I need help...

[SoCalDem]

My sons want to get me a "cleaning lady"..

Since I am alone now, and hate to clean I am ok with the idea, but I don't want to use a "service" that I pay big bucks for and the actual cleaner gets a pittance..

Anyone here have hired help?? Is $15 an hour an okay wage? How do I handle the FICA thing?

I only need someone to clean one bathroom (No one uses the other 4)

Only vacuum in two rooms

light mopping kitchen,den,hallways, dining room

Three guest rooms are rarely used so they remain closed up..

minor dusting..

I think 2-3 hours every other week should do the trick..

Should I use Craig's list or run an ad??

I have asked around, but since we were new to WA, I don;t know that many people...

It's hard to believe that my husband died a month ago already.. He used to help a lot.. Ever since I had my 2 strokes in 2014, I still get a little light-headed bending down, so he did the "low stuff"..

I had to call the trash company to figure out which can was recycle and which was trash.. Never needed to know before..

[Liberty Belle]

1. Join a Next Door forum in your zip code area, and ask there.

Ours is very helpful for things like this, and it's also a good way to get to know some neighbors.

You might also check with a local seniors center, or if you belong to a church, ask around there.

Thank you very much for agreeing to hire the help you need. I've been battling with my mom who is 88, getting dementia, and has decided she doesn't need to clean her house anymore but won't let anyone else do it. It's getting to be a health hazard and we're all stressing trying to figure out what to do.

I am sure you will find someone. In our area we have a wonderful Mexican housekeeper whose been helping me for 20 years, ever since I had a neck/back injury that makes it too painful to do things like scrub floors. It's wonderful to have the house clean and have your time freed up for other things you would like to do.

[SoCalDem]

3. Do I google "Next Door Forum"?

This is all new to me... I have always done everything myself..

I am 69 and have some degree of breathing issues.. I get winded very quickly and am never in a hurry, but it takes me forever to vacuum/mop..

My living room measures 30 x 26 and cleaning the tub is hard for me.. I can't call Bill to help me out

I should move to a smaller house, but our move here was brutal, and I cannot bear the thought of paying to move again (even if it;s local).. I just close off 2/3 of the house

[Freddie]

2. I have a disabled relative

She has back and other orthopedic issues and while she’s ok with light cooking and laundry for herself, she can’t do the vacuuming, etc. When her husband died unexpectedly, some in the family decided to get her a cleaning service monthly. I went to Yelp and read dozens of reviews, and went with the company with all positive reviews. Locally owned, not a chain. Been 2 years now and she’s still very happy with them. I’m sure the rates are regional, they charge $145 for a thorough cleaning - toilets, vacuum, dust etc. - house is a small cape cod and my relative does not use the 2nd floor so that gets a quick dust and vacuum.
She also gets her groceries delivered (Peapod) which she LOVES and has been the main thing that lets her stay in the house.

[NanceGreggs]

4. If you're on FaceBook ...

... check to see if there are any "neighbourhood groups" that encompass the area where you live.

I belong to such an FB group that is specific to the immediate area I live in - the east end of Toronto. Members of the group are always asking for/recommending house cleaners, repairmen, pet-sitters, etc. It's been a goldmine of info for me - and is a great way to promote "hiring local" within your own 'hood.

[Grasswire2]

5. You might think about finding a live-in.

Because you have lots of space, and it's not a bad idea to have someone around. A student, perhaps. I'm sure that many people need that opportunity to trade work for a room. Check any possible person out carefully, of course.

I wouldn't expose my status on craigslist or in an ad. There are more under-the-radar ways to find help.

[SoCalDem]

6. I have thought of that

but I think my bestie (from SoCal) is going to move up here after the first of the year.. She's ready to retire and we miss each other.. She's the sister I should have had .. If things fall through on her move, I will go to the local college and see about getting student..

[csziggy]

10. Before you take in someone, check landlord tenant laws in your state and area

Some places it is really really hard to evict someone who lives in your house full time. If you let someone move in and they turn out to be really obnoxious, you don't want to be stuck with a months long eviction procedure.

When we hired caretakers to do twenty four hour a day care for our Mom, we were advised to use a service that rotated them. No one person stayed longer than three full days in a row in the house with Mom.

[safeinOhio]

7. My friend let a college student from Nepal

move in, in exchange for some basic house work. Turn out to be a great experience for both parties. She was perhaps the nicest person on earth and they are now life time friends. She now loves spicy food and has a million Face Book friends in Nepal.

Best of luck, I'm your age and relate to not being able to do what I once could do.

[FSogol]

8. Cleaning ladies around here don't charge by the hour, they charge by the size of the house

It is usually

$50 for small homes, condos, and apartments
$100 for large homes
$150-200 for McMansions

[BlueInRedHell]

9. Same here. There are also benefits in using an actual service. r/o

The company will be insured, licensed and bonded. A cleaner could damage something expensive, slip while mopping, etc. Homeowner's insurance often fights claims.

[Major Nikon]

11. I've had several

Option 1: Cleaning services which in my experience do the worst job and are the most expensive, but this is going to depend greatly on the service used and who they hire so I'm sure there's lots of variance here. The advantage is no paperwork hassles on your part and you don't have to worry about hiring or firing. Many services are licensed and bonded which reduces your worries that much more.

Option 2: Hiring by the hour, which is usually the cheapest option but obligates you to fulfill the employer role which includes FICA. It's not terribly complicated, but may include local requirements so it's best to use a software app or hire an accountant to set it up unless you want to do your own research and hope you are doing it correctly.

Option 3: Hiring an independent contractor. This route requires a bit of paperwork also such as a W-9 and it's a good idea to have an actual contract with them. At least here in Texas, many of the people who do this kind of work are undocumented, so asking them to fill out a W-9 often scares them off, but it's the same issue you'll have with option #2 and the W-4 provided you want to do either of these options legally. Most people I know simply pay them cash. Pretty much the only people I know who get busted by the IRS are politicians. The problem is if the IRS suspects you are doing it, they will assume option #2 unless you can prove otherwise and this could potentially make you liable for a lot of back FICA, interest charges, and fines.

Word of mouth is the best way to find whichever option you go with. Ask around with people you know or businesses you associate with. Chances are you'll find someone who has cleaning help and they may have availability to do your home as well. Make sure you have a clear set of expectations up front and you can pretty much count on going through one or more people or services until you find someone you are comfortable with and then after you use them for a few months there's a good chance they will move on to something else and you have to start all over again.