Housekeepers?

[Anonymous]

I've used services like the Cleaning Authority before, but became curious about independent housekeepers after seeing this board. What are the advantages of using a housekeeper rather than a service, or vice versa? Which is generally cheaper? Are housekeepers bonded?

[Anonymous]

Advantage of housekeeper: the personal relationship.
Disadvantage of housekeeper: the personal relationship;also you need to deal with the taxes and periods of unavailability.

From best to worst I would rate the options as:
1. Good housekeeper
2. Service
3. Bad housekeeper

[Anonymous]

In my experience, services are cheaper, but that may be because I'm not good at individual-to-individual negotiations. Also, most housekeepers are probably not bonded.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes the workers don't take home much of the money from the services, which is a reason why people use independent housekeepers.

[Anonymous]

that's true; Nickel and Dimed really turned me agianst services.

[Anonymous]

Housekeepers also can do tasks the cleaning services won't, such as laundry. Ours does our entire family's laundry and changes all the linens weekly. A good housekeeper also is familiar with your house and remembers special details (this floor is hardwood so I really don't want you to use Mop 'N Glo on it, etc). With a service, you never know who is in your house and it's hard to communicate these fine details. The downside, and upside, of having your own housekeeper is you supply all the lceaning products, so if you want to use a green cleaner or Meyer's products you just supply them.

Obviously, this kind of housekeeper is paid by the day and therefore more expensive than a service. Ours has been with us for four years and gets regular raises just like the nanny.

[Anonymous]

I've found that individual housekeeps do a WAY better job than the services. I had a service and they didnt move anything - so they cleaned around the vase on the table, instead of picking it up. MY housekeeper will decide if the flowers are ded, pick up the vase, dump them out, wash it out and wash the table. And, she's much cheaper.