You probably like your home to be clean, but when it comes down to breaking out the mop and bucket, the vacuum cleaner, the wood polish, sponges, and bleach, do you really have the time or inclination to dive in?
If you feel like groaning just reading about tidying up, it could be worthwhile to hire a cleaning person or service.
There are many factors to consider when thinking about hiring out this task, and that’s where this guide will come in handy. Read on to learn:
• What’s the difference between a cleaning person and a cleaning service?
• How much does hiring a cleaning person or service cost?
• What are the pros and cons of hiring a cleaning person vs. a cleaning service?
• What are the alternatives to hiring a cleaning person or cleaning service for your home?
What Does a Cleaning Person or Service Do?
A cleaning person or service takes care of basic tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, disinfecting the toilets, cleaning the sinks and bathtub/shower, and taking out the garbage.
There are typically add-on services available: laundry, changing the sheets, and doing the dishes for starters. Some of these could be included in the cost depending on the cleaning person or service.
“But, I can (or should) do all that myself!” you may be thinking. In which case, you are likely wondering: Is hiring a cleaning person worth it?
If a spic-and-span home is high on your checklist for maintaining a house, a little research can help determine if a cleaning person or service is right for you. Read on for more detail which can assist you as you make your decision.
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How Much Does a House Cleaner Cost?
The cost for hiring a cleaning person (or independent contractor) will depend on where you live, the size of your home, and how often they will come, but individual cleaners typically charge between $50 and $100 an hour.
Going with an individual generally costs less than hiring a cleaning service. However, they may not offer as many guarantees as a large company.
How Much Do Cleaning Services Cost?
Full-service cleaning companies can charge between $175 and $300 per visit. You can typically get a customized quote based on the size of your home and services you want before you hire a cleaning service. Some companies may have a minimum fee per visit. Generally the more frequently a service comes, the lower the cost per cleaning.
You can also hire a service for specialized, one-time cleaning services, such as after an event or before moving out or moving into a home.
Things to Consider When Hiring a Cleaning Person or Service
When deciding if hiring a house cleaner or cleaning service is worth it, you’ll benefit from addressing a few questions about your monetary situation, schedule, and level of desired cleanliness.
Your Budget
The first step in determining if you can afford a cleaning person or service is to set up a basic budget if you don’t already have one up and running.
If you’re wondering how to make a budget, consider using the 50/30/20 rule. This means putting 50% of the household income toward necessities or musts (which typically includes housing, utilities, food, and debt); 30% towards wants (like dining out and entertainment); and 20% on saving (including retirement) and debt payments beyond the minimum.
Once you see how much cash you have coming in and going out, you’ll be better able to assess if you can afford to pay for cleaning from that 30% that covers “wants.”
Recommended: What is the 50/30/20 Budget?
How Valuable Is Your Time?
A good way to decide whether hiring a house cleaner is worth it is to remember this saying: Time is money. If paying a professional $50 an hour frees you up to make $65 an hour while working, the cost might be worth it, since you’ll come out ahead financially.
Schedules (How Often Are You Home?)
If you work long hours at an office or other workplace, outsourcing your house cleaning will allow you to enjoy your time at home without having to clean. And if the cleaning person or team comes while you’re at work, you won’t have to worry about staying out of their way.
However, if you are someone who works from home, or you or your spouse are a stay-at-home parent, a cleaning person or service can potentially be disruptive.
How Often You Need Your House Cleaned
Frequency of cleaning will matter. While a service may charge less per cleaning if they come weekly vs biweekly or monthly, you’ll still likely save money by having your home cleaned less frequently.
Worth noting: Do you sometimes list your house for renters? If you rent out on Airbnb, you’ll be asked to adhere to Airbnb’s cleaning protocol standards. A cleaning crew is helpful for a quick turnaround between renters.
Cleaning Requirements
The price of a house cleaner or cleaning service can go up depending on what is required of them:
• Level of mess. Do you entertain frequently or have small children? It may take longer to clean up the aftermath. Or maybe you haven’t done a deep-clean in ages. That too may make cleaning take longer.
• Area of mess. Does the whole house always have to be cleaned? You can save money by only having the common areas and bathrooms tidied up.
• Pets. Vacuuming dog and cat hair can add many minutes to a cleaner’s timesheet.
• Are you a neat freak? A deep-clean or super detailed job will cost more than basic dusting, vacuuming, and mopping.
How Good You Are At Cleaning
If you are a disciplined and effective cleaner who loves getting your place spotless, there may be no need to hire someone. That said, there might be times you get too busy to clean or want some help tidying up before the holidays or a houseguest’s arrival.
If you’re the kind of person who ignores dust bunnies or the sight of a broom stresses you out, perhaps you should outsource household tasks and enjoy some time elsewhere.
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Cleaning Services vs Individual Cleaners: What’s the Difference?
An individual cleaning person typically costs less than a cleaning service. A cleaning person often works alone, while a cleaning service can be a crew of two, three, or more who clean simultaneously.
An independent cleaner generally keeps 100% of the earnings, while a portion of the money for a cleaning crew goes to the service provider.
There are other key differences between individual cleaners and cleaning services:
Pros of Hiring a House Cleaning Person
Here are some of the perks that can make a cleaning person worth it:
• Lower costs. An independent contractor can be less expensive than a cleaning service. Fewer workers can mean cheaper rates.
• Price flexibility. You may be able to negotiate cleaning add-ons more easily (and affordably) with an individual.
• Familiarity. The same person comes to your home every time. This can provide a sense of comfort and trust for you and your family.
• Personal recommendations. You can get referrals from someone you trust — a friend or a neighbor.
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Pros of Hiring a Cleaning Service
If you’re considering getting help tidying up around the house, a cleaning service can be worth it. They come with several benefits:
• Vetted employees. Full-service cleaning companies typically check their employees’ backgrounds, so you don’t have to.
• Set standards. Many companies train their employees to uphold a certain level of cleaning criteria.
• Faster service. Since cleaning services are composed of crews, a team of workers can get the job done faster than an individual house cleaner.
• Customer service. If a job isn’t up to snuff, professional companies will deal with any complaints you may have.
Cons of Hiring a House Cleaning Person
• You’ll do the vetting. The responsibility of getting references and background checks on the cleaning candidate will fall to you.
• Longer cleaning time. Since a house cleaner usually works solo, they might not be as fast as a cleaning service with multiple workers.
• Unpleasant boss duties. If your cleaning person is not meeting your expectations, it will be up to you to address the problem and, possibly, terminate the arrangement.
• Inflexible schedule. If the contractor has a lot of clients, there could be fewer timeslot options available.
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Cons of Hiring a Cleaning Service
• Higher prices. A cleaning service generally costs more than an independent maid.
• Lack of familiarity. The company could send different people every time.
• Add-ons can be costly. Since the company sets the prices, you could spend a lot for a deep-clean of the fridge. A cleaning person, on the other hand, might not charge extra if they can get the job done within their hourly time frame.
Alternatives to House Cleaners or Cleaning Services
House cleaners and cleaning services are generally the route people take when hiring help, but there are a few other options:
• Gig-based workers. Apps and online services such as Taskrabbit and Fiverr feature a variety of folks willing to do odd jobs, including house cleaning. Whether they pursue this full-time or as a side hustle, you may well find affordable options.
• College students. If you live near a campus, check the online or physical job boards. Students are generally eager to make extra dough.
• Your kids. Shelling out for an allowance can be a lot cheaper than a cleaning service.
Tips for Saving Money on Cleaning Services
There are a few things you can do to potentially reduce the cost of a cleaning person or service:
• Shop around. It’s a good idea to interview more than one house cleaner or get estimates from multiple cleaning services.
• Make the terms clear. You’ll want to clarify exactly what tasks need to be done, so you won’t get charged for any unexpected add-ons.
• Consider a trial run. It can be a good idea to try out a house cleaner or cleaning service for a month or so before committing to a long-term agreement.
• Inquire about fees. It’s a good idea to ask about any potential extra fees so you don’t hit with any surprises. Some cleaning services may tack on a processing fee if you pay with a credit card vs. direct deposit.
• Look for promotional deals. Cleaning services will occasionally run specials. They may also offer package deals and referral bonuses.
• Tidy up before they come. Keeping your house orderly in between appointments allows the hired cleaner to perform more efficiently.
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The Takeaway
If your messy home is stressing you out, a cleaning person or service can take some of the weight off your shoulders. As long as you can justify the extra expense, hiring a professional can make your home look great and improve your mood, plus leave you with more free time to enjoy your favorite pursuits.
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FAQ
Are individual house cleaners better than cleaning services?
Both are good options if you need help cleaning your house. Typically, a cleaning person can be cheaper and is someone you see regularly and can build a relationship with. A cleaning service, on the other hand, may be able to get the job done faster and may have more professional training and customer service.
Is it safe to hire a cleaning person or service?
To feel secure, it’s a good idea to get recommendations and references (and check them) for an individual cleaning person. Cleaning service companies generally vet their employees for you.
Should you hire a house cleaner if your house is not very dirty?
Whether to hire a cleaning person or not depends on how clean you want to keep your home, and how much time you are willing to personally spend on it. Even if you’re a regular duster, a house cleaner can help with larger tasks like cleaning the fridge and oven, heavy-duty vacuuming, and/or window washing.
Photo credit: iStock/Tatiana
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