@Susan5889
When I had outside cleaners.
I listed everything I needed done including laundry, vacuuming trash etc.
I don't like to actively manage people's hours just not my style.
I would determine in my head average time to clean, usually about 3 or 4 hours.. Then I would determine what I thought was a fair hourly rate. I take in pluses to the cleaning company steady work and such.
I also take into consideration I am hiring someone with cleaning skills but because I am not present I want someone who has some management skills also making sure work is done when needed, if there is something I need to handle I am informed, things like that and I determine an hourly rate.
Then when I am talking to the cleansers, like I say I am a brain picker, so I present my list but ask for any input of things I didn't think of.
Then I will discuss my thoughts of length of time to do list.
When wee are both in agreement, then I ask my cleaner to give me a set price per turnover.. My idea of price is just something in my head that I use to review if their proposed price is in the range..Too low is not always a bargain sometimes it is because expectations don't match, too high I review am I thinking too low or do two other companies price where I am thinking.
As to putting in a washer and dryer in the unit, yes that is a big plus but again don't try and solve the problem before you discus with who is actually doing the work.
In Hawaii, an island, so things like installing aa big appliance attaching to city water is not always a matter of just go buy a washer. A cabin in the woods probably requieres some thought s and funds. Usually we found the cleaners could take the linens home wash them and make the beds next day We had o pay extra and could not offer same day turn arounds but some owners put in laundry some never did