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I'm interested in hiring either an individual or a service to clean my house in North Raleigh (north of I-540). So far the only estimates we've received defy the most basic laws of economics (current or otherwise).
I'm interested in hiring either an individual or a service to clean my house in North Raleigh (north of I-540). So far the only estimates we've received defy the most basic laws of economics (current or otherwise).
Does anyone have a recommendation to share?
How big is your house, and what are the quotes you're getting?
I'm interested in hiring either an individual or a service to clean my house in North Raleigh (north of I-540). So far the only estimates we've received defy the most basic laws of economics (current or otherwise).
Assuming they were all in a relatively similar range, how do you know that this is not the "going rate" (i.e. "the basic laws of economics")?
Last edited by Green Irish Eyes; 10-07-2009 at 12:49 PM..
Reason: The "lowball" comment isn't necessary -- thanks.
How big is your house, and what are the quotes you're getting?
The quotes I'm getting range in price and time required.
In my previous house (different region) we paid the equivalent of $20 per hour per person and it took two people about an hour and a half to clean a 2,600 square foot home. Our current house is just a little bigger and we're getting estimates of four hours to clean (borderline but acceptable) and rates as high as $45 per person and they required a two-person team and a minimum of two hours.
The best estimate we've received thus far was acceptable but the person needed a full months notice to work us in and didn't reply to phone calls very well (only one of three messages were returned over a months time).
I'm willing to pay a fair wage for the service but need someone who is both reasonable in terms of price and estimated time, can be flexible enough to work us into the schedule within a two week period and who returns a phone call within a day or two of receiving a message.
What do you consider within the basic laws of economics, current or otherwise?
Somewhere around $20 per hour per person. I'm willing to go higher for someone who presents well and is professional but once you get beyond $25 per hour it invokes the law of diminishing returns.
And for perspective I should point out that I can hire a technical writer for $40 per hour in this economy.
I have had the same person cleaning my house for over 5 years now, she is a solo operation, and we pay her 90 dollars for each clean. She comes 2 times a month. She is probably here about 3 hours, our house is not cluttered and everything is out of her way when she comes to clean. She cleans about 2600 square feet.
Although her payment averages out to about 30 an hour, she is a solo operation and does a very good job. I believe her fee, for me, is very reasonable. So, I just put this out there to give you a ballpark of what I am paying, and I think she may charge new customers a bit more (she has not changed my fee, but we bumped her up when the gas prices went up)
I have had the same person cleaning my house for over 5 years now, she is a solo operation, and we pay her 90 dollars for each clean. She comes 2 times a month. She is probably here about 3 hours, our house is not cluttered and everything is out of her way when she comes to clean. She cleans about 2600 square feet. Although her payment averages out to about 30 an hour, she is a solo operation and does a very good job. I believe her fee, for me, is very reasonable.
This is almost the identical situation with ours, though we've used the same one for over 20.
Last edited by Green Irish Eyes; 10-07-2009 at 12:50 PM..
Reason: Can we please not be argumentative?
I am a bit shocked. The going rate around our neck of the woods/neighborhood seems to be much higher. In general these are single house cleaners not a team and it is generally around $100 or more per visit and that is for 2600-3600 sq' Your quotes don't seem unreasonable to me assuming you are dealing with the basics, floors, blinds, baseboards, dusting,light fixtures and of course all baths. For things like linen changes, windows and laundry the cost would be even higher.
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