Lady Marmalade Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I've been asked kind of out of the blue if I'd be interested in cleaning an older, single lady's home weekly. She is not pack rat, and in general kind of lives clean, so it wouldn't be all kinds of gross to clean it up. 3 bedroom, 2 bath. I would do vacuuming, dusting, mopping of hard floors, clean bathrooms and general kitchen cleaning like wiping down counters. For sure I would dust the corners for spider webs. Probably shake out area rugs if she has them? I've never done this before and have no idea what would be reasonable to charge. She may have an amount in mind, and I'd be okay with that too. We'll be meeting next week to go over details. I'm hopeful she will let me use my own cleaning products, as I try to stay away from harsh cleansers/bleach etc. We'll see about that though. All the craigslist ads for a house cleaning person are vague with "reasonable rates". Help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 My aunt charges $25/hr and she's worth it...amazingly detailed, but not the "fast, hit all the rooms and just wipe at stuff" type cleaner. Most in my Midwest area charge around $20/hr. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 In our area, I'd say it ranges between $20 - $25/hour. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 The going rate in my area starts at $50 an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I'd look at square footage rather than number of rooms. Every house I've owned has had three bedrooms but have varied in size from 1200sf to 3000sf. Regional rates will also vary. I pay $90 per visit. It takes about 2 hours for 2 people to do the job well. They don't charge by the hour, but rather analyze the home's needs and give you a per rate visit. Others do it hourly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykidsrmyjoy Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 The rate here is around $25-$30 per hour. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) I'm paying $35/hr but every other week and for half the house only. Edited August 16, 2017 by madteaparty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewber Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I am in a low cost of living area and pay $20 per hour. They bring their own cleaning supplies and pay their own taxes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 We pay $30/hr in the Pacific Northwest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 My goodness. If I were a good house cleaner Id get into the business. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Companies here charge $35ish/hr, minimum of two hours. Private cleaners seem to be $25-30 and tend to have a minimum, as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommyLiberty5013 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I just hired one here in rural MN. $28 per hour for two workers. That's not factoring tips. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My4arrows Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 For our 4 bedroom, story 2,000 sq ft house it was $90/week. It was one woman who did it, paid her own taxes and she came twice a month 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 Wow, I really appreciate the feedback- sounds like the rates are all over the place depending on where people live. I'll have to see what this lady has in mind. I clean our (rather large) church by myself weekly and I can get the whole building done in about 2 hours- but that's 100% volunteer and I don't get paid for it. I figure basic cleaning of a home should take me about the same amount of time or less. I had been kind of thinking in my mind that $20-$25 per hour would not be unreasonable. I charge $20/hour for dance costume alterations, but most of those are in the 15-30 minute range and I charge accordingly. Cleaning is far more physical plus I'll have to travel and figure out the ideal time to work it into my week. It will be interesting to see what comes of it. It wasn't something I was seeking out, but apparently my work in the church has been noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Wow, I really appreciate the feedback- sounds like the rates are all over the place depending on where people live. I'll have to see what this lady has in mind. I clean our (rather large) church by myself weekly and I can get the whole building done in about 2 hours- but that's 100% volunteer and I don't get paid for it. I figure basic cleaning of a home should take me about the same amount of time or less. I had been kind of thinking in my mind that $20-$25 per hour would not be unreasonable. I charge $20/hour for dance costume alterations, but most of those are in the 15-30 minute range and I charge accordingly. Cleaning is far more physical plus I'll have to travel and figure out the ideal time to work it into my week. It will be interesting to see what comes of it. It wasn't something I was seeking out, but apparently my work in the church has been noticed. Just keep in mind that you'll probably be doing this as an independent contractor. You need to factor in self-employment taxes on top of the normal taxes (fed, SS, etc,state if you have them). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 My goodness. If I were a good house cleaner Id get into the business.That's what I've told my oldest daughter. Forget the babysitting gigs, learn the clean houses well and go do that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 I pay. Y cleaner $20 per hour. She was here for 2 hours but she has has cut it down to 1 1/2 hours. She makes 2 beds, wet dusts living areas,does both bathrooms, vacuums 1 bedroom and all living areas, mops floors etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 The going rate in my area starts at $50 an hour. For just one person? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 Just keep in mind that you'll probably be doing this as an independent contractor. You need to factor in self-employment taxes on top of the normal taxes (fed, SS, etc,state if you have them). Yeah, I'm already an independent contractor, as I deliver newspapers everyday. So that's not a factor/issue for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 I pay $20 per hour per person. I live in a low-to-modest cost of living area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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