Do you have a cleaner?

Yes, we have a cleaner who comes once a week for three hours. We have quite a large house, three stories, seven bedrooms (not all used as bedrooms!) so she only manages to get around the ground floor. The rest we sort of manage ourselves or on odd weeks ask her to help with particular tasks. Cost is now £15 ph: she uses my cleaning products etc which I prefer.
I've had a cleaning lady for a number of years: pre 2000 I had help for a couple of hours a week because I was doing a new job plus training and had three young children. Since 2000, when I had a hysterectomy I have had help always. Clearly I'm over my op but have osteoarthritis (one hip done, one to go) so frankly just can't get down kneeling or get up on stepladders to reach up high so I'm very happy to provide employment for someone to help me.

Yammy

Fleurpepper

For those who employ cleaners directly, how do you ensure this is done by the book, and not 'on the black' - so that they are covered for insurance, pension, etc.

I could never have a gardener (well, not as long as I am fit enough)- unless it was a real professional who knew about plants, pruning, etc. Most jobbing gardeners have NOT got a clue, and it would drive me mad.

What does it matter as long as they do a good job,clean as you want and your house is as you want it. If you go through an agency, you check they are covered by their insurance.
Do you ask the window cleaner if he is insured? Or realise that if the postman/deliveryman or anyone else slips on your drive you are liable.

because it leaves them so vulnerable in so many ways, and without any rights or protection.

I have a health condition and have had a cleaner for some time now - I used to rely on help from family, but we’re all getting on a bit now !! She comes in once a week for three hours and does a clean down and the heavy jobs I can’t manage. I pay her £50 for each session - she’s self employed and was recommended by word of mouth. I gather the agencies are much more expensive, but I think a personal recommendation is better, as you know what you’re getting.

Gwenisgreat1

I am coming to the conclusion that I need a cleaner, my mobility is in decline, but there is no way I could afford £40 per hour!!

I admit we pay £40 per hour, the fee covers 2 workers, supplies, equipment. They account for NI etc, it's their own cleaning business.

I only posted what we pay because it's a point of reference to those looking to hire. Not entitled, smug, or any other silly judgement. We need help, we pay accordingly. People are employed.

Fleurpepper

For those who employ cleaners directly, how do you ensure this is done by the book, and not 'on the black' - so that they are covered for insurance, pension, etc.

I could never have a gardener (well, not as long as I am fit enough)- unless it was a real professional who knew about plants, pruning, etc. Most jobbing gardeners have NOT got a clue, and it would drive me mad.

My cleaner was recommended by word of mouth and is self employed. She’s also registered for Universal Credit as self employed and receives that benefit based on her earnings from self employment. Her clients pay by bank transfer as she has to declare earnings, and this provides transparency - so not cash in hand and I am not an employer.

kittylester

Baffled by why there is anything wrong with employing someone to help out with tasks one is unable to do, or dislikes doing, is wrong.

We have always had a cleaner and a gardener. We can afford it, it provides employment and gives us more time to volunteer, help with grandchildren etc.

Not entitled at all.

Of course you are correct. Ignore the critical posters.

My cleaner comes once a fortnight for 2 hours, I have a small bungalow, she's marvellous and I wouldn't be without her now.

Gwenisgreat1

I am coming to the conclusion that I need a cleaner, my mobility is in decline, but there is no way I could afford £40 per hour!!

Do you have a health condition for which you can claim a benefit like PIP or Attendance Allowance ? These are benefits intended to cover the extra costs incurred by disability - one of which is someone to clean, if you are no longer able.

We have someone to cut lawns, hedges etc. He is excellent and much in demand round here.

We also occasionally employ a 'jobbing gardener' to weed and yes, he does know the difference between a weed and a plant, he does a good job and whether or not he has a pension is his business. I assume he has enough common sense to sort that out for himself. He is much in demand too.

Sarah74

Larsonsmum

Have never had a cleaner - even when we lived overseas in the 70s and 80s and everyone had House Boys and Amahs. We entertained a lot then too. We are all different, but can’t imagine waiting 1 or 2 weeks to have a toilet cleaned!! This year I have had a Total Hip Replacement and Cataract surgery, but still did everything myself - keeps me moving!

That’s the part I don’t understand. So someone comes in and very efficiently cleans your bathroom - floor, shower, bath, loo, etc. And doesn’t come back for 2 weeks? So obviously you clean in the interim. I think I’d need a cleaner every other day! My DH is like a teenage boy - toothpaste blobs, wet towels left scrunched up, mirror never wiped, etc etc. But I like him

So is mine so I have to keep on top of things in between. My cleaner is so thorough, she even dusts the tops of the doors, pictures, mirrors . I do clean my own kitchen😀.
It’s a very large house, I couldn’t possibly clean it all myself, it’s even bigger than Paddyann54s.

Pammie1

Gwenisgreat1

I am coming to the conclusion that I need a cleaner, my mobility is in decline, but there is no way I could afford £40 per hour!!

Do you have a health condition for which you can claim a benefit like PIP or Attendance Allowance ? These are benefits intended to cover the extra costs incurred by disability - one of which is someone to clean, if you are no longer able.

It’s not £40 an hour. It’s 2 cleaners so you have to divide it by 2.

My cleaner is Polish and she’s fantastic, Two hours a fortnight . She says she loves cleaning. Rarely chats and leaves the flat sparkling. Economical with products and always punctual. A great help to have.

We had a cleaner when I was working but GraffaC decided he could do what she did and stopped going out to work on Mondays & did the cleaning instead. He was far more thorough than she was! I'd like to have a cleaner now as his enthusiasm has wained as he's aged and I hate housework but, if I dare say it - I don't think anyone else has - as things are at the moment, we can't afford it. We probably could if we gave other things up, but we'll carry on muddling along with the cleaning, each doing our own specialities. I don't hoover and he won't do worktops & sinks!

We had cleaners on and off for years when we both worked. Partly health issues, I have CFS and and fibromyalgia so energy can be limited, partly time pressures. When his hours of work reduced Mr C took it over and did an excellent job. Once I finished work we shared the cleaning and still do.

Looking ahead we’ll be searching for a cleaner as health and mobility deteriorate. Mr C has been referred for major surgery, once we know a date finding a cleaner will be top of my list of things to do as I know I’ll not manage it all myself along with the garden. I love gardening, it’s my relaxation time, so no plans to give that up until I can no longer do it. Gardners do cut the grass, a bonus.

Cost-wise around here I think it averages £16/hour if paid direct to the cleaner, more if through an agency.

I'd love a cleaner, as I'm partially sighted and worry that I don't see dust and dirt which may be obvious to others!
I worry about cost, and also about employment law, properly accounting for wages etc.

That would be the cleaners responsibility, as a self employed person, wouldn't it?

LOUISA1523

Humbertbear

We have a cleaner once a week. We are in a five bedroom house and she comes for four hours. It sounds as if you would need 2 hours a week or 3 hours fortnightly depending on whether or not you want her to change the bed. Our cleaner comes in when we are on holiday and does extras k=like cleaning cupboards, the fridge or the oven. I couldn’t manage without her. I didn’t retire to do housework.

Very entitled post 🙄

You clearly have a bee in your bonnet looking at this and your similar comment on another post 🙄 I don’t have a cleaner myself, but there is nothing wrong with Humbertbear’s comment. People prioritise different things in life. Some buy a flash car on retirement, some spend their money on other things.

Fleurpepper

Yammy

Fleurpepper

For those who employ cleaners directly, how do you ensure this is done by the book, and not 'on the black' - so that they are covered for insurance, pension, etc.

I could never have a gardener (well, not as long as I am fit enough)- unless it was a real professional who knew about plants, pruning, etc. Most jobbing gardeners have NOT got a clue, and it would drive me mad.

What does it matter as long as they do a good job,clean as you want and your house is as you want it. If you go through an agency, you check they are covered by their insurance.
Do you ask the window cleaner if he is insured? Or realise that if the postman/deliveryman or anyone else slips on your drive you are liable.

because it leaves them so vulnerable in so many ways, and without any rights or protection.

My gardener has a degree and trained at Kew for her gardening so she certainly knows what she is doing.
As for the covering of insurance you have to do your homework and word of mouth and find a legitimate agency. I can understand where you are coming from, people could be exploited but isn't it the same with anyone who does the jobs we don't want? I always feel sorry for our dustbin men who collect early on bank holiday mornings. My DD who worked for a council said they fight to get the Bank holiday jobs and the extra money they so desperately need.
One year our gutters froze and when the man from the Insurance came and told us what and who we were liable for, we did not feel like letting anyone up our drive again.

I hope the day never comes when I need a cleaner, as I prefer to do the housework myself.

However, it is worth while considering how to make things easier for yourself.

I only have two cupboards that are so tall that I need the steps to clean the tops of them. I can well evisulize the day where I am no longer able to stand on a step-ladder to clean the tops, or to take down the kitchen curtains.

When that day comes I will look for someone who will come twice yearly and spring clean. Until then, I have laid newspaper on the top of the tallest cupboard. It is so much easier just to change the paper than to scrub the greasy dust that accumelates in the kitchen off a surface. I have also made certain that the steps are steady and that there is something to hold onto on the way up and down them.

Our windows are the type that swivel round so you can swivel the outside pane of glass inside the house to polish them. I highly recommend others who are thinking of replacing windows to get this type.
I am seriously considering buying a robot vacuum cleaner, and that is as far as I am willing to go right now as I enjoy housework.

I shall however look for a gardener as soon as DH's pension comes through as neither of us enjoy gardening.

Never had one, but have been one three times in my working life.

I could write a book.

argymargy

Norah

We have weekly cleaning.

Pair of women, their own business. Their supplies.

Two hrs @ £40/hour.

Forty pounds an hour??!!

Well it's not really, is it? Two cleaners, so it's £20 each. (Very much top price but not £40 per hour!)

Why not consider employing a teenager, whether family or known to you, to provide some help? They’ll need direction first of all, perhaps working alongside you, but it’ll start someone off with an understanding that pay = toil.
My daughter ‘did’ for her grandfather once he became frailer. Once a week for two hours, for £10, ten years ago.

Paperbackwriter

argymargy

Norah

We have weekly cleaning.

Pair of women, their own business. Their supplies.

Two hrs @ £40/hour.

Forty pounds an hour??!!

Well it's not really, is it? Two cleaners, so it's £20 each. (Very much top price but not £40 per hour!)

Indeed.

Quite reasonable. I've no idea why they'd come out, bring supplies and equipment for any less.

I have never had a cleaner but I’m now at the point in life where I think I would benefit from having one.

I've been one, at different times.
I would have one.

I have one coming next week for the first time.