Cleaners

[Betmont]

Can anyone tell me how much I can expect to pay for a cleaner per hour, please?

[Eslier]

Using a registered gite maintenance type company, which should be the most reliable method of employing someone, somewhere between 15€ and 20€ per hour. To employ an individual yourself, from 8€ per hour plus charges (using cheque d'emploi) which will bring it up to 12-13€+ per hour.

You would be much better off using a business for several reasons. Firstly because they will simply invoice you for their services which is much easier, secondly if the usual cleaner is ill or otherwise unavailable it is their problem to find someone else, not yours, thirdly, they will be insured against any accidental damage caused by the cleaner and finally, they are more likely to be flexible with times.

When looking to take someone or a business on to do changeovers, don't just book them for "x" hours, make a list of all the things you want cleaned and ask them to quote you a fixed rate for the job not for the time. This will mean you will always know how much it will cost to get the right job done. However long you might think the job will take, it is bound to take longer. As a guide, a three bedroom gite will probably take 5-6 hours to clean and prepare properly (not including laundering of linen) - anything less and it will be below standard to many holidaymakers.

[Val_2]

As the SMIC is 8,03€/hour you would have to pay that anyway. No one is going to work for less and if you use someone who is not registered/insured etc you could end up in trouble with the inspector de travail if they wished to report you as well as the other authorities here who take cotisations. Be very very careful of employment rules in France no matter how small the job in question is,I speak from experience.As Eslier says,use a reputable firm who specialise in this work as there is the question of security as well and they would be responsible for their employees rather than a loner who could end up being a squatter in your property.

[orion]

Hi Betmont

The going rate around here (47) is normally 10€. I know directly of gite owners who pay for cleaners in cash. In fact I don't know any who do it any other way. My wife has been offered work of this kind before as well. 

I have yet to find anyone who knows anyone who has got into trouble with the law over this. 

This is not to say it never happens but this forum is full of posters who  reel out the same dire warnings regardlees of what many IMHO would say is the true picture.

Orion

[Betmont]

Thanks for your replies. I haven't been able to log in for a week or two, so I'm delighted to have your answers.