Tipping for Housecleaning Service?

Updated on November 17, 2014
T.H. asks from Chicago, IL
16 answers

I am trying out a new cleaning service next week. It would be one person. She is the owner/operator and she will be doing the cleaning herself. I would like to use her services on a biweekly basis if the cleaning goes well. Am I expected to tip her for her services? Not sure what the proper etiquette is considering she's the owner of the business as well. If I am to tip, what should I be tipping her?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I use a person who owns her own business as well. I do not tip routinely. However, I do give her a Christmas bonus at the cleaning that she does just before the holiday as a thank-you because I think she does a great job.

10 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

*.*.

answers from New London on

I cleaned houses for 1 year when I was about 19 yrs old.

When I cleaned a house, I got 50 percent. The owner kept the rest.

I would give her a holiday gift in December.

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

D.B.

answers from Boston on

My feeling is that the owner sets the rates and takes in all of it. An employee of hers would not be taking in your entire payment but would be making less than that rate, with the balance going to the owner. So you tip the worker (in cash, not in the check to the company) but you don't tip the owner. Same goes for hair salons or skin spas, etc.

Over time, you can decide if you want to give a gift for spectacular service - a lot of people tip at the holidays or give a gift, for example. But you don't need to feel pressured because you're only starting in mid-November.

6 moms found this helpful

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

No. I don't tip the owner.

I only tip the team we use at the end of the year.

5 moms found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I don't think you tip the owner of the company since they set the rates for themselves.

5 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I always tip the person who comes to help me out. It is just her and her husband. They work very hard to make sure everything is just so, put in extra effort and I believe in rewarding that type of quality of work.

My regular cleaning for my house is $140 and I usually give them $170 cash, plus they get first dibs if I am getting rid of any furniture, etc. I also send them a gift card for the holidays.

I typically have a service every other month or so.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't tip the person who comes regularly to my house. I hired her privately, not through a service. When I used to use a service, which I only did a couple times a year, I tipped them. I do give my current cleaning lady $100 extra every Christmas.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I have a cleaning service. I do not tip them every week. I do give them $25 each at thanksgiving and $50 at Christmas. I put it in envelopes and hand to each girl individually not to the service.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Pretty sure with housecleaning services, they charge what they expect to receive.
If she's EXTRA awesome? Add a few bucks.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I don't get tipping like this. Really, I don't. The person is getting paid a fair wage for the work they are doing. It's not like their a waitress making $2.50 per hour, these people are making a good wage.

When I have a hairdresser do something to my hair I recognize they are running a business, they are paying booth rent, for their tools, and all that. BUT hair dresses make amazing money on their own just with the money they get from cutting hair. I don't think they should get tips either.

I know hairdressers that pay cash for new cars and furniture just from their income alone.

So I don't see where handing over some cash to everyone who you hire to do something is the norm.

Why do people tip everyone, I seriously don't get it and would love to hear some reasons why so I can gain knowledge about it.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I actually do not know the true etiquette, but I would not tip. I would come to an agreement on the price for her service. If I asked her to do something extra outside of the agreement I would pay her for it and I would not consider that a tip, rather money for a service performed.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

the rule of thumb is not to tip the owner. i haven't treated myself to a cleaning service (yet) but if you're paying regular rates on a regular basis, my assumption would be not to tip, but to be generous at occasional holidays during the year.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Richmond on

i run my own housecleaning service, and yes, we do accept tips, are they expected, no, of course not. appreciated? yes.
K. h.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Appleton on

I often wonder about this also and hope I'm doing the right thing.

I have two ladies who clean for me biweekly together as a team and have for 10 years. They work for themselves. I do not tip them regularly, just at the holidays.

I wonder about personal trainers……….do you tip them? Mine works for himself.

1 mom found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

If she's the owner you don't need to tip. But tips are always nice if it's in your budget! It's a tough job, and she has to ask low rates to stay competitive. Follow your heart. If your budget is tight and having the work is a strain, or tipping every time would make it excessively expensive, you're within your rights not to tip. Also, as an owner, she may not accept your tip. Or she may appreciate it. Depends on her particular service.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

No, I don't tip, but do give a bonus at Christmas. I'm self-employed and no one tips me for excellent freelance writing. I set a fair rate and that's that, and would assume it's the same for a housecleaning service.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions