How Much Should a Reliable Cleaning Service Cost?

I pay only $60 for 2 women to come to my house every other week. I have a 3-bedroom, 2-bath. They even do the windows (from inside). I could give you the number is you like.

That does sound outrageous! We unfortunately have never been able to afford a cleaning service/person, but we hope to someday. Anyway we know tons of people who having cleaning ladies, and they all pay around $50-60 for a morning's worth of cleaning--so like 4 hours or so, washing floors, cleaning kitchen & bathroom, vacuuming... And we live on the northside of Chicago. I've never heard of anyone paying $75-100/hour. Are you sure they don't mean for the day? Some lawyers and doctors don't even make that much money per hour. That's totally crazy. If that is their price, they must be sending out a crew of people to clean instead of just one person. I can't imagine anyone paying $500-600 to have their home cleaned every week.
I would ask your friends if they know of anyone who cleans houses rather than using a service anyway.

I'd like to know the answer to this myself!

That is pretty expensive. I live in Hyde Park, and when I had a 700 SF one bedroom apartment (five years ago), I was paying $15-$20 an hour + gratuity with a four hour minimum. Granted, that was awhile ago, but I can't imagine prices have gone up that much.

I'm sorry I can't recommend any cleaning services b/c I haven't used a cleaning "service" in years since we found a housekeeper who cleans for us on a regular basis. We have a 2700 SF home and pay her $100 each time she comes. She is thorough, does a great job, and is done in about 5 hours. IF, and only if, the 2 people they send will be done in ONE hour (and they don't charge you a 3 or 4 hour minimum like some companies do), then that $75-$100 fee would be okay. But if your house is too large to complete in that amount of time, I would look for someone else.

Do any of your neighbors have a housekeeper they could recommend? It would probably be easy for their housekeeper to come on the same day she does their house since you will be close by. In addition, she may be able to do only "light cleaning" for you and charge you even less. (My housekeeper has that option).

Good luck.

Hi S..

I am a full time employed mom who lives in Oak Park.

I am trying to get a cleaning/organizing business started, and can help with your cleaning needs.

I charge $30 an hour.

Give me a call ###-###-####.

Thanks Quandra......

I think the price you were quoted is too much. I just had my house cleaned for $28/hr for two people. I was told it could go as high as $35/hr for two people depending on the house/clean up. I used Fresh Tech Maid Services (they are located in Palatine but travel everywhere). They use all natural cleaners so it doesn't smell 'chemically' after a clean. They do windows and also wipe down the insides of drawers. They also use a HEPA vacuum so that no dust recirculates back into the air. Their number is ###-###-####. You can talk with Wells or Michelle.

I have been using Clean as a Whistle for about the last 8 or 9 years and have been very pleased. It is owned by a husband & wife. They charge about $28 or $30 an hour and that includes 2 people. I am a clean freak and they do a really great job. Becky's cell phone# is ###-###-####. They live pretty close to you-North Riverside. Good luck!

We live in Forest Park and have a great group of polish ladies that clean our townhome. It's a flat rate of $80, but they will come out and meet you first and assses how much your place costs and you agree to it with them. They do a good job and are incredibly trustworthy. They are in an out quickly too. Call Aneta at ###-###-####

Hello S.,
My name is T. Merlos a mother of a 6 yr old and a culinary student,while I am not affiliated with a company I am looking for work on the side. I have recommendations from people whom I have catered for and from instructors. From your description I would charge between $65-$80 for the entire task not per hour,but then again we would need to talk and see the size of your condo to come up with an appropriate figure. ____@____.com ###-###-####

Hi, I have a wonderful cleaning company - her name is Marcy and her phone # is ###-###-####. You can call her and see if she will go to Oak Park - she lives in Chicago, and I live in Oak Lawn. She works, along with her mother, and sometimes another girl. They are soooooo reasonable and do a GREAT job. They really get the corners, and stuff that I can't do!!! I think her and her Mom were here for 3-1/2 hours (which would be 7 hours), and she charges approx. $85.00. She might charge a couple extra dollars for gas to get to your place. HIGHLY recommend! Take care and good luck. I wish I could have her more often, but I give her a call whenever I could afford it! ha!

Hi S.
I have a wonderful cleaning lady, I pay her 90.00 a week, she is at my house for about 4 1/2 - 5 hours. I have 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, dr, lr and family room plus enclosed hallway lots of stairs. Plus I have 5 dogs.
I'm not sure where you are located but if you are interested let me know I'm happy to give you her info.

V.

That seems like a lot to me. I use LEXUS Cleaning, which is posted and rated on Mamasource (although I am a slacker and have never posted my comments). Anyway, I pay about $20 an hour for one woman and she does a fabulous job! I only requested particular work done in my 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, and she does it all plus some. The quote was based on what I asked for them to do, not the amount of time it would take, and they come when I am at work, but I think it works out to about $20 an hour from the few days I have been home when she comes out.

Here is their contact information, if you are interested: ###-###-####

Good Luck,
D.

S., we have a cleaning lady for our building (my landlord and landlady's apartment as well as mine), and I don't think she charges as much as you've said. If you want her contact info, please let me know; I don't know her availability but you could check. She also cleans for my male "significant other", charges $55, and he has a 3 bedroom 2 bath condo, 1700 sq.
S.

When I could afford a cleaning lady, (which I can't now, sigh...) it was $30 an hour for one woman, and it usually took her about two or two and a half hours to do the whole house.

I think some of it depends on what you plan to have the woman DO. We have two dogs, so there was a lot of vacuuming and extra dusting to do. However, I told the lady NOT to do laundry, as I would do that myself when I got home.

It is VERY important to target exactly what you need the most help with and make sure your cleaning lady knows what matters most to you. I would make a prioritized list for her and say " this at #1 is the most important thing to get done," and so on.

Both women who worked for me worked REALLY hard. I am embarrassed to say that it always seemed like the house was twice as clean as I could get it, lol!!

But they did windows and cleaned the oven- extra things- only if I told them to. I made it clear that I needed vacuuming, dusting, the kitchen and bathrooms cleaned. Every other week, I would leave clean sheets out and they would also strip the beds and change the sheets, too.

Just prioritize the chores that are important to you and don't be afraid to speak up NICELY if something isn't getting done or say "Can you please do this THIS way, that's how I like it".

Chances are they will be happy to accommodate you if they're clear on what you want. Then you won't be paying for stuff you didn't really want done and end up feeling frustrated. I work full time and believe me, it is totally worth it if you can afford it.

You are being overcharged. I use English Maids in Mt. Prospect - if they don't do your area - then will send you to the closer office. Donna is my contact there - her number is ###-###-####. She is very reasonable - for one person for 3 hours she charges $58 - and 4 hours I think is $67. They do a great job and I have been happy with the people they send.

Tell her that M. Hay in Elk Grove recommended you.

M. Hay, Elk grove Village