I got a referral from a friend, but I knew she was the right person when SHE interviewed US. She wouldn’t commit to cleaning for us until she inspected our house to see how neat we are (luckily we’re pretty neat) because she says she wants to clean not pick things up to get to the things to be cleaned. Good point. (Actually she still might not have added us to her already busy list if we didn’t have cats. She loves cats. In fact she’s now my cat sitter…another story.) My point is that if she or he cares enough to look at your house first this is probably a good sign.
Thank you. Really, thank you very much. I love these tips. Any more would be welcome.
Sage Rat, that’s good advice, saying I have more interviews and will call her back.
CrazyCatLady, No, I don’t want a “fluff and buff” help. I can do that myself. I have severe emphysema and haven’t got much strenght, so I need someone for the ‘heavy’ work. Like a good scrub, vacuuming and things that require working with your hands above your head. Like washing windows, etc.
I’ll be at home. I can keep an - not too obvious- eye on her. 
So, the best thing for me to do during an interview is see how * she* reacts, right?
Foxy40, Mmm. Yes. That’s what I’d like too. A spotless house.
PoorYorick, Alas, I have two cats myself. I hope no-one is allergic to them. 
and kayT, Indeed. Picking up things isn’t cleaning. I can pick up things. And I wish I get a cat-lover too.
Thanks again,
gum.
I have a couple of suggestions.
Make out a detailed list of everything you want, down to “scrub around the shower head with a toothbrush.” Whoever you hire will not be a mind reader. If you are ultra anal about certain things (the kitchen, for example),* tell her*. Everyone has different things that they’re uptight about in their house, and chances are whoever you hire is going to focus on what they would focus on at home, if you don’t tell them otherwise. If you want a certain thing done, write it down. That way there’s no doubt as to what you want and she’s got a ready-made list of stuff to do when she gets there. There’s nothing worse than having a job with a boss who just throws you in there and doesn’t tell you what’s expected, and then gets all huffy when you can’t figure out what they want.
I’ve gotta disagree a bit here. Nobody in their right mind is going to come into your house for an interview and start pointing out what’s wrong. If she comes in and fails to mention that your linoleum floors look bad, that doesn’t mean she’s lazy. She’s probably going to be afraid to say anything until she gets to know you better.
Point well taken. However, during our interview with our cleaning lady, she looked around, put her fists on her hips, and said, “Hmph! The first thing this place needs is a good spring cleaning.”
We hired her on the spot.
Thanks, Abbie Carmichael. Hehehehe at the toothbrush :: Thinking of ‘Private Benjamin’::
She needn’t even do the ‘dirty’ things, like cleaning the toilet or the litterbox. I’ll do those myself. Must be very icky to do someone else’s.
So: I’ll make a list about my ultra anal things. check [it’s my floor. I can’t stand dirty floors]
Thank you.
Oh, PoorYorick, do you think your cleaning-lady will be willing to travel?
Hey, if you pay for a trip to the Netherlands, I’ll bet she’ll consider it. She’s Cajun, though, so there might be a little language difficulty.
My wife owns her own cleaning business. She charges about $25 an hour. (She actually has a set price for each client and sometimes takes more time, sometimes less)
Oh, and she does do windows.
I wouldn’t expect a general cleaning person to move refrigerators or furniture (at least big furniture).
Your best bet is word of mouth. If you know someone who has a cleaner and recommends them, that would be the place to start.