"Problem" with cleaners....
Discussion
I discovered today that it seems our cleaners (home) that we pay £9 per hour to an agency for (1 hour a week but two cleaners, so 2 hours effectively) were only at the house for 25 minutes. I did a bit of stakeout because I suspected that they were'nt cleaning for the full hour that we pay for. Someone is having my pants down and I'm not happy. 
Now, since calming down, I'm wondering what to do and where the blame lies. I'm inclined to think that its the agency that's at fault, giving the cleaners more jobs for the day than they can realistically manage. I don't think the cleaners themselves would be inclined to squeeze in more jobs seeing as they're paid by the hour so 8 x whatever they get paid would be the same if they did 5 or 10 houses in the day - I guess.
The thing is, they're good cleaners and don't really want to get them in bother (which I'd imagine will be the case if I ring the agency) but I seem to be paying twice the agreed price, seeing as they're only doing half the agreed cleaning.
Any suggestions?
Now, since calming down, I'm wondering what to do and where the blame lies. I'm inclined to think that its the agency that's at fault, giving the cleaners more jobs for the day than they can realistically manage. I don't think the cleaners themselves would be inclined to squeeze in more jobs seeing as they're paid by the hour so 8 x whatever they get paid would be the same if they did 5 or 10 houses in the day - I guess.
The thing is, they're good cleaners and don't really want to get them in bother (which I'd imagine will be the case if I ring the agency) but I seem to be paying twice the agreed price, seeing as they're only doing half the agreed cleaning.
Any suggestions?
When I interviewed the firm that does my apartment, I told them what I required, they said it'll take one person 3 hours once a week, I said o.k. It all gets done and to the standard I require. If it didn't I'd complain.
I think the question is "are they doing all the cleaning you asked for and to the level you require?"
I think the question is "are they doing all the cleaning you asked for and to the level you require?"
Talk to your contact at the agency.
If it's one of the reputable ones (and I speak from similar experience to you) they'll be keen to sort it out.
Perhaps time to just to re-negotiate and refresh and re-iterate your expectations from them.
I remember having similar thoughts, but coming to the conclusion that it's not the time they spend, but what they can effectively achieve. I'm not saying to accept less than a good service, but I employed cleaners purely because they could do something in a time limit that I would never achieve. I know full well that some weeks' work was very easy for them, not much more than a lick and a promise, yet they were "keeping on top" of something that would have drifted without their service.
If it's one of the reputable ones (and I speak from similar experience to you) they'll be keen to sort it out.
Perhaps time to just to re-negotiate and refresh and re-iterate your expectations from them.
I remember having similar thoughts, but coming to the conclusion that it's not the time they spend, but what they can effectively achieve. I'm not saying to accept less than a good service, but I employed cleaners purely because they could do something in a time limit that I would never achieve. I know full well that some weeks' work was very easy for them, not much more than a lick and a promise, yet they were "keeping on top" of something that would have drifted without their service.
neil.b said:
The thing is, they're good cleaners
Would the quality be double if they actually did the fully paid time?
I'd have a word with the cleaners themselves first, you paid for a service, they are there to provide a service, now get on with it. More diplomatic than that of course though! IMO I don't think the agency would double book them so they had too much work, it just seems unlikely to me. But then I'm usually wrong.
At the end of the day, regardless of the fact that you're paying them by the hour, what you're really paying for is for getting the job done. If they have got the job done in 25mins then fair play. It is only if they haven't got the job done that you should consider complaining.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 9th December 13:31
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 9th December 13:31
Set myself up for that one. ZR1cliff said:
If you are paying for the hour,then you want the hour,if they go round quicker and get all the jobs done then 5 or ten minutes is OK ,but not 35 minutes.
It needs a word in their "Shell like".
That's my thinking. 25 minutes is not even half. If they're THAT good, they can send one girl. Unless one of them is doing 95% of the work
neil.b said:
If you are paying for the hour,then you want the hour,if they go round quicker and get all the jobs done then 5 or ten minutes is OK ,but not 35 minutes.
It needs a word in their "Shell like".
That's my thinking. 25 minutes is not even half. If they're THAT good, they can send one girl. Unless one of them is doing 95% of the work
I would query them,no harm done if just metion it,it will put your mind straight plus they will be more careful in future not to take the P155(if indeed they did)
Plus when you walk in next the girls will love you for your strict disciplinarian ways(you will be viewed as a right bastard),now thats when you can crack the wip
ZR1cliff said:
I would query them,no harm done if just metion it,it will put your mind straight plus they will be more careful in future not to take the P155(if indeed they did)
Plus when you walk in next the girls will love you for your strict disciplinarian ways(you will be viewed as a right bastard),now thats when you can crack the wip
and they can pee in your kettle
Cotty said:
I would query them,no harm done if just metion it,it will put your mind straight plus they will be more careful in future not to take the P155(if indeed they did)
Plus when you walk in next the girls will love you for your strict disciplinarian ways(you will be viewed as a right bastard),now thats when you can crack the wip
and they can pee in your kettle
Not to mention the Tooth brush trick...
Best not say anything ,for the sake of fresh breath ,leave it.
I suppose it's a bit like garage rates - there's a 'book time' for each job, which is what you're charged, but if the mechanic works quickly and finishes early you don't get any money off.
Maybe they are there longer some weeks, but this time you'd had a particularly tidy week and didn't leave much mess. Leave the house like a tip next week and time them again...
Maybe they are there longer some weeks, but this time you'd had a particularly tidy week and didn't leave much mess. Leave the house like a tip next week and time them again...
staceyb said:
If it only takes an hour to do what they do why don't you just do it yourself?
My thoughts exactly.
Get to yourself or pay up and look cheerful. I wouldn't have the nerve to come on here complaining that my cleaners costing £18 a week were not doing my cleaning for two hours.
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