Paying for Cleaning Done by Onsite Manager

[Christine Swaidan]

Our onsite manager likes to earn extra money by cleaning vacant units and I'm fine with that. I was wondering if most cleaning jobs are paid for by the hour or the job.

I am already paying him for 40 hours of management per week. He does the cleaning during the week. He puts together a list of what he has done and the hours that he has worked in the unit. As we are rehabbing all vacancies right now, we give  him a unit that has new paint, new counters and new flooring and sometimes new sinks. He still must wash windows (2), toilet, stove and range hood window screens and of course wipe down all the new counters and floors.  Typically he documents his work at 10 hours or so. I've been paying him $10 per hour which is minimum wage in California. Am I being too cheap? I would not work for that wage but he is getting double pay as he is being paid as a manager and a cleaner.

Any thoughts?

[Deanna McCormick]

You never know what to expect with a turnover unless you pre inspect 2 weeks before a tenant moves out so you can judge what's needed to be done. We gave a pre inspection charge sheet and said if this isn't done your charge for cleaning will be $$ for this item. Our apartments were usually left pretty good.

YA some units were a breeze and only might need a quick touch up. Those are bonus units to the turn cleaners, and others take more time. 

Our turn cleaners didn't paint or shampoo only did the cleaning, After painter was done, and before carpets shampooed they did it all . We supplied cleaning supplies and had check out services that did this type of work, we paid about $75.00 for 1 BR and 95.00 for 2br..difference was only like 2 windows. That's equal to 7.5 hrs 1br and 9.5 hrs 2 br. @ 10.00 an hour.

I'd check and see what he's charged per unit now and see what he's averaging per unit for cost against what I listed above so you can see what's price per unit now

Honestly I think your overpaying him allowing him, to do both jobs at the same time, any issues with his management responsibilities is he still doing his best managing your property, or is he missing calls

If you like the arrangement you have keep it. if not and your questioning costs get some bids.