How Much Does a Maid Cost?

If you are a busy working mom, a professional on the go, someone who just doesn't like to clean, or a person with bad arthritis who can't get at the corners, having cleaning help is invaluable, yet must be within your budget. How much does a maid cost? Before you sign up with the Maids of DC or any other service, you'll want to do some research to find out the going rate in your area.

Maid services typically charge only for the time at your home, so if you live in an area where commuting is a hassle, the rates will be higher than if you lived in a place with less traffic congestion. Unfortunately, like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Make sure you are very clear what is covered in the cost of maid service and more importantly, what is NOT covered.

Professional maid services usually charge according to the size of your home, based on either square footage or the number of rooms. If you have a 10-room house, you will pay considerably more than if you have a one-bedroom condo. Condition plays a part too, so if your home is extremely dirty, or if there are items on display that must be moved during each cleaning, your rates will be higher. Services typically estimate the costs based on these factors, often after an in person visit.

Rates for first-time cleaning, deep cleaning, or one time cleaning are higher than for regular visits. The Maids of DC, for example, offer a 22 Point Healthy Touch whole house cleaning approach to regular cleaning, but any company should specify what you can expect in a typical cleaning package. Most will gladly quote rates for other services.

Charges for maid services include cleaning supplies and equipment, which is not only convenient but assures that they will have the best solution for your cleaning needs on hand. Maid companies also train their workers in the most effective cleaning methods.

If you are researching the cost of maid service, you might consider hiring a private individual to do the work for you. The price per day may be a bit cheaper, but what is the real cost to you? Must you supply equipment or cleaning supplies? Are the workers insured or bonded? Are they in the U.S. legally? Is it dependable? Do they have a backup to cover your job if they are not able to come? Since you will be paying them by the day or hour, they will be responsible for their own taxes, but you will have to pay Social Security and other employer's taxes and for them if your yearly outlay exceeds a certain amount. The rate that you pay a professional cleaning service includes supplies, insurance, and taxes.

When figuring out how much a maid costs, you must factor in quality, convenience, and dependability.