Rates for housekeepers? (Austin, Cedar Park: apartment, house, contractor)

[MsAnnOnymous123]

What's the going rate for a housekeeper in the Austin area? We've lived all over and have paid an average of $70/wk, from a low of $50/wk for an 1100 sq ft 2 bd 2 bath apartment to a high of $95/wk for 3000/4/3.5. We'll be in Cedar Park, if it matters. Thanks.

[jdrtx]

Ms Onymous, why can't you clean your own house?

[Jimmyp25]

Originally Posted by jdrtx

Ms Onymous, why can't you clean your own house?

thats irrelevant to the question. maybe she works all day and does not have time? some people don't like cleaning after working 12 hours a day

[RoadWarrior12]

$75-100 seems about right for a good crew.

[CarnivalGal]

Originally Posted by jdrtx

Ms Onymous, why can't you clean your own house?

Because she doesn't want to?

[Eastcoasting]

Originally Posted by jdrtx

Ms Onymous, why can't you clean your own house?

It's obvious because she believes in President Reagan and trickle down economics. It's her duty as an American to spend those hard earned dollars and help someone with less pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

Cheese and crackers jdrtx (if that is your real name) what are you some kinda commie pinko?

[centralaustinite]

Dang! Where and when did you pay $95/wk for 3000/4/3.5?

I paid $140 a week for 500 fewer sq feet! I think you will be hard pressed to find anything below $100-120 per week.

FWIW, I am now cleaning my own house again but will go back to a housekeeper as soon as I can!

[Topaz]

This startup company charges $20 per hour. I am not affiliated but read about them on TechCrunch.

HomeJoy.com Austin

[usernamenottaken]

Originally Posted by jdrtx

Ms Onymous, why can't you clean your own house?

Geez, really? Why can't you not type when you can't say something helpful?

[Trainwreck20]

There are some other threads on here about this that are fairly current, but a couple of points when pricing out a housekeeper:
- If you get a weekly housekeeper, the per visit rate (and likely the hourly rate) will be lower than if you have a bi-weekly schedule. I.e., weekly visit will be $90, but a bi-weekly visit may be $100 or $110.
- If whoever you hire brings their own supplies, they are a contractor. If they use your supplies (vacuum, cleaning products, etc), then they are an employee and you have to report their wages on your taxes if they are over something like $1800 per year (around $35/week). You would have to check the exact number.
- If you hire a company (as opposed to an individual), it will usually be cheaper; however, although you usually get the same people, you won't always. There will be new people coming through your house on a regular basis.
- The price will vary not only on square footage, but what they include. The lady we use washes all our linens and towels, which is really pretty nice, along with the 'regular' stuff. IF you expect them to dust fans/blinds (or whatever) each time they come, it will cost significantly more than if they just do it a couple times per year.

Just a few thoughts. Anyway, we pay and individual $100/2-weeks for 2400 sf. We usually give her small 'raise' at the end of each year to keep her from feeling the need to look for a higher paying gig somewhere else .