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Written by Matchouse
Read more about our contributorKey Facts
- UK households overpay by 20 to 40 percent on basic services every month
- Cleaners, handymen, and removal services often hide costs behind vague quotes
- Bundling tasks and asking the right questions can reduce spend by up to £300 per month
- Many people assume high price means high quality, which is not always true
- Transparent platforms protect your budget without sacrificing service quality
🧠 Introduction
You are not bad with money. You are just stuck in a system where basic help around the house costs more than it should.
From end-of-tenancy cleans to furniture moves, service providers often inflate their rates or keep pricing vague. You pay more because you think you have no other option. But with the right platform and booking strategy, you could save hundreds each year.
Let’s break down where the money goes and how to stop overspending.
1. The Real Cost of Common Services
Here is what people often pay versus what they should pay. The gap adds up fast.
| Service | Fair Market Price | What Many Pay | Potential Yearly Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly cleaning (2-bed flat) | £40–£50 | £65–£75 | £1,200+ |
| Handyman (per hour) | £50–£60 | £80–£100 | £800+ |
| Local move (1-bed flat) | £250–£350 | £500–£700 | £400+ |
| Gardening (monthly) | £80–£100 | £120–£150 | £600+ |
Tip: If you have not reviewed your service rates in over a year, you are probably overpaying.
Stop Overpaying for Simple Tasks
With Matchouse, you can post a job, compare quotes, and hire verified professionals who offer clear prices. No tricks or vague estimates.
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2. Smarter Booking Cuts the Waste
You do not have to stop getting help. Just book it smarter. Most people can save money without compromising quality by using these strategies.
- Bundle tasks together. Instead of booking three different pros, get one to handle multiple jobs during one visit.
- Avoid peak days. Prices surge on weekends or month-end. Book midweek if you can.
- Ask for task-based pricing. Flat fees remove the uncertainty of open-ended hourly rates.
- Use trusted platforms. Matchouse only lists professionals who agree to upfront pricing and vetting.
Note: Cheapest is not always best. Transparent pricing with verified history saves more in the long run.
✅ Related Article:
3. Checklist for Booking Better
If you want to avoid unnecessary charges, use this list before hiring your next service provider.
- ✅ Compare at least two quotes and ask for task-level pricing
- ✅ Avoid defaulting to hourly rates for jobs with a clear end goal
- ✅ Check provider reviews or references before booking
- ✅ Combine multiple small tasks into one visit
- ✅ Use trusted platforms that offer upfront prices and verified pros
Important: You do not need to sacrifice help to save money. You just need to hire with better information and more control.
Final Thoughts: You Might Not Need to Earn More. You Just Need to Spend Less on What You Already Use
There is nothing wrong with getting help. But you deserve better value and less guesswork.
With the right strategy and support, you can stop overspending and get more from every pound. Matchouse helps you do exactly that.
Meet the people behind our content
Written by Matchouse
Connecting people with properties and professionals