_____Monk O'Phile Cleaning,Odd Jobs & Pet Care

New Blog to Replace This One

2009-07-16T14:34:00.004-04:00

I've renamed Monk O'Phile Cleaning, Odd Jobs & Pet Care

It is now known as Maura: At Your Service

and you can visit the new blog at:

http://mauraatyourservice.blogspot.com

see you there!

2009-07-04T13:00:00.001-04:00

Monk O'Phile is now based in Lancaster, NH... sorry, Bridgewater folks

If you are in the Lancaster area and could use my services, give me a holler!

I'm Back In Action! Have Car, Will Travel!

2009-06-25T20:10:00.006-04:00

I'm back in perfect health AND have my car back on the road!

What can I do for you? Ride to airport? Dog walked? Just name it!

Please scroll down and at the bottom

click "Older Posts" to view my rates and policies

2009-05-18T15:59:00.004-04:00

While under the weather I lost work

and no longer have a registered vehicle

so I am seeking clients in the immediate area.

Bridgewater and parts of West and East Bridgewaters.

I have two healthy legs and a mountain bike to

get me where I need to go.

Back in the Saddle, Again

2009-04-08T21:11:00.005-04:00

Just days ago I posted that I was feeling to poorly to clean...

But whatever was pinched or out of whack as remedied itself!
So I'm back in the saddle!!

Let me know if you want me to come clean
your house, business or church.*
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Cleaning on Hiatus

2009-04-03T12:30:00.003-04:00

Due to recent illness, I'm putting my cleaning service on hiatus.

I'm not cleaning as well as I once did,
and the recuperation time after a job is too long.

I WILL continue pet care, driving, packing, odd jobs and such,
I just won't be cleaning.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

I hope you'll considering hiring me for the services I'm continuing
as I'm losing money fast (subtle tug at your heart strings)
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Tails a' Wagon pet grooming

2009-03-20T12:11:00.002-04:00

Giving a little plug to Stacey Kean, the fabulous pet groomer who takes care of my four beloved kitties!

Why have your dog sit at the grooming shop ALL DAY when she can groom your pet in her home "salon" then bring your pet home for you! She even picks up. In between grooming, she will also can come out just to clip nails & clean ears for a small fee.

Phone #: 508.245.6306
Email Address: skean03@hotmail.com

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Moving?... but hate packing?

2009-03-04T10:08:00.005-05:00

You watch Monk, right? See how organized he is?
Well, I'm his female counterpart.
Allow me to pack for your move-- I love it!

Using only sturdy, matching and clearly labeled boxes for easy and safe stacking, I'll make your move all the easier.

Easy loading on the truck, easier unloading at the new place.

Plus easy unpacking once it's all unloaded.
You won't find your DVD's in a box labeled "kitchen".

Commonly used items are left till very last so you are not without them (no searching boxes for your cell charger!).

I can unpack at your new place, too

* Note: I am not a "mover"
~I do not own a truck (but I can drive a Ryder/UHaul if you rent one)
~I do not lift/carry heavy boxes
(but I can bring my "staff" if you want help moving out and in)
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Have a Mom & Pop or Small Business?

2009-02-05T10:00:00.019-05:00

Rock salt trekked everywhere?
Bathroom not so fresh?

Tired at the end of the week
and too busy to clean?

Operation is not big enough
to warrant hiring a company?

Call on Monk O'Phile!

Affordable cleaning when you need it-- weekly, monthly, on call

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Diabetic Cats

2009-01-31T22:16:00.004-05:00

Does your beloved cat have diabetes? And you are uncomfortable leaving him with a sitter, afraid he won't get the care he deserves?
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Allow me to tend to your cats while you are away, insulin shots are no problem for me. I can come to your home as many times a day as you need.
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As always, my care wouldn't be limited to giving an injection and pouring food into a bowl.
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Your cat will be fed, their environment kept clean, and they will be played with and brushed.
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All pets are treated as if they were my own.
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Dog owners: I am confident in my abilities, so if you have a dog in need of injections, just teach me and I'm happy to help you out.

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A fact of life is...

2009-01-06T09:33:00.007-05:00

... death
... it is always sad, but it is also inevitable.

So I offer dual services:

If you're having people back to the house after the funeral, you want it to look nice. I can clean it for you.
The second part is a precaution against an unthinkable crime-- house break ins while loved ones are at a wake or funeral. A despicable act, yes, but read the papers and you see it happens. I can sit at the house while you're out and can even do my cleaning during that time.

I can also set the table and heat a casserole so the food is all ready when you get back.

Rates can be discounted for the elderly.
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Before Contacting Me, Please Read This

2008-12-05T18:01:00.005-05:00

*Elf Hours: with the exception of Real Estate jobs, I do not allow people around me when I work. I like to work what I call 'Elf Hours': When you leave for work, your house is messy-- when you come home, it's clean.

*Unless you have a lot of children and animals, you don't need weekly cleaning. Bi-weekly is usually good enough. Many only have monthly.

*Occasional cleaning is great-- when you just can't stand the mess anymore or are expecting company!
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RATES:

Cleaning: $25 an hour (realtors see below)plus gas if house is more than 20 minutes drive
Packing/Moving: If local, less than cleaning
Pet Care: Depends on days/tasks/number of pets.
Driving: Depends on distance, time, passengers, etc. Basic local driving is $15 an hour plus gas and tolls (car seats not provided)...(SNOW rates are often higher depending on conditions and distance)
Errands: Varies, will even do errands for trade
Decluttering (with you): $20 an hour, round trip gas money and flowing coffee
House Sitting (turn lights on/off, bring in paper/mail): generally $10 to $15 a day (morning and night), but ask me.

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REAL ESTATE CLEANING:

The "Elf Hours" can be suspended for Move In cleanings (when I'm cleaning up the mess from the previous owners' moving out). If their move out is close to your move in, overlap is sometimes unavoidable.
Some real estate cleaning rates may go above $25 per hour (evictions when the apartment/house has been trashed, etc), please talk to me about costs.

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*Character and Professional References upon request.

FYI in case you think $25 an hour is too much:

$3.825 an hour goes to the IRS. Plus I buy all my own supplies.

Also, I get no sick pay, and if a client decides to cancel my cleaning-- I just don't get paid.

No security. So I'd be wise to tuck away a little money from each job.

Please don't think I make $100 on a 4 hour house. It's closer to $60

Meet Maura & her "Staff"

2008-12-05T17:34:00.009-05:00

Left: Maura, el jeffe of Monk O'Phile, with a puppy on Honduras mission trip (most dogs in Guaimaca were scrawny street dogs, this was a rare pet)

Above Right: Tracy (raker/sweeper extraordinaire...
despite her size, amazingly strong)
playing games with teens at our church

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On Right: Maura's son Oscar (master of Pledge & Windex) at Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk. Box lifter like no other.

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Driving Services

2008-11-28T07:15:00.005-05:00

This is "Big Ben" (as we named the Taurus) on the lot when I purchased him last November.

Allow me to drive you to work, airport, train, school, church, doctors, social visits

or your children to orthodontists, dance, sports, rehearsal or whatever they have to do that starts before you can get out of work to take them yourself

Why drive in the snow? Let me take you!
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2008-11-11T21:42:00.003-05:00

My newest toy--
16 gallon Ridgid wet dry vac with a gutter hook!

I'm in the process of cleaning my own basement with it,
can't wait to use it in your house, too!

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Bartering Is An Option

2008-08-15T12:37:00.007-04:00

I am willing to barter my various services.

Can you change the fluids in my car?
Teach my son to maintain my car (that he thinks is his)?

Hang my storm door? Replace my back light?
Fix my kitchen ceiling fan? Replace the plunger in my bathroom sink?

Make it so my hose doesn't squirt gallons of water at the spigot?

Found a Piano Tuner-- thanks, Beth!!

Give me an old kayak or canoe?

Think of something!

I'm tidy, but I'm not handy. All the frames on my wall are crooked!
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Gift Certificates Now Available

2008-07-20T13:06:00.006-04:00

Baby Shower? Have the new Mom's home cleaned while she's in the hospital
A loved one in the hospital with an illness? All the better to get rid of all the germs before they come home
Friends adopting a child? Welcome them to a clean home
Birthday? Such an easy thing to wrap (and mail, too)
Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Clean up before and after the party
Your anniversary? C'mon, give her the gift she truly wants-- someone else to clean the bathrooms!
Wedding Shower? Hire Monk O'Phile to clean the house the bride gets dressed at so it looks spectacular or the new couple's home while their on their honeymoon
Hosting a shower? Why should you have to make it look nice for the event and clean up after it?

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"Guest Book"

2008-07-20T10:36:00.002-04:00

Are you just checking me out, wondering what Monk O'Phile is? Tell me what you think.
Have I cleaned for you? Please, tell me how I did... be honest (just be polite, too!).
Just a friend not hiring me but popping by to support me? Leave a note, too.

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Testimonials-- please feel free to add to these!

2008-06-28T14:01:00.025-04:00

From Rob
Thanks for going above and beyond and taking such good care of the cats. They seemed really happy when we got back.

From Rose
Even though I knew you were coming over it was a pleasant surprise to come home to a tidy house. We have such a busy lifestyle it was nice to have something taken care of for once and not by me. Thank you for your help.

From Kathy
Maura, Thank you again for driving me into Boston. I'm glad you suggested we leave early as to try and avoid too much traffic. Your familiarity with the city took a lot off my mind, since I am not familiar with it at all and refuse to drive in myself. I would recommend your services to anyone who needed a lift. You're prompt, courteous and I thought your rate was completely reasonable. Thanks again.

From Liz
Hi Maura! Thank you so much, the place looks great!

From Gary
The house looks great! Thanks! I was so happy to come home to a clean fresh smell!

From Tim
Maura did a great job cleaning my house, and was much more reasonably priced than I expected. Thanks Maura!

From Cristina
Hi..I found Maura on craig's list..yes, craig's list. I was initially looking for someone to pet sit but at the last minute I needed a ride home from work. I contacted Maura and she was great, she was on time and super reliable. I feel much more at ease about my upcoming vacation knowing that I have someone trustworthy to watch my pup. I would recommend her to anyone!!!!

From Colleen
I can not tell you how happy I am right now. My house is so clean. I am sure that it was very dirty....... I am truly grateful to you. If you ever need a recommendation, please feel free to call. My clean house has made my stressful week become so relaxing. Thank you so much.

another one from Colleen after I'd returned: You are the best. The house looks great. Thank you so much. It has been a really stressful week and with my back being out of commission, the house work has added up. Thank you so much.

From Marie
....... You do a great job cleaning, and our house is so full and cluttered!!! You are trustworthy and easy to be around....big plusses!!!! .......again, I think you are great...

From Leah
Thank you so much, you did a fabulous job... All I can say is coming home to happy pets, clean floors and a clean bathroom is soooooooooooo awesome! I will definately be recommending you to all my friends and family and will absolutely be a customer for a long time to come! Thanks neighbor:)

From Kevin
The rooms look great! Thanks so much!

From Kelly M

Maura, Your cleaning was superb!! ....... Thank you again for all you have done.
(and from a separate message) You really did a wonderful job last time!! Thank you

From Eileen
Everything that you were able to do looked great! I would love for you to come back.

From Diane
Maura Thank you sooo much for all your magic. My bathroom looks Wonderful and you did it so fast!! Hopefully you can come back...
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Read these policies before contacting to hire

2008-06-28T13:42:00.003-04:00

Have me come in before your party-- it is Chanukah and Christmas Season!

__________________________________

RATES:

Cleaning: $25 an hour (for realtors, see below)
Packing/Moving: If local, less than cleaning--ask me
Pet Care: Depends on days/tasks/number of pets.
Driving: Depends on distance, time, passengers, etc. Basic local driving is $11 an hour plus gas and tolls (car seats not provided)
Errands: Varies, will even do errands for trade
Decluttering (with you): $11 an hour, round trip gas money and flowing coffee
House Sitting (turn lights on/off, bring in paper/mail): generally $10 to $15 a day (morning and night), but ask me.

___________________________________

REAL ESTATE CLEANING:

The "Elf Hours" can be suspended for Move In cleanings (when I'm cleaning up the mess from the previous owners' moving out). If their move out is close to your move in, overlap is sometimes unavoidable.
Some real estate cleaning rates may go above $25 per hour (evictions when the apartment/house has been trashed, etc), please talk to me about costs.

__________________________________

*Character and Professional References upon request.

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FYI in case you think $25 an hour is too much:

$3.825 an hour goes to the IRS. Plus I buy all my own supplies.

Also, I get no sick pay, and if a client decides to cancel my cleaning-- I just don't get paid.

No security. So I'd be wise to tuck away a little money from each job.

Please don't think I make $100 on a 4 hour house. It's closer to $60

MonkOPhileCleaning@gmail.com