Housekeeper?
Posted By: TM on 2007-05-21
In Reply to:
Who here uses a housekeeper? I am curious as to how often, a service or an individual and how much do you pay.
The services seem like they charge quite a bit more than an individual, but I am wondering if it is worth it to get a better job done. I had a lady who I was using and she did great the first time but then started slacking. I've responded to some ads on Craigslist right now for some individuals.
Just curious on what others pay and your experience. 
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For those who have a housekeeper, what do you have them do and (m)
how much do you pay? I am thinking of hiring one. Never had one before and just wanted some input. Thanks!
Housekeeper
I've had 3 different housekeepers over the past 10 years. Got my first one when mom came to live with us and I became her full time caretaker.
The first was 2 girls. They charged $6.50 an hour. I gave them $10 because I hate housework and they were fantastic. Had the house in shape in 4 hours and would come twice a month. They would start on opposite ends of the house and meet in the middle. They vacuumed, dusted, mopped, brought their own equipment too.
The second one was even better. She did EVERYTHING. Windows, etc. If there was a dish in the sink, she'd wash it even though I have a dishwasher. I paid her the same rate, but she was unreliable. Never knew when or if she would show up, never called if she was going to be late, which was often, and she would gab constantly for the 4 hours she was here while I was trying to work, so I had to let her go.
The third one was good. She did anything and everything that was asked. Paid her the same rate. She came twice a month for 4 hours. Then I got a new job, hubby got sick, and I couldn't afford her anymore.
Wish I could afford another one as I am still working long hours and now have a dog and a coal stove to contend with...just can't keep up.I should be able to keep up, but I work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. I get to sit down and relax (hm-m-m, make that conk out) after doing supper-usually 7 pm. 
BTW, I live in rural PA. My home is 75 feet long x 24 feet wide, 3 bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths, great room/kitchen/dining room mix and there are only 2 of us now. I know they say to do 1 room a day, but till I'm done working and then there's the grocery shopping, recycling, washing of the clothes,dishwashing, taking care of the dog, taking care of hubby, etc., just too tired. When I do get a little time off (usually 4 hours on a Sat. or Sun.), I just want to sit and do nothing, or spend time on the computer like I am now, or research.
Oh, BYW, my housekeeper does any and everything
I ask her to do, besides say the washing, drying and regular housework. I get her sometimes the night before, she spends the night with me and then cleans the next day while I work. I am not gonna pay someone $30.00 an hour- that would be more than I make an hour- ridiculous say Transcriptionist versus housecleaning?? Nah, no way. I pay anywhere from $65.00 to 75 or 80 for the day/night.
When you say housekeeper...
do you mean like live-in, Hazel-type housekeeper, or simply a cleaning lady?
My housekeeper just told me
my plant probably needed a new Potainer..... Guess she meant a container?? She is from Atlanta by the way.
I would kill for a housekeeper...
m
I have had housekeeper for years
probably 15 or so and this lady works when I want her to, does most anything I ask of her, washing (ironing if I needed but don't do that), cooking, cleaning and even the grass. I usually pay her anywhere from 65 to say 100 for a very full day and if I ask extra of her. She always cleans, vacuums, washes and I just enjoy the company also. I only work part-time but don't care for housework in the least. I can always count on her.
I just have had housekeeper here twice this week and
plan on using her twice next week to deep clean my house. I do not like housework, but I love a clean house, just do not care to do. Husband does the yard. Some people like to do their own work around the house like you but personally with my fibro might feel like cleaning once in a blue moon, otherwise housekeeper it is. I wash the clothes and then sometimes she does those. I will get someone in a heartbeat to do work for me, hired people to clean out the garage before.
As we were talking about this my housekeeper called
and wanted to know if I needed her- picking her up tonight at about 9:30 after Idol goes off, of course and then she can clean up tomorrow. She has her own bedroom and sleeps as late as she wants, might cook us some breakfast if I want or she does, otherwise we buy something out and I only make lists when I want something different done, such as washing the windows at the front of the house and cleaning the door or maybe cleaning the microwave. Since she has been with me so long, she just knows what needs doing. She has the run of the house and if I have to go somewhere, feel perfectly safe in having her here.
I am a terrible housekeeper, aaaugh, the work I have to do
to have my parents over for Father's Day.
Caught my housekeeper red-handed stealing from me
My household is small, just hubs and myself (with 2 pets). Hubs went out of town to visit his brothers, left early Saturday. I got my housekeeper of say the past 15 years or more to come clean up for me yesterday. Knowing that I was having a doctor's appointment today I had laid out fresh underwear to put on (this is unusual because most times I am without my undergarments but thought I better wear panties today). I put them in my first dresser drawer Saturday night, went and picked her up Sunday, started to lay out all my clothing Sunday evening and my undergarments gone. I am literally ticked beyond belief. I am about to lose a housekeeper- my husband told me for sometime that things were going missing such as things he bought, toilet paper, some forks and spoons, things like that which I normally do not see. If I let her go, I have to do the work myself (she does washing besides housework) but yet I cannot let this pass. Any ideas? I do not think I would be able to get anyone for what I pay her but cannot stand the fact of being stolen from - especially since if she needs something she could ask and I usually get for her. Ideas??
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