Housekeeping expenses

[Anonymous]

We have a cleaning lady who comes In twice a week. She comes in for about three hours each time. cleans, does laundry and a little organizing. Our house is 2400 square feet, but we don't use a ton of the space. It is just my husband and I. We are gearing up for baby, and realize that it will be a bit messier.

She told me yesterday that her cleaning fees are going to go up to $250 a week. From $200, once the baby gets here. I don't expect her to do the baby laundry etc (might have nanny help)- but is this resonable? How much are you paying for housekeeping?

[Anonymous]

That's outrageous, even 200 a week. We have 6000sf in an expensive area (Langley) and it's about 150 a week.

[Anonymous]

We have 3200 sq in Bethesda and pay 150 every other week. If you have a nanny it would be standard for her to be in charge of baby's areas, toys, bottles, and laundry.

[Anonymous]

Ours comes once a week for 6 hours - so the same total time - and we pay $150. Nanny does kids laundry, kids rooms, basement, and surface cleaning of kitchen. Housekeeper does floors, bathrooms, deep kitchen clean, laundry for DH and I and linens, and then whatever else there is time for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's outrageous, even 200 a week. We have 6000sf in an expensive area (Langley) and it's about 150 a week.

Twice a week?

[Anonymous]

Extortion!!

[Anonymous]

yeah, tell your cleaning lady that once the baby is born she will be let go as you cannot afford the $250 a week. Watch her change her story real quick. She'd rather have your $200 a week than $0.

that was a bold move on her part. totally unjustified.

[Anonymous]

And you may only want her once a week when the baby comes because of schedules, sleep deprivation, etc.

[Anonymous]

I don't think $250 is outrageous at all- she has to drive their twice a week. If it was once a week, it would be high but for twice a week, I think it is normal.

[Anonymous]

If she is coming twice a week, is she cleaning the entire house twice a week? If so, I think $250 is reasonable. We have a weekly housekeeper for our 2200-SF 4-BR, 2-BA, and we pay $125.

[Anonymous]

I have someone come once a month clean a 2200 square foot house and it is 85 each month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have someone come once a month clean a 2200 square foot house and it is 85 each month.

How many hours, two?

[Anonymous]

Agree that it is reasonable if she is coming twice a week, assuming she cleans the entire house. If not, then I would ask her to come once a week for a reduced fee. Also agree that you might not want her there twice a week with a newborn. Could be really disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have someone come once a month clean a 2200 square foot house and it is 85 each month.

How many hours, two?

About 2 hours but 2 people. So equivalent to 4 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that it is reasonable if she is coming twice a week, assuming she cleans the entire house. If not, then I would ask her to come once a week for a reduced fee. Also agree that you might not want her there twice a week with a newborn. Could be really disruptive.

This is not about the $250 being too much. This is about the housekeeper charging $200 and saying that because of the baby she has to up her fee by $200 a month!