Input - what to ask a potential housekeeper Okay, I'm considering hiring some help. I get so few hours to myself that not having to do my weekly cleaning & laundry would totally be worth the $15/hour. My dog walker & house sitters I've all gotten through the neighbourhood by meeting them at dog parks, in the pet stores etc, so this is the first time I'd be responding to an ad. How would I know whether references are authentic? What about a criminal background check - how do I validate it? Should s/he be insured? Maybe I should check with my apartment insurance to find out if I'm covered if I get robbed... Does anyone else have someone help them around the house? She advertises her services as "pet friendly" meaning she's not afraid to work around the animals, clean up the pet hair and uses only natural cleaning products. Suggestions & thoughts?

FD - some comments I don't have help, but having friends that do/did..this is what they have shared with me over the years. For laundry I suggest you find a local laundromat that will wash/iron...there is a place at Spadina/Dupont that will do it and are ok, or if there is a place near you. For housekeeping, if you do not have a referral from a friend, I'd be wary (but that is my cautious nature). A friend of mine had asked her landlord for a recommendation and 2 women cleaned her place for $100, and she was present when they did it and she was not pleased....Other friends got referreals from neighbors and such. If you haven't already done so, ask your landlord or try Professional cleaning services (ie, Molly Maid), I think they are insured...

thanks mad-t not owning a car, dropping off and picking up my laundry is as much a pain in the ass as actually doing it in my own building. It's really the floors, the bathroom, the laundry and the kitchen fridge and sink that I would appreciate help with. I guess I should just ask around.

references to I wish I could get someone for $15 an hour. Here is $20+. I have had someone off and on for years. I never had any theft troubles but I did have a cleaning trouble w/one.She went wehere I said not to go! Fired

your dungeon?

try to stay around for a couple of times If he/she is reputable she would not mind if you agreed to check her work before making a committment. Then again a new broom sweeps clean

yes, definitely. My place is very small, so I'd likely take the dog out for a spin rather than hang over her shoulder the whole time, but maybe the first couple of times I could be "working" on the computer. Thanks.

yes, I agree with CV, do stay around for first few times.

I agree, check references My Mom's housecleaners were from an agency, and one of them stole a really valuable ring from her. The rest of the women were nice, but they also ruined the kitchen floor by using the wrong products. It had to be replaced. My Mom didn't have the heart to "get them in trouble," bless her heart, so she swallowed the $$ losses. I know, this isn't very encouraging - sorry. But I used to clean houses for a living, and I was great! Honorable, thorough and cheap. I never looked in a drawer or neglected a mess... Back then we only made $x/hr., too!

I have always wanted to hire crime scene cleanup people and see just how clean they can get my kitchen floor.

Sometimes I read the fo, just to see where you will go with a thread. Today is prizeworthy.

Yep, ODTM is stand-up at it's best I'm a huge fan.

If it turns out anything like mine.....spotless. They have all the good products. And the refridgerator gaskets will sparkle like never before.

I don't think I could hire someone through an ad. I would have to find out about the person through a friend or accquaintance. Have you asked all your friends/co-workers /neighbors if they have somebody?

no one I know has anyone. I don't like to be too verbal with my friends, I've been out-earning most of them for years and have learned to keep the conversation the hell away from money. my co-workers live with their families and have help with the chores. I'll start asking around in the dog park to see if anyone has someone they could recommend. Thanks!

Recommendations and references I have a cleaning lady who comes once a month. I made a list of the things that I wanted her to do and reviewed it with her, and then she gave me the price. I provide the products I want her to use, because I like certain products, and I don't want sponges, mops or dustclothes that are used at a different house. My cleaning lady charges $x, and she works for abouthours, withother helpers. She washes the floors, cleans out the frig, scrubs the bathrooms, changes the sheets, dusts, cleans the blinds, stove and counters, vacuums. I got her from a reference.

thanks!