Useful Links

DangerMouse · 07-12-2007, 07:32 PM

We have someone who comes in every two weeks, stays about 5 hours and we pay her $80. We have a 4 bed, 2ba apt in So. California.

Hiring the housekeeper was the best thing we ever did. No more having to spend our free time doing housework. The free hours we do have are much more enjoyably spent.

Buckeye · 07-12-2007, 09:28 PM

Be sure and get a personal reference on whomever you pick. Apparently, the new scam is to steal the homeowner's identity instead of their stuff. The cleaning person may be from a reputable company and may even be bonded but her boyfriend isn't.

whitestick · 07-13-2007, 12:03 AM

In Dallas area, it seems I pay $50 for 2 hours of time every other week, and I pay for a vacation visit (I pay, she doesn't come), and I pay $50 for a Xmas bonus. Now the only visible, to me, things that she does is vacuum the carpets, mop the kitchen and 3 bathroom floors, and hallway, and apparently do something to the toilets as there is soapy water in them after she leaves. Not sure what else she does, but the real measurement is DW says she sure is glad that Fxxx comes in and it makes her feel better that her house is clean (?). Result DW smiles a lot and thanks me profusely - all in all, seems like a bargain to me.

dex · 07-13-2007, 06:17 AM

I'm a single guy and I don't understand this thread.
My house 2700sq ft. doesn't get so dirty I have to get someone to clean it.
I mean it might take me 30 minutes a month max - excluding laundry.

grumpy · 07-13-2007, 09:02 AM

Here in No. Virginia we found a lady from El Salvador who cleans every two weeks for $90 (cash only, wink, wink). She usually has another lady with her, sometimes two. They spend about 3 hours cleaning our 1800 sq ft house and do a nice job without breaking things. This includes polishing the hardwood floors, vacuuming, etc, but not making the bed. DW is a bit of an obsessive/compulsive so if she is satisfied with the job they do, you know they are good.

We are both retired and could do the cleaning ourselves but I've had back surgery and DW had neck surgery so we decided it was well worth the cost to have someone else do the major cleaning tasks.

Grumpy

bright eyed · 07-13-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex

I'm a single guy and I don't understand this thread.
My house 2700sq ft. doesn't get so dirty I have to get someone to clean it.
I mean it might take me 30 minutes a month max - excluding laundry.

i'll send my kids, dog, their snacks, toys and laundry over for a few days so you can get it...

they're really cute, so if they move some stuff around, drop a few crumbs (which the dog is great for - he cleans em all up right away!) you won't mind...

they just need dinner by 6pm, a bath by 8pm, brush their teeth (brushing 18 mth old's teeth is super fun! ha!) a story and it's nite nite time...eazy peazy

bright eyed · 07-13-2007, 10:20 AM

She came by yesterday and did a total house cleaning (higher price than usual maintenence fee) and i am happy as a clam.

And guess what? i wiped up after myself this morning when the coffee grinds floated out from opening the grinder (which there was a 50/50 chance of before) and my SO made sure all of his little hair droppings from shaving disappeared promptly after. so if we can keep this up for the two weeks between cleanings, there's hope for my house! he he he

cute fuzzy bunny · 07-13-2007, 10:36 AM

I have little, if any hope. But my 2.5 year old LOVES having his teeth brushed.

And he's good about cleaning up. Heck, a little while ago he bought me his diaper with most of the poop still in it. Sigh.

bright eyed · 07-13-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny

I have little, if any hope.

cfb, have we actually met?

cute fuzzy bunny · 07-13-2007, 10:42 AM

We are united in the quiet desperation of parenting small high speed entropy machines.

W2R · 07-13-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex

I'm a single guy and I don't understand this thread.
My house 2700sq ft. doesn't get so dirty I have to get someone to clean it.
I mean it might take me 30 minutes a month max - excluding laundry.

I'm single as well, and to be honest I don't clean any more than you do (other than laundry and dishes). I thought it had something to do with declining visual acuity in my late 50's, combined with low light conditions in my home. Probably my house is really dirty, but I don't see it so it doesn't bother me.

Could it be that I don't see the dirt because it isn't there? Now there's a nice thought.

bright eyed · 07-13-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny

We are united in the quiet desperation of parenting small cute high speed entropy machines.

minor correction...if they weren't cute, the population would rapidly decline...

JohnDoe · 07-13-2007, 11:48 AM

$75 per cleaning for 2800 sq house. Takes about 5 hours and we have service every 2 weeks.

Just today, though, we're switching to once a month to free up some $$ for kids dance lessons. Not to mention $2000 per yr could be a vacation. All about balance.

With both the wife and I working, having the house cleaned is a BIG time safer and it keeps the wifey happy. Having pets and kids it's hard keeping a clean house.

JD

chinaco · 07-13-2007, 04:48 PM

How to retire 2 years sooner. Clean your own house for 25 years.

bright eyed · 07-13-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinaco

How to retire 2 years sooner. Clean your own house for 25 years.

hmm...2 years vs 25...

if you said 2 years gained for every 5 - i'd think a lot harder about it...or at least the weaning off/child labor plan!

Sam · 07-13-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire

Could it be that I don't see the dirt because it isn't there? Now there's a nice thought.

Bigritchie · 07-13-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny

We are united in the quiet desperation of parenting small high speed entropy machines.

My house cleaning expenses cost me 1/2 my net worth! (DW)

cute fuzzy bunny · 07-13-2007, 07:39 PM

You are apparently late for my standard husband advice that 1) your wife is always right, 2) if your wife isnt right, you arent right either, 3) if you're not sure whats going on, apologize immediately and sincerely.

two4theroad · 07-13-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinaco

How to retire 2 years sooner. Clean your own house for 25 years.

I have had the housekeeper longer than the husband....25 years vs. 18 years. I attribute our long happy marriage and successful careers to her care of our home (and laundry). I doubt I would have been able to concentrate and apply myself to my job if I had not had her here. Every hard working couple needs a wife at home! Spending money on housekeeping as opposed to a divorce is a no brainer....
We pay her $200 cash monthly, she averages between $7-10 per hour, gets holidays off with pay and has magazine and leftover priviledges.
Even though we are now retired she still comes, only now we are in her way. I intend to let her decide when she leaves, she is 67 now and still needs the income.
2fer