would only to about 5 hours a time minimum, or something stupid. Think I was being charged £60+ a month.

5 hours a time is a joke really, I live in a flat. My relative does it all in about 90 minutes. She must have been sat here drinking coffee and watching TV all morning.

That's ridiculous the agency I work for its a minimum of 2 hours. A flat yes Id say easy 2 hours @ the most depending on the size of the flat. Id never refuse to do a room.

[Ammi]

for ammi

..oh sorry lol..I'll have to start reading threads...hmmm, I guess it varies in different areas but someone I know pays £10 an hour....

[Cherie]

Mizzy I would say about 7 to 8 pounds an hour would be a reasonable rate.

[mizzy25]

:joker: I do that. I do absolutely no housework all week. They day before she comes I put things in order.

I do an elderly lady once a fortnight Im there for 2 hours I swear its the cleanest bungalow Ive ever seen. I have to clean things that are already sparkling. Only things that get remotely dirty is the bottom of her shower and she likes her sofa hovered. Ive started doing her friend and shes almost as clean now. 1st lady I know does it all before I get there except the shower and the sofa lol

[mizzy25]

..oh sorry lol..I'll have to start reading threads...hmmm, I guess it varies in different areas but someone I know pays £10 an hour....

Thanks ammi that's very helpful although we wont charge by the hour it will be by the house.

[Verbal]

That's ridiculous the agency I work for its a minimum of 2 hours. A flat yes Id say easy 2 hours @ the most depending on the size of the flat. Id never refuse to do a room.

I was quite lucky really, they had it in the small print of their contract that you could cancel it within the first month if you put it in writing. So I binned them. Or I would have been stuck with them for 6 months. I had one of them even refuse to clean my flat full stop! I guess they're used to cleaning the big luxury houses and not pokey two bedroom flats. :joker:

[mizzy25]

Mizzy I would say about 7 to 8 pounds an hour would be a reasonable rate. As there will be two of us doing it we will charge by the house not by the hour. Thanks though.

[mizzy25]

I was quite lucky really, they had it in the small print of their contract that you could cancel it within the first month if you put it in writing. So I binned them. Or I would have been stuck with them for 6 months. I had one of them even refuse to clean my flat full stop! I guess they're used to cleaning the big luxury houses and not pokey two bedroom flats. :joker:
SNOBS! that's just bloody cheeky!

[mizzy25]

So £30 to £40 depending in what needs done isn't unreasonable?

[smudgie]

Im in the north east, Newcastle. I know what the agency charges who I work for but then I also know what I do in the 2 hours Im given and its mainly just the basics without windows etc. Like I say it will be 2 of us so wont take as long. I guess Il have to see what the house is like, what she wants done and how often. it might be weekly which would be fab, fortnightly or monthly. Ive had a look online and the only agency that gives a price is the one I currently work for. I have a friend who does it herself she has done for 7 years now, but shes not much help to me, just says depends on the size the house etc

I used to do either two hourly or three hourly stints. Set out from the start what you will or won't do. I refused point blank to do ouside windows or cookers.
Decide on your hourly rate, then work at a steady pace, do not work flat out. Some weeks may vary from others, washing down paintworks etc. I used to finish the work and then stand and Iron until my time was up. Had very happy customers and done it for about 8 years until I packed in through health issues.

People do tend to tidy up a bit beforehand so that the cleaner can actually clean.:hugesmile:

[mizzy25]

I used to do either two hourly or three hourly stints. Set out from the start what you will or won't do. I refused point blank to do ouside windows or cookers.
Decide on your hourly rate, then work at a steady pace, do not work flat out. Some weeks may vary from others, washing down paintworks etc. I used to finish the work and then stand and Iron until my time was up. Had very happy customers and done it for about 8 years until I packed in through health issues.

People do tend to tidy up a bit beforehand so that the cleaner can actually clean.:hugesmile:

Ive got one that doesn't clean @ all inbetween me going fortnightly its a single bloke lol

[smudgie]

Ive got one that doesn't clean @ all inbetween me going fortnightly its a single bloke lol

:joker: charge him double...it will take twice as long to clean. This is why you need to charge by the hour. If two of you are doing it, it takes only half as long but you need to double the hourly rate.

[Verbal]

So £30 to £40 depending in what needs done isn't unreasonable?

Looking around after a quick google search £10 an hour seems to be the going rate. If you're charging per house I would do a flate rate of £40/50 per job. It would largely depend on where you live though, as others have said. Someone in London would probably pay 3 times more than someone in Wales or oop North without batting an eyelid.

[Verbal]

Ive got one that doesn't clean @ all inbetween me going fortnightly its a single bloke lol

Do I know you? lol

[Cherie]

As there will be two of us doing it we will charge by the house not by the hour. Thanks though.

Oh okay I have had a cleaner in now and again after we have had building work done, they charge by the hour, if you charge an hourly rate you could be more flexible in that if once a month or so they want the oven or the windows done then there is no more negotiation just the number of hours worked would increase.

[mizzy25]

:joker: charge him double...it will take twice as long to clean. This is why you need to charge by the hour. If two of you are doing it, it takes only half as long but you need to double the hourly rate.

makes a lot of sense so if I have a vague idea of how long it would take me ie if I thought it would take me 3 hours it would take 2 of us an hour and half so Id say £30 for 3 hours just for me but with 2 of us an hour and half but we still charge £30 + £15 each for an hour and a halfs work. Its either going to be £30 or £40 I think.

[mizzy25]

Do I know you? lol

lol I hope not :joker:

[mizzy25]

Oh okay I have had a cleaner in now and again after we have had building work done, they charge by the hour, if you charge an hourly rate you could be more flexible in that if once a month or so they want the oven or the windows done then there is no more negotiation just the number of hours worked would increase.

I do see your point, but what if it was a really easy day and we had said we would be there 3 hours but for some reason we were finished within 2 hours, we would have to stay the 3 hours. I know my mate whose done it for 7 years charges by the house not the hour and some days she has an easy day other she doesn't. I suppose its like when you are a boss @ work on a good wage but you don't get paid overtime etc but you do get paid a good salary. Il have think about it though Ive got till Tues, heck she may not even want us.lol

[Kizzy]

By the way I am the cleaner, I work @ the moment for an agency but Im branching out with my sister and I have a quote on Tues. Help.

Do you drive mizzy? if so I say go for it branch out on your own. My niece has her own cleaning business, scout about for grant/advice/help with start up costs.
You could message some established business out of your area, if your not in competition they might give you a few pointers.
I will message my neice and ask how she quotes new clients, think it's minimum 10hrs £10ph no half hours but not sure...
Just keep everything! things you buy for the business, get and give reciepts for all transactions.
Good luck! :D

[mizzy25]

thanks kizzy, yes I do drive, Im still working for the agency as well until I can get a few customers of my own, sadly I cant take theirs as I signed a contract saying I wouldn't lol

[Cherie]

If you charge by the house, then it is like asking how long is a piece of string really, as it may be minimilist or packed to the rafters with nick knacks, if they have dogs or children or dogs and children etc...at any rate it sounds like you are doing the right thing to branch out on your own good luck.

[Josy]

The agency you work for atm is probably charging around £10-£12 per hour for you and then paying you about £6 - £7.

Working for them saves you from having to pay your own insurance, buy your own cleaning products and tools etc.

So if you are doing it for yourself you need to pay your own public liability insurance (you can get this for less than £10 per month) and your own tools & cleaning products.

Work out how much you want to work for per hour, factor in the cost of your insurance and cleaning tools/products then figure out a realistic quote, don't cut yourself short just to get the contract or you will regret it in the long run.

You will also need to inform the tax office that you are self employed and keep all receipts, bank statements etc for when you fill in your self assessment.


I forgot to add - A lot of cleaning companies work out quotes by the size of the property.

[mizzy25]

If you charge by the house, then it is like asking how long is a piece of string really, as it may be minimilist or packed to the rafters with nick knacks, if they have dogs or children or dogs and children etc...at any rate it sounds like you are doing the right thing to branch out on your own good luck.

aha I never thought of that. I have 3 dogs that live in the house so I see where you are coming from. Thanks.

[mizzy25]

The agency you work for atm is probably charging around £10-£12 per hour for you and then paying you about £6 - £7.

Working for them saves you from having to pay your own insurance, buy your own cleaning products and tools etc.

So if you are doing it for yourself you need to pay your own public liability insurance (you can get this for less than £10 per month) and your own tools & cleaning products.

Work out how much you want to work for per hour, factor in the cost of your insurance and cleaning tools/products then figure out a realistic quote, don't cut yourself short just to get the contract or you will regret it in the long run.

You will also need to inform the tax office that you are self employed and keep all receipts, bank statements etc for when you fill in your self assessment.


I forgot to add - A lot of cleaning companies work out quotes by the size of the property.

Although I work for an agency I am classed as self employed so the tax office already know this. Thanks for the advice Il bear all this in mind when I do the quote.

[anne666]

Hope you don't mind me joining in. The main thing is to undercut the opposition in business. If you know the hourly rate the agency charges that's your guide.

[mizzy25]

Hope you don't mind me joining in. The main thing is to undercut the opposition in business. If you know the hourly rate the agency charges that's your guide.

Of course not anne any jhelp is much appreciated. Ive been having a look @ the houses online as they are new you can view them. They look pretty much a similar size to my own and I would personally pay between £30 and £40 to have mine cleaned. So I think if its weekly she wants Il be quoting £30 to £35 fornightly will be a bit more possibly £45 and if its monthly Il have to think about it.

[michael21]

Serious question.
If you were working full time and didn't have time to clean your house. How much would you be prepared to pay a cleaner (or 2 cleaners) to come and do the hard work for you?

£30 per week

[mizzy25]

thanks michael

[anne666]

Of course not anne any jhelp is much appreciated. Ive been having a look @ the houses online as they are new you can view them. They look pretty much a similar size to my own and I would personally pay between £30 and £40 to have mine cleaned. So I think if its weekly she wants Il be quoting £30 to £35 fornightly will be a bit more possibly £45 and if its monthly Il have to think about it.

That sounds Ok and if you know it's below an agencies rate go for it. As long as you've factored in your own costs of course.

[Kizzy]

Excellent advice from josy about the insurance, thats a must.
I would look around the property too first, you don't wat to be blamed for any breakages/stains that were there before you started, make a note of any.
Vistaprint do cards cheap too I think :)

[mizzy25]

Excellent advice from josy about the insurance, thats a must.
I would look around the property too first, you don't wat to be blamed for any breakages/stains that were there before you started, make a note of any.
Vistaprint do cards cheap too I think :)

thanks kizzy I never thought of looking for breakages etc. I know vista print do cards but I did my own flyers and I think my brother in law can do credit card size cards as well. I really don't want to be working for the agency anymore now. Ive been to work today for a pittance and I know I can get more, I just need some customers now. Theres 2 big newish estates not far from where I live so I think Il target them next. Don't really want to do my own estate as what would happen if I threw a sickie? lol not that I do very often like.

[Kizzy]

thanks kizzy I never thought of looking for breakages etc. I know vista print do cards but I did my own flyers and I think my brother in law can do credit card size cards as well. I really don't want to be working for the agency anymore now. Ive been to work today for a pittance and I know I can get more, I just need some customers now. Theres 2 big newish estates not far from where I live so I think Il target them next. Don't really want to do my own estate as what would happen if I threw a sickie? lol not that I do very often like.

Looks like your off! :D
Theres shops that embroider poloshirts and tabbards have you thought of a name?
'whippet cleaners'? :laugh:
You could offer 10% off the first clean, chemical free cleans, cleans as presents for new mums in your adverts, thought about a website you can start one of them free they're very basic but it's a start?

[mizzy25]

Looks like your off! :D
Theres shops that embroider poloshirts and tabbards have you thought of a name?
'whippet cleaners'? :laugh:
You could offer 10% off the first clean, chemical free cleans, cleans as presents for new mums in your adverts, thought about a website you can start one of them free they're very basic but it's a start?

hi kizzy on my leaflets I just put C & S house cleaning services as Im Carole and my sister is Susan my initials are CC and hers are SS, never thought about whippet cleaners pmsl. That's a great idea about 10% off 1st clean or something like £5.00 off 1st clean. Thankyou.

[mizzy25]

Well went to give the customer a quote today and she would like us to do it once a fortnight on a thurs. So hopefully she will be the start of a few. Going to do another leaflet drop next mon. Im wondering if I should maybe do a badge of some sort to prove who I am, for those who wish to give me a key or anything.

[Kizzy]

Well went to give the customer a quote today and she would like us to do it once a fortnight on a thurs. So hopefully she will be the start of a few. Going to do another leaflet drop next mon. Im wondering if I should maybe do a badge of some sort to prove who I am, for those who wish to give me a key or anything.
Have you got your insurance sorted? Did you think about the embroidered tabards, that would look professional.
Signage for your car might be an idea too, cut the letters yourself from a stencil to cut costs.
Who is responsible for finance, can you do spreadsheets or are you logging things on paper?
Well done on your first contract! :hug:

[mizzy25]

Logging things on paper for the time being, looking into insurance now, Il be in charge of money lol

[mizzy25]

Have got another quote to do on sunday @ 4pm the 1st place we delivered flyers too. wish me luck.

[Josy]

Good luck Mizzy

[King Gizzard]

Mizzy's Mops

[Kizzy]

Have got another quote to do on sunday @ 4pm the 1st place we delivered flyers too. wish me luck.

Good luck mizzy, you're on a roll! :D

[mizzy25]

Mizzy's Mops



Love it lol. thanks for the good luck wishes everyone.:wavey:

[Cherie]

Good luck Miz.

[mizzy25]

went to that house today shes given us a bit to consider the prices for 2 reasons. 1 she probably 1st wants a one off deep clean, then once that's done it will be a weekly clean. So weve considered prices for an absolute age. Its a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom house ( 2 bedrooms rarely get used but still need a quick flick over) and it was quite dusty. She did say she had a cleaner but she was off on the sick for approx. 8 weeks. I think shes either telling a white lie or the said cleaner has been off for a while or she doesn't do a very good job when she is there lol. Anyway Weve decided on the prices so I will ring the lady tommoro, maybe we will be too expensive maybe we wont but we can only try. Oh and she doesn't know if the said cleaner is coming back so this could be temporary for 8 weeks but it could lead to permanent. So fingers crossed guys she wants us. Getting my insurance sorted tomorrow and we are now looking into crb checking as the lady asked us this. Now both me and my sister worked @ a school me for 9 years when I got checked each year but I think they may have ran out now.

[Vicky.]

How it is at the moment, I would give someone a good £100 to sort it out :laugh:

If I was on top of the housework a bit more, probably about £8-10 per hour or so

[Vanessa]

I prefer to do it myself. I may not be the best cleaner, but i do try. :joker:

[mizzy25]

How it is at the moment, I would give someone a good £100 to sort it out :laugh:

If I was on top of the housework a bit more, probably about £8-10 per hour or so

that's exactly what we thought for the *deep clean* £100

[Kizzy]

I don't know, £100 is 10 hours at £10ph .. will it take that long?
unless that is going to be the both of you taking 5hrs it's a bit much, unless that takes into account things that are usually 'extras' (cooker, steam cleaning curtains or treatments for carpet bugs or fleas) Then I would say it was right.

[mizzy25]

Looked online and some places charge a lot more than that for a one off deep clean, this will include everything, oven, windows, doors, skirting boards, bathroom tiles etc etc. If she wants us she wants us if she don't she don't. It is quite dusty what we saw and that was just a quick look.

[mizzy25]

Oh and yes it will take 2 of us a good 5 hours for a one off clean I would say, possibly more.