I realize I'm WAY overpaying our housekeeper ($200/wk for 5 hrs work or $40/hr.) Which of these solutions would you recommend?

by a SkinnyScoop member in Housekeeping •14 responses  • Embed on Blog
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Friends vs. Everyone
Everyone
  Everyone
(14)		  
50% Other
36% Increase workload - pay same weekly total but expect 2-3 hours extra work (lawn work, silver polishing, etc)
14% Cut hourly rate - move to market rate or a little above market rate but maintain same duties/hours worked
- Do nothing - is it really worth upsetting her?


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Friends
Everyone
A SkinnyScoop Member
other
If that's her rate, then better to let her go saying that you found a cheaper housekeeper. Then if she offers, re-hire at lower rate. If not, then hire cheaper housekeeper.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
other
That's WAY above market value and there's little chance that she'd accept a pay cut, so unless she's also cooking or doing non traditional chores for you, I'd consider looking around for a new housekeeper. We used to pay $80 every other week for 3 or 4 hours of work each time. So about $20/hour.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
other
so i pay almost the same hourly as you and have the same problem. we've tried increasing the workload, but didn't work, but it's worth trying to discuss that. i am reluctant to cut her salary in this economy. what we have tried also is not having her do one of her regular tasks, and replacing it with something more important/challenging. for instance the fireplace or windows.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
other
I think this is increasingly becoming the norm. I paid my housekeeper $250.00 last week for 5 hours work which is $50.00 an hour. My solution..have them come every 10 days so they are there 3 times a week instead of 4. What's 3 more days of waiting for them to come every week for things to get spiffy?
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
Increase w...
I don't really see how you can dial her back so I think the only option is to increase the work you expect from her or start looking for a new person that is willing to work with the rate you now know to be the norm.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
Cut hourly...
Depends how much you like this person... Have an honest conversation and see what works. Be prepared to move to another housekeeper if you can't make it work out.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
other
Could you give her the choice of reduced pay or increased hours? If she really needs the money and you have work she can do that would be a nice solution. Good luck. I really, really hate conversations like the one you need to have. I feel for you.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
Increase w...
This was my situation so what we did was increase the workload. In addition to normal cleaning, I would list some extra things each week such as silver polishing, hand washing of clothes, thorough cleaning of fridge, etc. That added about 1 more hour so I still overpay but at least I feel better. We really didn't want to let our woman go or eat into her take-home pay.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
Cut hourly...
That is ridiculous. I have two people come for about 2-3 hours and it's $80 total.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
other
Depends on your situation. I don't like paying more than market rate. $40/hr is at least double the going rate in my area. I had a similar situation when searching for a housekeeper. The bids (all from housecleaners recommended by friends whose homes I think are clean. ie pre-qualified candidates) varied by 300%. I felt like the ones who came in so high were less trustworthy and were just trying to see what they could milk.
1 year ago
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A SkinnyScoop Member
other
I would start shopping around for someone else. I can't see how either increasing the workload or cutting the hourly rate is going to go over very well. I'd go through the steps to find someone else at the right rate.
11 months ago
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