How much should I expect to pay for a good, reliable cleaner (not via an agency)?

[SoozieW]

Been quoted anything from £14 to £20 per hour.   £20 seems a lot. 

Feel free to recommend one.

No self recommendations please.

[beansprout]

Nope - a case of demand.

 

[ArchieCarlos]

Not every cleaner is the same. 

We pay £20 per hour, which is a lot considering we give her a lot of hours, but we have someone who we completely trust, is very reliable (never missed an appointment in 4 years), also does baby sitting, and is very proactive (she regularly cleans the fridge/oven, regularly empties kitchen drawers to clean them then puts everything back the way it was, puts away clothes after folding and ironing, cleans the bins/patio, etc.). We also use her for baby sitting once in a while or cat sitting while we're away. This isn't usually what you get from the typical cash-in-hand cleaner (or agency for that matter). 

We had another cleaner before who was cheaper, but also wasn't as thorough, often cancelled on us and not proactive at all. 

[Sue]

3 hours ago, ArchieCarlos said:

Not every cleaner is the same. 

We pay £20 per hour, which is a lot considering we give her a lot of hours, but we have someone who we completely trust, is very reliable (never missed an appointment in 4 years), also does baby sitting, and is very proactive (she regularly cleans the fridge/oven, regularly empties kitchen drawers to clean them then puts everything back the way it was, puts away clothes after folding and ironing, cleans the bins/patio, etc.). We also use her for baby sitting once in a while or cat sitting while we're away. This isn't usually what you get from the typical cash-in-hand cleaner (or agency for that matter). 

We had another cleaner before who was cheaper, but also wasn't as thorough, often cancelled on us and not proactive at all. 

Crikey.

You will probably now be inundated with people asking for details of your cleaner, who sounds amazing!

I don't have a cleaner any more, but in the early eighties (not in ED)   I had a fantastic cleaner who even used to polish the kettle. She became a family friend.

Before I found her, I interviewed (sorry but no other word for it) someone who said she would "do her best under the circumstances" 🤣 

As she had mentioned having passed local "gangs" on the way to my house (aka a few kids chatting in the street) I wasn't going to employ her anyway, but she was very put out when I phoned to let her know I had found someone else 🤣

[SoozieW]

Thank you ArchieCarlos, that's very helpful and useful to know.