Has anyone used a maid service?

My mother wants to give me a gift card for a maid service (I am pregnant and shouldn't be lifting more than 15# or bending a lot) but I looked at them and I just don't think that they are going to do anything I can't do with a little help from hubby and older child.





And I found a lot of very negative reports about them online anyway.





So does any one have personal experience with any of the big maid services?

Has anyone used a maid service?
When living in Maryland I used the Cleaning Authority and they were great. I had them in every two weeks on a specified day with their own alarm code to enter. Their first two visits were more expensive but the following visits were reasonable and they did a fabulous job using two or three housecleaners each time. Each visit they had an area they detailed more than the others so everything got extra attention regularly. In between I only had to dust or clean up a bathroom depending on use. You have to interview several to find out what their services include and then decide on how often you want them. That determines the price. I am planning on using them again in our new home in our new state. People in my old neighborhood who used independents had many problems as have friends who used independents as well. I never had a problem. They were on time and professional and I never worried about anything being stolen or broken nor did I worry about my two Maine Coon cats escaping. Interview and decide who will live up to your expectations.
Reply:we had a maid service once and they stole r credit card number and with it bout tickets to mexico and a pair of shoes.
Reply:You are probably right. We have one at the church where I work. They clean the 6 bedroom house where the Priest's live. They basically do anything that you could do your self. You just have to pay them for it. They charge $150 a week to clean it every Wednesday.
Reply:we had a maid once....mum caught her in bed with dad...so make sure shes ugly1 lmfao1