freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927 
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Post by freebird on Aug 26, 2014 18:06:14 GMT
I'm a pretty private person in general, I don't let a lot of people into my home really. I do need to hire a housekeeper I think. I just want the basics done once a week. Vacuum, dust the main areas, mop the floor, wipe down my counters and clean bathrooms.
I know lots of people are willing to do it at reasonable prices. I just don't know who to trust! How did you find someone you trust? I don't want someone that'll get lazy or steal stuff from me (I do have some nice things and I don't want to leave them locked up all the time.)
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 11, 2024 0:32:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2014 18:13:49 GMT
I asked friends and co-workers for referrals. The lady I have now works for several of us in the same office. We all love her. Most of us are home, or have someone home, when she arrives. However, I have left her and her helper there unattended often while they are working. There haven't been any issues.
If there is something I don't want messed with, I just tuck it away for the time she's there. Honestly, it's not really much and has never been an issue.
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Aug 26, 2014 18:15:54 GMT
Word of mouth. Ask your friends and family who they use. One lady does all of my family's and my sister in law's family houses because she's that good and worth every penny (she's expensive but popular). My sister in a different city needed a housekeeper and just asked her friends. She has one that does a great job, despite the new house.
ETA: Everyone leaves when the housekeeper comes over. Everyone I know thinks they just get in the way when she's there. No one's ever reported theft.
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Aug 26, 2014 18:19:35 GMT
We found one by referral also. Once they've worked for someone you know for a while, they should be ok for you. I'm a private person also and don't really enjoy sharing my space but I'd rather have someone here than clean the house myself.
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 26, 2014 18:23:53 GMT
Word of mouth. It doesn't even need to be someone you know well. Just someone who can say they have had a good experience with this cleaner.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Aug 26, 2014 18:31:55 GMT
We needed a deep cleaning before a party, and looked online because we didn't know anyone who had a house cleaner. We liked the philosophy of the company and found out it had great reviews on Angie's List. We liked what they did so much we now have them come every four weeks. At first one of us was always home, but now we aren't. I think no matter who we used, we'd want to be there at least the first few times.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307
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Post by scrappinghappy on Aug 26, 2014 18:36:20 GMT
I used a company that was insured and bonded. Never had a problem. Then the woman who worked for me through the company told me she got HALF what I paid them and said she was quitting to go out on her own. I hired her and she's been with us now for 12 years.
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Post by papersilly on Aug 26, 2014 18:37:15 GMT
find someone recommended by someone you know. preferably someone who has used that person and can vouch for her. we've had the same cleaning lady for my house for almost 28 years. she was cleaning for my husband before we were married. we trust her fully. we can leave the house and have her lock up. no worry about anything going missing. at the office it was trial and error. some people cleaned well but I would never trust them enough to leave them alone. the one girl who I did like and trust wasn't the best cleaner but she was very trustworthy.
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Post by darkangel090260 on Aug 26, 2014 18:41:14 GMT
Walk next door hand Mrs.C $50.00 and ask her to add me as soon as she can fit me in.
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Post by ~summer~ on Aug 26, 2014 18:43:55 GMT
Ask a friend.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 26, 2014 18:50:31 GMT
The woman who cleans my house has been cleaning houses in my neighborhood for 20ish years! She makes her entire living in this subdivision of 300 houses. She has cleaned for my best friend for 18 years and she hardly ever gets an opening. One of her families moved so I was able to squeak into her calendar. Talk to people and check with recommendations from friends - especially people who have hired the same person over several years.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 26, 2014 18:51:59 GMT
From very good friends whom we trust!
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marianne
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys. . . My monkeys fly!
Posts: 4,176
Location: right smack dab in the middle of SC
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on Aug 26, 2014 20:11:55 GMT
I agree with the others - word of mouth. We found our ladies (a team of two) through our designer who helped with our downstairs remodel. We love them to pieces, they've become friends and do a fabulous job of keeping our home clean. If they accidently break something, they insist on replacing it; they do whatever needs doing, even windows; they even clean the inside of the fridge! Wouldn't trade them for anything.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 11, 2024 0:32:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2014 20:16:42 GMT
I use a friend of a friend. She doesn't clean like I do, but I don't want to.  Ann |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 26, 2014 20:16:56 GMT
good question, and one that I'm interesting in reading the answers to, as well... my work schedule is getting crazy, and so is my BF's. It's just us and our pets, but it's easy to let the housework get out of hand. Plus, I don't know whether that would be an issue for some people or not-- we have three indoor Shetland Sheepdogs, and 3 housecats.
ETA: my BF is VERY private about letting people into our house when we aren't home- it took him, like, 6 months to trust the petsitter we use. For people who have housekeepers, are you home when they come? how exactly does that work? (also, he'd probably feel like we needed to 'clean the house' before the housekeeper came... he's a bit of a perfectionist- lol!)
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 11, 2024 0:32:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2014 20:37:09 GMT
I found a FB group for our town/city/county and joined it. Then I posted that I was looking for someone and I got about 100 responses with referrals. I called the girl who came most highly recommended. People told me who to look out for and who was good.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 26, 2014 20:57:26 GMT
good question, and one that I'm interesting in reading the answers to, as well... my work schedule is getting crazy, and so is my BF's. It's just us and our pets, but it's easy to let the housework get out of hand. Plus, I don't know whether that would be an issue for some people or not-- we have three indoor Shetland Sheepdogs, and 3 housecats. ETA: my BF is VERY private about letting people into our house when we aren't home- it took him, like, 6 months to trust the petsitter we use. For people who have housekeepers, are you home when they come? how exactly does that work? (also, he'd probably feel like we needed to 'clean the house' before the housekeeper came... he's a bit of a perfectionist- lol!) We have a dog and two (used to be three) cats. Vicki loves pets, so she's good with them being around her while she cleans, otherwise we'd put them away somewhere when she's here. I actually had to look for someone to help clean because I have physical limitations that are made worse by heavy cleaning. I actually love cleaning my house! So I keep it pretty clean everyday. Vicki comes and does the more vigorous scrubbing of kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and vacuuming, etc. that I need help with. So I don't clean before she comes, it just is what it is when she gets here. |
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Post by jenettycakes on Aug 27, 2014 0:14:05 GMT
Honestly referrals. We use my MIL's housekeeper that's been with her for 10+ years. She's invaluable to us and though she's not steady as in she's here bi-weekly, we can also take time off and not worry about Addt'l charges or contracts... Her flexibility is priceless. My MIL has a huge house, 6,000 sq ft, that she cleans weekly as well as my SIL so she appreciates the steady business. Feels good to know she's practically family as I was home from the hospital 2 days after giving birth and needed to be rushed back because I has a spinal tap leak. Alicia was there cleaning and locked up when done, we obviously overlooked paying her but she knew we were good for it and was most concerned for me. I heart her.
Sent from my iPhone
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Aug 27, 2014 0:16:52 GMT
I didn't have any referrals.... so I stayed home while she cleaned for a few months.
I work from home so I would work, run out and pick up DD etc. She is not the very best but I trust her!
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 27, 2014 23:33:22 GMT
For people who have housekeepers, are you home when they come? how exactly does that work? (also, he'd probably feel like we needed to 'clean the house' before the housekeeper came... he's a bit of a perfectionist- lol!) |
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Post by smokey2471 on Aug 28, 2014 0:22:59 GMT
We have always gotten ours from word of mouth
I wish I could afford one now lol. I would love someone to deep clean and wash the bedding and iron.
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Sweets McPea
Junior Member
Posts: 75
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Post by Sweets McPea on Aug 28, 2014 2:10:43 GMT
DH did a terrible job vetting the housekeeper.
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Post by ametallichick on Aug 28, 2014 4:15:24 GMT
I use to clean houses for a living. Now I just do 1 because the money is decent. In my opinion, I wouldn't pay by hour. If you pay a flat rate, let's say $100, then it's up to them how long it takes them.
The one home I just gave up (it was way too big to do by myself) I used to charge $25/hr. But started charging $85 because it was taking me 3 1/2-4 hours anyway so it worked out but it was up to me to get it done quickly and efficiently.
I like it best when I was there to be left alone. I don't know why. May be it's the feeling of having someone look over your shoulder.
I would ask your friends, colleagues for a recommendation. Also, look on Google reviews. Yelp is not reliable. JMTC.
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MrsPea #2861
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by MrsPea #2861 on Aug 28, 2014 5:50:42 GMT
Word of mouth at church!
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,402
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 28, 2014 5:57:10 GMT
Friend recommendation or a decent agency.
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Post by VanC on Aug 28, 2014 9:21:52 GMT
I use a 14 yr old girl from here in the neighbourhood that I've known since she was born. Her mom is slightly OCD about cleaning and has passed that on to all her kids. Tonya comes most Fridays after early release school for 2-3 hours and I pay her $10 per hour and buy all the cleaning supplies. She does whatever is needed from actual housekeeping to decorating the house for Christmas. It gives her a fairly steady income until she can get a legal PT job. She is so funny....she likes it because she doesn't have to change diapers or wipe snotty noses like her other friends do. LOL Her older sister drives and they'll even do my grocery shopping when I'm to sick to get out of the house because of a flare. I love them to death!!
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