House Cleaning in West Bromwich

A 1-2 bedroom apartment usually takes 2-3 hours for one cleaner; a 3-bedroom home takes 3-4 hours. Deep cleans run 4-8 hours or use a two-person team. First visits always take longer than maintenance visits because the cleaner is working through accumulated grime and learning the layout.

Hourly suits open-ended or first-time jobs where scope is unknown, but you carry the risk of a slow cleaner. Flat-rate (per visit or per home size) makes budgeting predictable and puts the efficiency risk on the provider — but confirm exactly what the flat rate includes. For recurring cleans, flat per-visit pricing with a written task list is usually the cleanest arrangement.

Tidy clutter off floors and surfaces — cleaners charge for time, and picking up toys or dishes eats paid minutes. Secure valuables and important documents, note anything fragile, and leave instructions for alarm codes or pets. You don't need to pre-clean; that's what you're paying for.

Norms vary by country. In North America, tipping 10-20% on one-off or deep cleans is common, and many people give a holiday bonus to a regular cleaner rather than tipping each visit. In the UK, Australia, and most of Asia, tipping is appreciated but not expected. Agency cleaners often can't accept cash tips — a good review carries real weight instead.

Key-holding is standard for recurring cleans, but do it deliberately: use a lockbox or smart lock where possible, get key-holding terms in writing (companies usually have a policy), and check the cleaner or company carries insurance that covers key loss and lock replacement. Change codes when you change providers.

Most households pay £15-£28 per hour, with a typical weekly 3-hour visit costing around £45-£95. Independent cleaners sit at the lower end; agencies charge £25-£30/hour but include insurance and cover. London and the South East run several pounds an hour above the national range.

It's not a legal requirement for domestic cleaning, but a basic DBS check (which shows unspent convictions) is a reasonable ask for someone with unsupervised access to your home. Many agencies DBS-check their staff as standard — ask to see the policy rather than assuming.