https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:04:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2442351 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 18:01:39 +0000 youboots 2442351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A woman, her husband and daughter. Sometimes 2 of them, sometimes all 3. I've been using them for almost 4 years. They treat us like family and vice versa. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2442348 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:57:59 +0000 sapphire 2442348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have always used a service, although two of the three we have used the cleaners were the owners. All small businesses. I want licensed, bonded, and above board for tax purposes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441834 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:52:50 +0000 Andrea 2441834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've only used a service once, but I didn't like their work. Been using individuals for the past 12 years or so. We've been using my latest cleaner for the past 7 years so she's like family. I've also asked her to babysit the kids in a pinch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441766 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:14:42 +0000 Freckles 2441766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like Emily Gilmore- I have gone through 3 cleaning ladies and 2 service teams. The last lady I used had to go back to her husband in Mexico so I decided to go back to a cleaning service - it's two girls who come in each time. They are pricey but they follow everything on my list and don't cut corners. </p> <p>I would only use an individual if she/he came recommended by someone I trust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441760 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:10:12 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2441760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use an individual.<br /> She was DHs nanny growing up. It's kind of like having family come over and help. I figure she's the reason I like my husband, I can trust her with our home and possessions.<br /> Generally I'm more trusting of a service. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441756 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:07:28 +0000 erinbaderin 2441756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use an individual (and actually, this reminded me to send her an email cancelling her service in March since I'll be home on mat leave). We found her on kijiji. She's fine - I'm not convinced she does a GREAT job, and there are some extras I wish she did that she doesn't do, but she does a perfectly adequate job. I might try a different person or service once I go back to work after mat leave, though, because I don't /love/ her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441731 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 11:50:28 +0000 ms.line 2441731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use a service. Wasn't much more expensive than an individual and they make all their own green cleaning products, plus they're insured and bonded. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441675 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 11:12:49 +0000 raintreebee 2441675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use a service since I can't find anyone willing to be paid on the books and have taxes taken out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441620 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:46:04 +0000 Periwinkle 2441620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure how I would categorize ours... it's a woman who has a few cleaners working for her (but not an official service). We often get the same cleaner for a few months in a row but then it changes. I am not a huge fan of this and would actually prefer one person who comes every time as there are a few specific things I am very picky about and don't like having to go over them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441618 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:44:25 +0000 Charm54 2441618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Individual ... i know her well... I love how well she knows my house and her rates are much lower than a service. And she is so sweet with my girls! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441600 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:27:01 +0000 MaryM 2441600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use an individual. She was recommended by several friends who use her. In general, we prefer to pay people directly instead of having companies take a cut (as long as their services are good). </p> <p>Then only "issue" we've run into was her being unavailable around the holidays. But otherwise, we love her. Even my mom (who's pretty picky about cleaning...she scrubs floors on her hands and knees instead of using mops) was impressed with how well she cleaned my bathroom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441489 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:26:32 +0000 JenGirl 2441489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We literally just started last night but we're using an individual. Though, it's a bit of an unusual situation. We're good friends with our neighbors and their 13 year old son is trying to earn money for a class trip. Over the summer he mowed our lawn and it worked really well and made us much happier campers. So, since we're both back at work after the baby, we decided to hire him to clean house. He is going to come in the evening when we're there so that we can supervise (both our preference and his parent's preference). Last night he came for 2.5 hours and vacuumed, did dishes, cleaned kitchen and bathroom and some other random things like wiping down walls because we recently had a repair guy who made a huge mess. He requires more guidance than a pro and I had to ask him to redo a couple things that he half-assed, but he's cheap since he's only 13 so I think it's going to be a good arrangement. And it was certainly a life-saver last night since I just found out my in-laws are unexpectedly spending the night tonight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441487 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:24:44 +0000 Alba4 2441487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a woman that comes, and sometimes she brings a friend. They are much faster when there are 2! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441483 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:24:01 +0000 Astro Bee 2441483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDMommy: Yeah, I love how simple/elegant it is! The very modern interface is what got me interested. It's so easy to reschedule cleanings, too. The company has strict QA policies, and new cleaners are supervised/mentored to ensure that they meet the company's cleaning standards. </p> <p>And because it's a super small world, our cleaner is the wife of the best friend of the new lease holder of the hair salon that I used to go to, before my hair dresser (the previous owner) moved across town and opened up a bigger salon. He had worked there for a year before taking it over, so I got to know him a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441480 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:23:01 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2441480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Individual. It's the same person every time, and we can trust her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441475 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:19:35 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2441475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just have an individual. We found her through a friend of ours and she has been with us for almost 5 years now. We love her! There have been times when she has extra time and will do some laundry for us and clean out the fridge and pantry for no extra charge. She is part of the family now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441470 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:15:30 +0000 BandDmommy 2441470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: that's neat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441467 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:14:57 +0000 Astro Bee 2441467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours is kinda both. It's a service that individual cleaners work for as an independent contractor. They are insured/bonded and you have the same cleaner each time. You also rate them, and request a different cleaner next time. My favourite part is that it is all organized through a website, where you pick which days/frequency you prefer, how many hours, etc. I get notification texts at the start and end of the cleaning. Because the cleaners are independent contractors, they decide how much they want to work, i.e., how many jobs they want to accept, especially great for parents who want to work PT while their kids are in school. It's a very parent-friendly local company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441465 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:11:05 +0000 BandDmommy 2441465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: My husband is sooo picky. We have been 3 individuals and 2 services in 4 years. :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441460 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:06:58 +0000 Alivoo01 2441460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use an individual, but she'll occasionally bring someone with her to help. She came as a personal recommendation. She's also significantly cheaper than a service. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441454 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:04:34 +0000 chopsuey 2441454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use an individual. She's our carpenter's friend and is very thorough. She does a better job than I do 😝👍🏻<br /> I've used a service before and the price was comparable, but I wasn't happy with their work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441435 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:55:19 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2441435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use a service. It's pricier than an individual but I feel better about potential issues, etc., being handled by a licensed company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441433 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:54:19 +0000 lawbee11 2441433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Service because we want someone who is insured and bonded (though I'm sure there are individuals who are). They usually send the same cleaner each time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441428 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:49:14 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2441428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a house cleaning service. It was just easier to come across than an individual. Usually a team of two come to clean, but when they do windows there's another 2 people that come. I'm not sure how many people the owner employs. I like that two people come at a time to clean because they are in and out faster. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-use-maid-service-or-an-individual#post-2441423 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:46:10 +0000 BandDmommy 2441423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you use maid service or an individual? Why do you prefer whichever one you use? I've used both in the past, currently using a service. </p>