I'm drowning in housework, and I can't seem to hire someone to help

[Anonymous]

DH and I finally decided we needed more than our weekly cleaners, and we're trying to hire a housekeeper for 20-25 hours a week (or as few as 12-15, if we also keep our weekly cleaners). I've interviewed (on the phone) like a dozen applicants from care.com over the past month and none are even willing to do what we want - and all I want is for someone to do what *I* and *most parents* do on a regular basis: clean up the kitchen in the morning, empty the dishwasher, make the beds, do some laundry, etc. We want four or five days a week, for 4-5 hours a day.

What am I doing wrong here? We're offering $20-35 an hour depending on experience, and we've only rarely gotten to the point of discussing pay because no one gets that far.

I get that this isn't a full-time job, but our weekly cleaners are only paid 180 per visit, and it's two women working 4-5 hours, or about 20 dollars per hour per person - and they work A LOT harder, physically, than someone just putting away dishes and doing laundry would.

Seriously, how do I make this job more appealing? Or do I just keep at it and hope someone eventually comes along?

[Anonymous]

One problem might be that it’s not a full time job, but the hours and days are likely to make it difficult for someone to get another part time job, given the schedule that you want them to keep. Maybe think about how flexible you can be. If you want 20 -25 hours, a three day week that allows someone to work elsewhere for two or three full days might be more attractive.

You’re also offering an hourly rate, and don’t mention any benefits. Again, many might prefer to work for a service that provides benefits including social security and health insurance. What you’re offering is kind of lose- lose in some ways. My guess is that it’s less the job responsibilities than the 4-5 day part time schedule that might be the issue.

The people most likely to want this job will be those who want to work part time, without any of the benefits that usually go along with a 5 day work week.

[Anonymous]

We hired someone like this and it’s been fantastic. The biggest help was knowing that we were their only job like this. All their other jobs were weekly cleaning. And, honestly, a lot of their clients were really bad about last minute schedule changes and no pay cancellations. We offered a lot of flexibility. As long as they show up on three non contiguous days for at least 2 hours each time, we are fine with whenever and last minute changes. And, we have a no cancel guarantee. If we don’t need them for some reason, they still get paid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One problem might be that it’s not a full time job, but the hours and days are likely to make it difficult for someone to get another part time job, given the schedule that you want them to keep. Maybe think about how flexible you can be. If you want 20 -25 hours, a three day week that allows someone to work elsewhere for two or three full days might be more attractive.

You’re also offering an hourly rate, and don’t mention any benefits. Again, many might prefer to work for a service that provides benefits including social security and health insurance. What you’re offering is kind of lose- lose in some ways. My guess is that it’s less the job responsibilities than the 4-5 day part time schedule that might be the issue.

The people most likely to want this job will be those who want to work part time, without any of the benefits that usually go along with a 5 day work week.

+1
Make this a full time position. You can include buying groceries, meal prep, getting the dry cleaning, picking up the kids, and other errands.

[Anonymous]

My mind is blown by weekly cleaners spending 8-10 work hours at your house and it’s not enough. How are you this messy/dirty? Have your kids make their own beds..

[Anonymous]

It sounds as though your house is a pig sty! You already have a weekly cleaner! No wonder you cannot find someor!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don't think I need to explain myself, but in particular I'm "drowning" in laundry - we are a family of five, including 3 young children, and since my last was born I've had horrible back problems that prevent me from being very active. I don't want to spend my little "active" time doing housework. Also three young kids are messy!

Anyway, we actually were going up to more like 20-25 hours a week to make it a "full" half time job. I can't imagine needing or wanting a full 40 hours a week.

Maybe I should break it into several smaller jobs that are more like 8 hours a week?

[Anonymous]

The easiest thing would be just to lower your standards. Let the kids dress themselves off the pile on the kitchen table or sofa. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get it either, OP. I’ve been trying to find a weekly cleaning service that is willing to work on an hourly basis (instead of Paying a fixed rate per cleaning) for two reasons:

1. I have a large house and don’t want it all cleaned every week. I just want the main areas done and then depending on the week I would have them come up and clean on the 2nd floor or do the basement for example. I also want to be able to ask for certain special projects from week to week (e.g.-clean draperies, detail fridge, etc.).

2. I’m just effing sick of cleaners wanting me to pay a fixed rate “per cleaning”, and then after the honeymoon period their entire objective becomes “how do I get this house done in the least amount of time possible” and then they start doing a really bad job. Like she wants to charge $200/cleaning when it takes her 2.5 hours and she’s working by herself.

I’ve posted ads and I explicitly say in my ad the hourly rate and that you must be willing to work on an hourly basis. I get many dozens of replies but they all, by the 2nd or 3rd communication, say they charge “per job” not by the hour.

[Anonymous]

Like any position, you need to pay more per hour or make the position full time. No other options, OP. It’s always money or time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't think I need to explain myself, but in particular I'm "drowning" in laundry - we are a family of five, including 3 young children, and since my last was born I've had horrible back problems that prevent me from being very active. I don't want to spend my little "active" time doing housework. Also three young kids are messy!

Anyway, we actually were going up to more like 20-25 hours a week to make it a "full" half time job. I can't imagine needing or wanting a full 40 hours a week.

Maybe I should break it into several smaller jobs that are more like 8 hours a week?

Why not get a laundry service since that's the big issue?

[Anonymous]

Op where are you located ? I’m a house manager that has free time during the day and weekends. I’m interested in the job .

[Anonymous]

Given your to-do list, why not just bump your weekly cleaner up to twice a week and ask them to focus on laundry on their second visit (or actually split it between the two visits to be able to rotate more loads). That is basically what we did after our second child, except we moved from bimonthly cleaning to weekly (with laundry of linens on the second week). It's worked great. Heck maybe your cleaner would even do a mini clean on a third day. You have an established relationship and this would get you at least to 50%+ to where you need to be.

[Anonymous]

Maybe care.com just isn't the right place? Try Nextdoor. I bet someone who already works as a cleaner would jump at this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op where are you located ? I’m a house manager that has free time during the day and weekends. I’m interested in the job .

Arlington