|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/7/2009 12:45:10 AM
|
|
|
SaraChristine
Posts: 62
Joined: 2/20/2008
Status: offline
|
I have someone interested in hiring me as a housekeeper. I would be working 3 days a week ( about 3-4 hours a day) doing laundry, dusting, dishes, make dinner (the whole shibang basically). He asked my rate, but I have no idea what to offer.
Of course it's negotiable, but I don't want to ask for too little and get jipped, or too much and have him pass.
Any suggestions?
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/7/2009 3:52:22 PM
|
|
|
Liv4Him06
Posts: 232
Joined: 12/6/2006
Status: offline
|
Yep, I definitely agree with Harvie. Call some house cleaning companies and see what they're charging. Some charge by the hour and some by the sq foot.
The going rate around here is anywhere from $15.00 - $25.00 an hour -- and that's just people placing ads in the local paper seeking employment - not companies. I'm sure their rate could be higher.
< Message edited by Liv4Him06 -- 11/7/2009 3:58:47 PM >
_____________________________
"Death is half disarmed when the pleasures and interests of the flesh are first denied."
—Richard Baxter
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/7/2009 3:55:55 PM
|
|
|
Memaw.
Posts: 1653
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: Sunflower State
Status: offline
|
Whatever rate you decide upon, make sure you have your duties in writing. Otherwise you may end up with more housework than you bargained for.
_____________________________
~Kim
Everything can change in a blink of an eye. But don't worry: God never blinks.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/7/2009 6:18:20 PM
|
|
|
onecoolmom
Posts: 845
Joined: 4/18/2005
Status: offline
|
I agree with calling a service in your area and asking what they pay people with no or little experience. Keep good records for your taxes especially if they are paying you cash and not planning to give you a W2 at the end of the year.
I would make a spreadsheet in excel if possible logging the number of hours/days etc. If you are buying anything for the job (cleaning supplies, vacuum, etc.) keep receipts also.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/7/2009 6:19:32 PM
|
|
|
Miss Giggles
Posts: 5642
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
Status: offline
|
A housekeeper is not a minimum wage job. Don't sell yourself short.
I think the 15-20 rate is good and probably what they charge here.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/7/2009 8:52:08 PM
|
|
|
metoo
Posts: 21
Status: offline
|
Will you be considered an "independent contractor" or an "employee" of the person who you will work for?
If you are an independent contractor you will have to pay self-employment taxes on all your earnings. This is 15.3% of your earnings. You will also need pay quarterly estimated tax payments. You will need to provide your own insurance in case you break something or cause some type of damage.
If you are en employee, make sure the employer will be withholding and paying the proper taxes. You also want to make sure they have worker's compensation insurance for you. This way if you are injured on the job this will be available to assist you.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/8/2009 4:12:38 PM
|
|
|
clydewolf
Posts: 74
Joined: 8/6/2009
Status: offline
|
It is good that this prospective e;mployment has been offered to you.
As to the wage, checking your local newspaper for folks that do this type of work may give you a clue as to the wage.
Another source of information would be your state's labor department. Many states have a list of job descriptions by county and show the going wage rate by county. Note this is not jobs the state is looking to fill, but the information is available to employers and intrested citizens.
Other advice that has been offered is good too. Do not worry too much about paying self employment taxes until after you file your first tax return with a schedule C. But do make sure your tax credits plus withholding will be equal to or greater than the tax on your 2008 form 1040, line 61. This would keep you from paying a penalty for under withholding.
The IRS has 3 safe harbors so us tax payers may avoid making estimated payments. Meeting any one of the safe harbors will do that and avoid paying a penalty for under withholding. The 3 safe harbors are:
- You will owe more than $1,000 after subtracting withholding plus tax credits from your tax.
- Your withholding plus tax credits will be at least 90% of the tax on your return.
- Your withholding plus your tax credits are at least 100% of the tax on your previous year's tax return.
If you meet any one of these requirements, you do not need to make estimated payments. Any penalty you may owe will be calculated on the safe harbor that causes the minimum penalty.
Then next year you can begin making Estimated Quarterly Payments that would include the self employment tax as previously stated at 15.3% plus your estimated income tax.
Instead of estimated payments if you or your spouse have withholding from other employment, you can increase that withholding to cover the additional tax created by this job. Typically you can estimate federal and state income tax plus self employment tax at 35% of your gross earnings.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/11/2009 10:46:19 AM
|
|
|
Sideways
Posts: 3543
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
|
Housekeepers around here often charge less per hour if they come more frequently (because the house is not as messy I suppose). After the birth of my daughter I was blessed with bi-monthly housecleaning, and after the initial cleaning they charged $80 per cleaning. It was two teenage girls (homeschooled girls starting their own business), and for the two of them it took maybe 2-3 hours? So, per person it was around $15-$20 per hour.
_____________________________
Come to the dark side. We have cookies.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/11/2009 12:37:12 PM
|
|
|
doinkdom
Posts: 6098
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
Status: offline
|
Just remember you'll be doing more than cleaning...most housekeepers who come in bi-monthly do not do laundry or make dinner.
You want to make enough to cover your expenses plus a profit.
_____________________________
"Well in my experience if something seems too good to be true
it's best to shoot it just in case."
~Fi
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Pay rate for a housekeeper? - 11/11/2009 10:51:08 PM
|
|
|
SaraChristine
Posts: 62
Joined: 2/20/2008
Status: offline
|
Thank you everyone! This has all been very helpful and lots of good advice! I emailed him to clarify a few more details, and what I would need to supply, but I haven't heard back.
I'm praying he hasn't found someone else!
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
MARRIED TO A MILITARY PILOT 
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS! 
