Housekeepers/maids--how Much Do You Get Cleaned for What Price?

We found a great cleaning lady that cleaned our house every other week for $80. She had to stop due to medical reasons and I haven't tried to find a replacement. Our house is about the same as yours, 3800sqft. She brought her own "natural" cleaning supplies(towels/cleansers) but used our vacuum and mop. She emptied all the trash cans, changed the sheets, picked up stuff off the floor and put them in a pile(kids rooms), vacuumed all carpet, mopped all tile floors, dusted a little(mantles and on occasion the blinds), cleaned bathrooms(wiped down mirrors/sinks, scrubbed toilets, tubs, shower walls), wiped tables, kitchen counters/stove and clean out micromave. She would wash and put away a few dishes like pots, but left the silverware & cups in the sink. She was here about 4 hours and I had my day reserved every other week. It would have been difficult to switch days or weeks as she had other clients and they would have had to switch also. Around holidays, she would have to arrange her schedule and it always worked out for me. I never asked her to change her schedule for me. Everyone has their own terms, but if both of you agree to the terms then you really need to keep your promise and pay her on time. She is doing her job and she depends on the money. I believe most clients were on the every other week type of schedule, but there may have been a few monthly clients. It all depends on what they have available. I talked to several and most came out to our house and gave free estimates. The prices were cheaper per visit if you did the weekly service, but more affordable overall to go with the bi-weekly service.

Hi K.- I have a home about 5,000 sq ft and I pay $130 every other week-
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I used to have one when I was working at our old house. It was 1350 sq. ft, 2 bedrooms / 3 bath. She dusted, mopped, cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed. I paid $50 a month. She came once a month. She was the janitor at the school I used to teach at. She was wonderful. I talked to a few others that advertised in the Park Glen newsletter and they charged $80 for once a month or $50 each for twice a month. She said she charged more for the once a month clean since it was dirtier and she required my dog to be kenneled which would have been an added expense.

Hi K.!

We have a 3100 sf house that we bought out of foreclosure as well. I use a company called Clean Choice on an "as needed" basis. In other words, when I just can't stand my house anymore, I tighten the belt and spend some money on cleaners since I can't afford a "regular" (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) service. Clean Choice charges based on the number of hours you need. So, for instance, when I have them come and the house needs a really good clean, it takes 2 girls 4 hours and costs $129 - that's an 8-hour clean. If I'm only going to need them for a "6-hour clean" it's around $100 I believe and that's 2 girls for 3 hours. A 4-hour clean is less as well. Again, they count it like 2 hours is really 4 'cause they send 2 girls. They once sent 4 girls for 2 hours on an 8-hour clean. Hope that makes sense.

I've never asked them what kind of cleaner they use, but I'm pretty sure it's "natural", like vinegar & water, baking soda, etc. They bring all their own cleaning supplies, vacuum, mop, broom, etc. They ask that you supply trash bags and a step stool or step ladder. You can ask if they would use your cleaners instead if that's something you would require.

These ladies clean pretty much everything. We have 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. We have 3 living areas, 2 dining areas and a laundry room and they clean it all. Essentially, they will do what you want as long as it falls within the time frame they are there. They've washed dishes for me before, changed the linens on the beds, put in a load of laundry. Just whatever needs to be done as long as it's within the time frame you specify.

I will warn you about two things with Clean Choice. First, the ladies they send to clean mostly do not speak English very well. They have a "supervisor" drop them off at your house and then she comes back to pick them up at the specified time. You have to tell the supervisor any specific instructions you want the girls to have and she tells them before she leaves. Like for instance, sometimes I like them to start in the master bathroom and sometimes I like them to start upstairs. If you need them to do something special like you want them to clean the inside of the windows or maybe the inside of a refrigerator or the oven, you need to let the supervisor know so she can tell the cleaners before she leaves. Well, that is unless you know Spanish, and then of course you can tell the ladies yourself. I personally don't know Spanish so once the Supervisor leaves, I just stand out of the way and let them do their thing. The other thing you should know is that if it's on the floor and it's not OBVIOUS that it's something to be kept, it will go in the trash. We've lost some Playstation memory cards and little pieces to Barbies and games that way. Taught my kids a valuable lesson about keeping things off the floor though. :-)

If you're interested in contacting Clean Choice, please PM me and I'll give you their contact info. You can also look under the Local Business Reviews on Mamasource. I have added them to the database there as well. It's been a year since I last used them so definitely ask what they charge since it's quite possible their rates have increased, just like everything else.

Congrats on your new house! :-)