Frequently asked questions about hem & hushåll

Expect £15–£30/hr per cleaner, with London at the top of the range. A one-off clean of a two-bedroom flat usually lands at £80–150, and a regular fortnightly visit costs less per hour than a one-off deep clean. End of tenancy cleans are priced per job, typically £150–300 for a two-bedroom property.

A company carries public liability cover, sends a replacement when someone is ill and handles the employment side. Hiring someone directly is cheaper, but if you control their hours, kit and method you may count as their employer, which brings employers' liability insurance and payroll duties. Check your home insurance too — some policies only cover domestic help you've told them about.

Dusting, hoovering, mopping, bathrooms, kitchen surfaces and bins. Inside the oven and fridge, internal windows, ironing and skirting boards are normally extras. Ask for the checklist before the first visit and put anything you want added in writing.

Public liability for damage to your property, employers' liability if they have staff, and cover or bonding against theft. Ask to see the certificate rather than take it on trust — any established firm will email it without being asked twice.

Ask for an enhanced DBS check, paediatric first aid training and at least two references you ring yourself. A nanny caring for children in your home can register on the Ofsted voluntary part of the register, which is what lets you use Tax-Free Childcare. A nursery or childminder must be registered with Ofsted in England, or the Care Inspectorate, CIW or the relevant Northern Ireland trust elsewhere in the UK.

Tax-Free Childcare adds £2 for every £8 you pay, up to £2,000 per child a year, and funded hours are available for eligible children. For care at home, ask your local council for a needs assessment — depending on the outcome and a financial assessment, part or all of the cost may be funded. Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance are worth checking too.

Continuity of carers, a written care plan, evidence of training, cover for sickness and holidays, and a clear out-of-hours escalation route. In England the provider should be registered with the Care Quality Commission — read the latest inspection report, not just the star rating. Review the plan every few months as needs change.

Boarding at the sitter's home is typically £25–45 a day for one dog, and sitting in your own home £40–70, with overnight stays priced separately. Home boarders and daycare providers need a licence from the local council under the animal activities licensing rules, so ask to see it and check the star rating.

For a family of three or four, a thorough clean every fortnight plus daily tidying works well. Couples and single people usually manage on every three or four weeks. Homes with pets, allergies or small children benefit from weekly visits.

Use a key safe or a smart lock code rather than handing over a loose key, and write down who has access. Established firms have documented key procedures, secure storage and named staff instead of a rotating list of subcontractors.