Do you tip house cleaners? In advance???

[mondo joe]

I'm using a house cleaning service for the first time. I will be gone while they're working and won't see the job until well after they're gone.

Do I tip?

Do I tip in advance of even seeing how it went?

[mr_hat]

1. Hmm... We have a regular lady, whom we >

pay three extra weeks, when she takes Christmas and whatever other two elective days off she chooses.

Dunno about cleaning services -- ours is an idependent. Gotta think, though, that if you tip once, you gotta continue.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. When I could afford to have a cleaning service, I tipped them in advance

I also had the same cleaners every week, and they did a great job.

[mondo joe]

3. If I had a regular service I could see tipping in advance - but

this is a first time. They might be great, they might be lousy.

<sigh>

[Kathy in Cambridge]

6. Most cleaning services do a DEEP clean the first time an have a different

crew. You can always get their names and drop off an envelope at a later date.

[Left Is Write]

4. I have no idea. I've never used a cleaning service.

Interesting question, though. Do the cleaning services like Molly Maids and the like even accept tips?

[illini]

5. NO you don't tip.

They are getting paid for a service. If you really want to make sure she gets her due ask the service she works for what their starting pay is. If it is to low find a place that starts at a better rate of pay or has benefits. Also, let the service you now hire know why your canceling your service.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. Have you read "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich?

I suggest you do. Most of these women are paid by the number of houses they clean, and not hourly. And it usually isn't a subsistence wage.

[illini]

9. Did you read my entire post??

Put pressure on the employers to pay a living wage. Why should you pay extra (i.e. tip) to have your house cleaned.

[cally]

8. Tip in advance

if you are using a cleaning service. The workers will do a better job and they don't get paid much. If you are using an individual, then you could send a tip if you like the service.

[mondo joe]

10. I will. Thanks to everyone for their feedback.

My thing about tipping isn't about the money but about doing whatever I do RIGHT.

Since I'd likely do the tip later anyway, I might as well just do it upfront.