Advice from fellow Old Blues... on cleaning costs?
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Advice from fellow Old Blues... on cleaning costs?
Hello.... most people know that my house was damaged by a flood on 10/11 February and that I and my pets (2 cats, 1 dog) have tried to compromise on living here ever since. The house is a 3-bed semi detached 1960's bogstandard house, with no downstairs loo etc. and (downstairs) a walk-through sitting room/dining room/conservatory, with a tiny kitchen off the dining room.
Today I had a quotation from a contract cleaning company for
a) spring cleaning after the builders have left (they started today) - £1,269.34
b) fortnightly normal cleaning thereafter (£111.63) - to take over from my (unsatisfactory) 'Wiping Lady' to whom I have paid £15 a fortnight
I am still reeling from the shock of these quotations (which I cannot afford to accept!!), so I am wondering if other users of the Forum have had similar experiences or can recommend appropriate courses of action as far as I am concerned???????
Today I had a quotation from a contract cleaning company for
a) spring cleaning after the builders have left (they started today) - £1,269.34
b) fortnightly normal cleaning thereafter (£111.63) - to take over from my (unsatisfactory) 'Wiping Lady' to whom I have paid £15 a fortnight
I am still reeling from the shock of these quotations (which I cannot afford to accept!!), so I am wondering if other users of the Forum have had similar experiences or can recommend appropriate courses of action as far as I am concerned???????
Kerren Simmonds
5's and 2's Hertford, 1957-1966
5's and 2's Hertford, 1957-1966
- marty
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Kerren that seems extremely high. I don't have much experience with cleaning companies per se but I did used to work in facilities management. For that money I'd expect an army of people - did they say what equipment they'd be using, how many people they'd have cleaning your house and how long it would take? For that amount of money you should definitely get them to tell you what you're getting for your cash - preferably in writing. My advice would be to then get quotes from at least two other firms. If you still can't afford the cheapest quote maybe you could look into hiring the equipment yourself and asking friends to do the work for you in return for fish & chips/cups of tea/etc....
Do you not have insurance to cover this anyway?
Let us know how you get on.
Do you not have insurance to cover this anyway?
Let us know how you get on.
My therapist says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. We’ll see about that.
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Re: Advice from fellow Old Blues... on cleaning costs?
Two strands to this:kerrensimmonds wrote:Hello.... most people know that my house was damaged by a flood on 10/11 February and that I and my pets (2 cats, 1 dog) have tried to compromise on living here ever since. The house is a 3-bed semi detached 1960's bogstandard house, with no downstairs loo etc. and (downstairs) a walk-through sitting room/dining room/conservatory, with a tiny kitchen off the dining room.
Today I had a quotation from a contract cleaning company for
a) spring cleaning after the builders have left (they started today) - £1,269.34
b) fortnightly normal cleaning thereafter (£111.63) - to take over from my (unsatisfactory) 'Wiping Lady' to whom I have paid £15 a fortnight
I am still reeling from the shock of these quotations (which I cannot afford to accept!!), so I am wondering if other users of the Forum have had similar experiences or can recommend appropriate courses of action as far as I am concerned???????
1) What you describe as "spring cleaning." I agree with Marty that either your house buildings or contents insurance should cover this. It is part and parcel of restoring you to your pre damage (i.e the flood) position and I don't see how the insurance company could reasonably dispute that.
2) Fortnightly cleaning: Our "office" is a large double fronted Victorian house and the firm pays a couple £420 a month. The couple purchase toilet rolls, washing up liquid, their own vacuum cleaners and other cleaning materials from this amount too. They come in 5 evenings a week.
Your quote may be slightly more reasonable than it appears at first sight if they are supplying vacuum cleaner, cleaning materials etc, etc.
However if you have to supply everything I would be inclined to seek a more competitive quote elsewhere.
Ma A, Mid A 65 -72
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You can't get a house-cleaner round these parts for much less than 15 quid an hour, Mary.englishangel wrote:Our cleaners charge £13.50 an hour + VAT but they do a fantastic job. These are commercial rates, I would think household rates would be quite a bit lower.
Hence, 'Er Indoors does it !
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Kerren,
I dug out my BUILDINGS insurance policy to see whether I'd remembered correctly. I would expect your cover to be similar:
We will pay up to the amount shown in your schedule for loss or damage to your buildings during the period of cover caused by the following (relevant bits only quoted)
Storm or flood
Water or oil escaping from any washing machine, dishwasher or fixed water installation or heating system.
Clearance costs and fees
Any reasonable fees and clearance costs which arise as a result of any insured damage within this section and which we have approved.
Temporary accommodation and loss of rent
Up to the amount shown in your schedule for:
all reasonable costs necessary to provide comparable alternative accomodation for your household and your pets if you usually live in the home but cannot because of a cause listed in this section.
The same kind of wording is applicable to contents insurance too.
In your shoes Kerren I would speak to the insurance company and if they try to argue about the cleaning costs (they shouldn't) I would then point out that I had minimised the claim liability by continuing to live in when I could legitimately have moved out. The least they could do is pay clearance costs!
Good luck I hope you sort it!
I dug out my BUILDINGS insurance policy to see whether I'd remembered correctly. I would expect your cover to be similar:
We will pay up to the amount shown in your schedule for loss or damage to your buildings during the period of cover caused by the following (relevant bits only quoted)
Storm or flood
Water or oil escaping from any washing machine, dishwasher or fixed water installation or heating system.
Clearance costs and fees
Any reasonable fees and clearance costs which arise as a result of any insured damage within this section and which we have approved.
Temporary accommodation and loss of rent
Up to the amount shown in your schedule for:
all reasonable costs necessary to provide comparable alternative accomodation for your household and your pets if you usually live in the home but cannot because of a cause listed in this section.
The same kind of wording is applicable to contents insurance too.
In your shoes Kerren I would speak to the insurance company and if they try to argue about the cleaning costs (they shouldn't) I would then point out that I had minimised the claim liability by continuing to live in when I could legitimately have moved out. The least they could do is pay clearance costs!
Good luck I hope you sort it!
Ma A, Mid A 65 -72
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To restore your home to the standard it was pre-flood should be covered by the insurance. When we were flooded, the insurance took care of the dehumidifiers for drying out, replastering, tanking and replacement of carpets (of the same quality). As Mid A 15 says, speak to your insurers. I do feel for you - it's such a rotten thing to happen. I found it very unsettling.
Catherine Standing (Cooper) 
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Any idiot can deal with a crisis. It takes a genius to cope with everyday life.

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Thank you all who have responded so helpfully.
The good news is that I have found another company - 2 people for three hours or so = £90, to do the spring clean.
The bad news is the dispute with the insurance company who continue to maintain that I cannot expect them to 'do my housework'. They are prepared to send back the industrial cleaners if the builders think it's merited - but they are not able to help with more delicate stuff e.g. general dusting or hoovering or washing down of the kitchen or bathroom. I argue that the kitchen surfaces and cupboard doors remain stained with the brown/black water which poured out of the ceiling, and the sunken (white) hob has a brown watermark where the water sat in it. The bathroom floor is grimey where the plumbers crawled around refitting floorboards and furniture. Surely these at least should be covered? The argument between me and the insurance company continues....
And yes I am plugging the point about restoration. In fact my (albeit not very good) cleaning lady had been just the day before chaos struck.
So watch this space!
Kerren
The good news is that I have found another company - 2 people for three hours or so = £90, to do the spring clean.
The bad news is the dispute with the insurance company who continue to maintain that I cannot expect them to 'do my housework'. They are prepared to send back the industrial cleaners if the builders think it's merited - but they are not able to help with more delicate stuff e.g. general dusting or hoovering or washing down of the kitchen or bathroom. I argue that the kitchen surfaces and cupboard doors remain stained with the brown/black water which poured out of the ceiling, and the sunken (white) hob has a brown watermark where the water sat in it. The bathroom floor is grimey where the plumbers crawled around refitting floorboards and furniture. Surely these at least should be covered? The argument between me and the insurance company continues....
And yes I am plugging the point about restoration. In fact my (albeit not very good) cleaning lady had been just the day before chaos struck.
So watch this space!
Kerren
Kerren Simmonds
5's and 2's Hertford, 1957-1966
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Hoovering and dusting in undamaged rooms is probably outside most insurance.kerrensimmonds wrote:Thank you all who have responded so helpfully.
The good news is that I have found another company - 2 people for three hours or so = £90, to do the spring clean.
The bad news is the dispute with the insurance company who continue to maintain that I cannot expect them to 'do my housework'. They are prepared to send back the industrial cleaners if the builders think it's merited - but they are not able to help with more delicate stuff e.g. general dusting or hoovering or washing down of the kitchen or bathroom. I argue that the kitchen surfaces and cupboard doors remain stained with the brown/black water which poured out of the ceiling, and the sunken (white) hob has a brown watermark where the water sat in it. The bathroom floor is grimey where the plumbers crawled around refitting floorboards and furniture. Surely these at least should be covered? The argument between me and the insurance company continues....
And yes I am plugging the point about restoration. In fact my (albeit not very good) cleaning lady had been just the day before chaos struck.
So watch this space!
Kerren
Wet / stained kitchen cupboard doors, stained worktops, stains on the kitchen sink , dirt caused by / left by their workmen (plumbers) certainly should be their responsibility.
Kerren; it looks like you need to get your own loss adjuster because I suspect there is a lot more they are trying to avoid. What about plastic containers lined with bacteria, electrical goods which were in the cupboards, the kitchen cupboards themselves probably have carcasses made of laminated chipboard - that will need replacement if it got more than splashed.
Remember that you have to sign off the works and if your signature is not on the document they are still on the hook.
You are merely yet another victim of the insurance companies; I even got a letter from the agents of one whose local sub is, I think, the biggest in the UK saying that "the company does not pay claims". I hadn't even claimed!
Best of luck
David
Having more money doesn't make you happier. I have 50 million dollars
but I'm just as happy as when I had 48 million.
(Arnold Schwarzenegger!)
but I'm just as happy as when I had 48 million.
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Thanks David and Matt.... yes I am beginning to feel a bit like a victim! The Ins. Co is sending its industrial 'cleaner' to make an assessment on Monday - but e.g. one of the problems is thick white dust on the furniture in my dining room (next to the kitchen) and sitting room (open plan with the dining room). I cannot see blokes with thick rubber gloves lifting up my ornaments and dusting and polishing!
I'm not asking them to support the cleaning in the three rooms (bedrooms) not affected...just inviting them to contribute two thirds to the overall bill. That would be much cheaper than getting their industrial people back in, and more satisfactory for me. But they won't budge. It looks as if I might have to delay my £90 cleaners who were due to come on Wednesday....
All I want is my house back again! I have been camping here, unsatisfactorily and unhappily, for two and a half months.
But I'm an Old Blue, so I will carry on fighting.......
I'm not asking them to support the cleaning in the three rooms (bedrooms) not affected...just inviting them to contribute two thirds to the overall bill. That would be much cheaper than getting their industrial people back in, and more satisfactory for me. But they won't budge. It looks as if I might have to delay my £90 cleaners who were due to come on Wednesday....
All I want is my house back again! I have been camping here, unsatisfactorily and unhappily, for two and a half months.
But I'm an Old Blue, so I will carry on fighting.......
Kerren Simmonds
5's and 2's Hertford, 1957-1966
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I think the suggestion that you need new units and a new hob might concentrate their minds. David is absolutely right in what he says.
As I said above you very probably had an entitlement to claim for yourself and your pets to live elsewhere whilst the house was being repaired. You saved them money by staying put in uncomfortable conditions.
They need to be reminded of that fact and if they still won't play ball threaten them with the Financial Ombudsman.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/c_buildings_insurance.pdf
They know your conditions are uncomfortable and are trying to exploit that for their own ends!
You've paid the premiums so get back from them what you are entitled to!
Good luck!
As I said above you very probably had an entitlement to claim for yourself and your pets to live elsewhere whilst the house was being repaired. You saved them money by staying put in uncomfortable conditions.
They need to be reminded of that fact and if they still won't play ball threaten them with the Financial Ombudsman.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/c_buildings_insurance.pdf
They know your conditions are uncomfortable and are trying to exploit that for their own ends!
You've paid the premiums so get back from them what you are entitled to!
Good luck!
Ma A, Mid A 65 -72
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Kerrenkerrensimmonds wrote:Thanks David and Matt.... yes I am beginning to feel a bit like a victim! The Ins. Co is sending its industrial 'cleaner' to make an assessment on Monday - but e.g. one of the problems is thick white dust on the furniture in my dining room (next to the kitchen) and sitting room (open plan with the dining room). I cannot see blokes with thick rubber gloves lifting up my ornaments and dusting and polishing!
I'm not asking them to support the cleaning in the three rooms (bedrooms) not affected...just inviting them to contribute two thirds to the overall bill. That would be much cheaper than getting their industrial people back in, and more satisfactory for me. But they won't budge. It looks as if I might have to delay my £90 cleaners who were due to come on Wednesday....
All I want is my house back again! I have been camping here, unsatisfactorily and unhappily, for two and a half months.
But I'm an Old Blue, so I will carry on fighting.......
Forget about their costs. Thay have arrangements with builders, cleaners etc etc which allow them to pay pence in the pound - and then they claim to you that it is expensive. Absolute rubbish.
My guess is they will pay cleaners no more than £50 to do your house. Industrial cleaners? what sort of animal is that? Do you have asbestos to be removed? If not then any cleaner is a cleaner. Period. The word "industrial" is to b*lls**t you, no more, no less so don't be fooled.
Do you have a friend who cleans houses? Get him/her in to make his/her report and send a copy to the insurance company stating that their cleaner is incompetent (or that by implication) - and don't forget to invoice them for your adviser's charge.
What I tend to do when I am having problems with "service suppliers" is to add another item to the toll every time I have to contact them. You have a long list like electrical circuits (ensure they give you a certificate of electrical safety for all the circuits which were within 6 feet of the leak)
, have all your electric appliances checked by them (electric mixer, coffee perculator, electric carving knife, electric tin opener, ............ and then proper cleaning of any food containers etc. (saucepans, plastic storage boxes, kitchen tools) which could have become contaminated and which you will use to hold food - don't forget your clingfilm, aluminium foil need to be thrown out if the water came near them ...............) Eventually you hoipoe they will get the message that their bill goes up every timne you contact them. I cannot see why you don't move out - threaten them with that.
Another one is that they say they are coming at 9am - if they are not there by 9.15 you go out to the shops and then complain that they didn't arrive on time despite your staying in after the arranged time.
Kerren - you have a lot of cards in your hand - don't hand them over - make them sweat for every one. As the MP said to the crook (which you aren't), "Don't let the bu**ers get you down"
David
Having more money doesn't make you happier. I have 50 million dollars
but I'm just as happy as when I had 48 million.
(Arnold Schwarzenegger!)
but I'm just as happy as when I had 48 million.
(Arnold Schwarzenegger!)
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Hello David. Thank you for that.
I had to wait a week before it was declared that there is no asbestos involved. The electrical testing has been done, a number of items removed and condemned. I have replaced them all via judicious purchasing on eBay, and the Ins. Co. has already reimbursed me for those items. They have also repaid me the up to £10 a day for food, in the first three weeks when the kitchen was unusable totally (even now the only bit I can use is the new microwave).
Yes I could have moved out two and a half months ago, and the insurance co. knows that. But because of my dog's insecurities (which they also know about), it was better for me to camp here, with the dog. (The cats have gone into the cattery, at the insurance co's expense). I am just at the moment pretty p*ss*d off that after two and a half months of camping in insalubrious circumstances, and thinking that we were near the end of that, that everything has gone sour and the arguments recommence. It is very disspiriting.....
I had to wait a week before it was declared that there is no asbestos involved. The electrical testing has been done, a number of items removed and condemned. I have replaced them all via judicious purchasing on eBay, and the Ins. Co. has already reimbursed me for those items. They have also repaid me the up to £10 a day for food, in the first three weeks when the kitchen was unusable totally (even now the only bit I can use is the new microwave).
Yes I could have moved out two and a half months ago, and the insurance co. knows that. But because of my dog's insecurities (which they also know about), it was better for me to camp here, with the dog. (The cats have gone into the cattery, at the insurance co's expense). I am just at the moment pretty p*ss*d off that after two and a half months of camping in insalubrious circumstances, and thinking that we were near the end of that, that everything has gone sour and the arguments recommence. It is very disspiriting.....
Kerren Simmonds
5's and 2's Hertford, 1957-1966
5's and 2's Hertford, 1957-1966
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Don't forget your toothbrush. Blimey I don't have any of these products and there are five of us in this house.sejintenej wrote:Forget about their costs. Thay have arrangements with builders, cleaners etc etc which allow them to pay pence in the pound - and then they claim to you that it is expensive. Absolute rubbish.
My guess is they will pay cleaners no more than £50 to do your house. Industrial cleaners? what sort of animal is that? Do you have asbestos to be removed? If not then any cleaner is a cleaner. Period. The word "industrial" is to b*lls**t you, no more, no less so don't be fooled.
Do you have a friend who cleans houses? Get him/her in to make his/her report and send a copy to the insurance company stating that their cleaner is incompetent (or that by implication) - and don't forget to invoice them for your adviser's charge.
What I tend to do when I am having problems with "service suppliers" is to add another item to the toll every time I have to contact them. You have a long list like electrical circuits (ensure they give you a certificate of electrical safety for all the circuits which were within 6 feet of the leak)
, have all your electric appliances checked by them (electric mixer, coffee perculator, electric carving knife, electric tin opener, ............ and then proper cleaning of any food containers etc. (saucepans, plastic storage boxes, kitchen tools) which could have become contaminated and which you will use to hold food - don't forget your clingfilm, aluminium foil need to be thrown out if the water came near them ...............) Eventually you hoipoe they will get the message that their bill goes up every timne you contact them. I cannot see why you don't move out - threaten them with that.
Another one is that they say they are coming at 9am - if they are not there by 9.15 you go out to the shops and then complain that they didn't arrive on time despite your staying in after the arranged time.
Kerren - you have a lot of cards in your hand - don't hand them over - make them sweat for every one. As the MP said to the crook (which you aren't), "Don't let the bu**ers get you down"
David
"If a man speaks, and there isn't a woman to hear him, is he still wrong?"