Leaving Singapore - Average Cost of One-Day House Cleaning ?

[chikai]

Hello everyone! I need help to figure out if I am getting ripped off or not.

I have contacted several cleaning agencies for a price quote.
We need to do a cleaning of our flat before we move out in mid-January 2011.

Our flat is 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 Half Bath, Living Room/Entry Way and Kitchen. I have basic cleaning supplies, but no longer have a vacuum. It's roughly 1,000 square feet.

I was quoted the following below. Can you please share your thoughts and if this is a good price? Other expats and locals have told me it should only be $10 - $15 per hour to clean? Why am I getting charged so much?

Here are the quotes I received. I appreciate your help!

1) HouseCleaningSingapore.com
No equipment, owner must supply
$190 SGD, 2 Maids, 4 Hours of Cleaning only

2) A-Team Ah Ma's (though I read bad reviews in another post here on SG Expats)
$418nett SGD, 2 Maids, 4 Hours, no equipment
$50nett SGD additional with equipment

3) Raffles Services on Wheels
$350.00 nett, 2 maids, 4 hours
$50nett SGD additional with equipment

4) Rina's
I contacted her, but no response. I also read some negative reviews about her company, so I doubt I will hire thru her.

APPRECIATE YOUR HELP

[aargon]

hmm... this is a tough one - is option 1) cheaper than option 2) or 3) - one would think so given its a good $150 - $200 lower?

you should ask those expats who claim it should only cost you $10 - $15 where they got these numbers from.

[ksl]

You will get a one man band for 10 to 15 per hr and he will take 8 to 12 hrs to do the job, but they may have their own hoover, you want the place cleaned you will need the materials, otherwise they will bill you even more

Whatever way you want to look at it, 8 hrs looks to be the norm or 2 people for 4 hrs.

[boffenl]

I agree with post above. $10-$15 per hour is for one person and it will be a whole day affair, offer them $100 for the job (no time limit) and it would get done sooner. Just ask friends if their maid does extra work too--this is perfect for moving day or move-in day. Good luck! For an agency the $200 is a good price--you'll probably get 3 people and be done in a few hours. Your call.

[ev-disinfection]

This is for a one time only job, the prices are ok,
It will be cheaper for a 3 days a week or a monthly engagement,

"Ok" meaning that you will probably have to clean the place again, so double the cost, with the cheapest prices, if they don't do a good job.

You know what they say... if you pay peanuts, you will get monkeys...

My suggestion is to ask the owners for their recommendations, and use them. So in the event they they don't clean up well, the owners will let you off.

Your call...

[Girl_Next_Door]

The first question I have is "How much cleaning is involved?" Regardless whether the place is fully/partial furnished, I would imagine the key chores to be vacuuming & mopping the floor, clean all cupboards, beds, toilets, washing of curtains.

I believe the rates that your friends quoted is the going rate for a part-time help to come, on a weekly basis. At least, that is the rate that my part time help is receiving.

The other rates quoted is a one-time cleanup rates, whereby the part time helpers have never seen your place and probably need some time to navigate, identify areas to clean before getting their hands dirty. I remember the first time my part time help come, she took 6 hours to clean up my 1000 sf apartment as well. However, nowadays, she take about 2-3 hours to finish her chores.

In order to compare the rates, you should ask the various agencies, what are the items that the part time help will be doing, when they are cleaning your place. At least you can have an idea of what the help are doing, when they are there for 4 hours. An alternatives is to ask your friend, if their part time help is willing to clean your place at $12/hour. I would suggest that you indicate clearly what are the places you need the help to clean.