PML (PRIME MY LAKE-HOUSE)

I like Maria and her helpers personally; but it was not a good deal for both. Soon after they began working here, Maria changed our deal. She charged $375.00 for both upstairs and downstairs and $260.00 for just the downstairs. The upstairs area requires only dusting because we do not use it except for house guests during the holidays. The original quote included three people cleaning. But for the same price, Maria told me that only one person would be working for four hours or $75.00 an hour. I did not think that was a fair deal, so she backed off. In the beginning, Maria told me she used a Clorox type product to disinfect bathrooms. But she used a homemade solution of vinegar and soap instead. I told her I would rather she use the Clorox product, but she insisted on using vinegar. Maria and helpers move at a fast pace, but they skip items like window sills, baseboards, countertops, colonial wooden shutters, vacuuming and mopping hard floor surfaces, even after being reminded on two separate occasions. We have floor space with travertine tile, much of which was still dirty when she would pack up and leave hurriedly. She used a small steam mop with one cover which she never changed or rinsed out. Her method only spread the dirt around. The result was a dirty smeared floor. After three or four trips to my home, the impression I received from Maria is that it is her way or the highway. She tended to be dismissive of things even after reminders. She charged the highest rates for cleaning I have ever paid. I thought at the price she charged; she and crew would take care to do a thorough job. I have received much better quality for a lesser expense. In preparing for house guests during December, I bonused her $300.00 while they were still here cleaning. That plus the $500.00 for the initial "deep clean" was $800.00. I regretted doing so. After they left, I discovered many things undone. I had to finish the job I paid her to do.