sunshine
Grand Prix Poster
**RIP Quincy**
Posts: 1,133
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Post by sunshine on Aug 23, 2005 15:48:32 GMT 1
After being messed around by the previous agency's cleaner, we have called it quits on them and are looking again for someone else. The previous cleaner decided to change the hours we wanted to those that suited her! This meant we were left with doing the cleaning ourselves when we were paying the agency, plus it was typically happening when we were having guests to stay. I would get home from work/stables to find it had not been done, and I didnt particularly want to start 2 hours worth of cleaning at 8pm on a Friday night, esp after my work out down at the yard after a full day at the office. The rumour about finding good cleaners is true! All we want is someone for 2 hours on a Monday and 2 hours on a Friday, and if they can fit in some ironing, then excellent. I jut called one company to be quoted £35 for an hours clean! My friend has a local lady, who prob does it for cash in hand, and does a fab job and a bit of ironing for £15 a week! I found one company who seemed perfect, but alas with are not in their catchment area! Snobs more like! Any suggestions on who to contact? We are in the High Wycombe area.
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naria
Grand Prix Poster
yet when all books have been read it boils down to the horse, his human & what goes on between them
Posts: 1,455
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Post by naria on Aug 23, 2005 16:14:53 GMT 1
I found a brilliant lady by asking round the local shops - may be worth a try?
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sunshine
Grand Prix Poster
**RIP Quincy**
Posts: 1,133
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Post by sunshine on Aug 23, 2005 16:18:48 GMT 1
Thanks Naria I will. Bit narked with these agencies who take your money for very little assistance when things go wrong and you still have to pay the cleaner! Did consider putting an advert up but thought better of it. Word of mouth is best.
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Post by rosemaryhannah on Aug 23, 2005 16:21:54 GMT 1
I wish you were near me - hours by agreement, whatever you ask for done ...as long as I am fast enough to do it in time allowed ... but alas I'm far far away! Put up an ad in the local supermarket, ask others, but don't forget to check references. I always offer references.
Why it's hard? Cleaning is boring! I only get through it by having a rucksack with a radio and earphones tuned to radio 4 and an endless supply of Polos!
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sunshine
Grand Prix Poster
**RIP Quincy**
Posts: 1,133
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Post by sunshine on Aug 23, 2005 16:29:22 GMT 1
I agree it is boring! Some people want the absolute gold dust, Merry Maids want £70 for 2 hours for 2 cleaners.... shocking. Thanks for your advice - I will def check references out. I wonder whether I should do the cleaning and use the money to pay for someone to do the ironing instead. Might ask the neighbours for any recommendations? Lady next door with two kids might be interested. Her house is always spotless and when we spoke to her awhile back, she mentioned that she might be interested - though she spoke to Hubby and not me. Will ask her when she is back from her hollies...... She can only say no eh?
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Post by rosemaryhannah on Aug 23, 2005 16:36:50 GMT 1
Sounds like a good idea! It is an ideal job - I do it because having been self employed it is very hard to get back into paid employment. But I have the other difficulty - getting new customers. People want word of mouth, which I understand, but some of my customers hardly see anybody but me ........
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Post by rosemaryhannah on Aug 23, 2005 23:03:44 GMT 1
Um, the other thing to be aware of is that everybody does want two hours on a Monday and two on a Friday. And when one is a full time cleaner, everybody cannot have them! You might find it easier to go for Tuesday and Friday, or Monday and Thursday, or ... it is a heap more efficicnt to have four hours all together, you know. True you only get a clean bathroom once a week, but on the other hand, the cleaner will get round to moving your beds, cleaning your windows, washing down paintwork etc much more often. Also, more time for the ironing, etc.
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erarab
Advanced Poster
Ping!
Posts: 382
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Post by erarab on Aug 24, 2005 11:40:04 GMT 1
Its not easy to find a good one that for sure I am currently hunting too I am after someone to come in for about a hour a day....
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Post by Nickernow on Aug 24, 2005 14:31:09 GMT 1
I found my cleaners in a local paper, they are a husband and wife team who only come once a month 9am till 2pm, they charge £100 which i think is very good considering they bring all their own equipment and products, even teabags ;D, i used to have someone who came weekly, i found them in a local newsagents window but to be honest i am happy enough to clean the bath, hoover, dust etc daily, (well maybe daily is a slight exaggeration,) what i wanted was someone who would pull out all the furniture and hoover behind, hoover the curtains, clean the lampshades, fridge, and all the other filthy bits i seem to miss and this is exactly what my cleaners do,
is there not a local paper you could look in or do you know of any mums, maybe one of them would be more than willing to do it whilst kiddies are at school to earn them some extra money
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sunshine
Grand Prix Poster
**RIP Quincy**
Posts: 1,133
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Post by sunshine on Aug 24, 2005 14:50:51 GMT 1
Thanks to everyone for their advice. I have taken it onboard and hopefully we will be able to find someone. I called another company today but they don't have anyone in our area!! Looked in the local paper but no luck. Will start asking the neighbours, and will go with a Tues and Fri clean if possible. Although at this rate I am going to end up doing it all myself - so looks like my free time on a Saturday will now be spent cleaning!!
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Post by Anke on Aug 24, 2005 20:53:35 GMT 1
I don't think £70 for 2 hours for 2 cleaners is that much. The agency has to pay employers contribution, tax, NI, private insurance, sick pay etc . I use an agency for 1 hour a week, two women come and clean the house on a Wed for £30. They bring all of their own equipment and products. I just give it another hoover and wipe on the weekend. My cleaners are excellent, I use 'Sparklers'.
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pip
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by pip on Aug 24, 2005 22:48:05 GMT 1
Put up an advert in the local shops, Post Office, farm shop, even tack/feed shop - both requesting and offering.
A local lady is starting up and she is charging £7.50 an hour, so I am going to have her to come and help do a spring clean/chuck out session before I have a nervous breakdown.
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gb
Advanced Poster
Posts: 414
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Post by gb on Aug 25, 2005 22:03:31 GMT 1
Funnily enough I just put an ad in the local supermarket last night, 2hrs twice a week at £6.40/hr, but then decided to ask my mum-in-law if she wanted to do it for the same money instead. She said she did so we're sorted!
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Post by esme on Aug 25, 2005 22:22:49 GMT 1
Can your friends cleaner not fit you in? Or maybe she might know someone that she could recommend? I wouldn't use and agency because of the charges but you do have to look for a diamond in a heap of rocks sometimes!
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Post by sarak on Aug 25, 2005 23:28:28 GMT 1
It's really hard to find a good cleaner. A friend recommended one a few years back, but unfortunately she didn't live up to my high expectations!
I've now trained hubby to do his fair share whilst I'm out riding!
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