House cleaning services are an amazingly convenient way for busy people to tidy up once a week or once a month. But with so many different services out there, it can be tough to figure out which house cleaning company is going to be the best fit for you and your home.
With so many house cleaning companies operating in different markets, it’s not unusual for customers to feel apprehensive about hiring one and signing a contract that may feel like a risk.
The trick is finding a house cleaning service that is trustworthy, affordable, and meets your specific needs. Whether you live in an apartment with roommates or have a sprawling estate complete with an indoor pool, there is the perfect house cleaner for you!
Ask for and check references
A good house cleaning service will have a list of references you can call to get a feel for the quality of the work they do. If you have time, check the references yourself, but if you are in a hurry, make sure the company checks the references for you.
You can also do a bit of online sleuthing to see what other customers are saying about the cleaning service you are thinking of hiring. Is the website maintained well? Are there negative comments you should be aware of? You can check things like Better Business Bureau reports, Yelp reviews, and general internet searches.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate to price
This may seem counterintuitive, but some house cleaning services offer discounts if you ask for one. Be upfront about the fact that you are shopping around and know what the average cost of cleaning in your area is.
If you find a cleaning service that you like and aren’t sure about the price, ask about discounts or specials. If nothing else, you won’t hurt anyone’s feelings by asking. And you may be surprised by what you find out!
Find a service you can trust
If you’re hiring a cleaning service to come into your home, you want to make sure you’re hiring a company that you can trust. A good cleaning service will make you feel comfortable, especially when they have to enter your home or have access to your personal information.
Ask the cleaning company you are considering if they conduct background checks on their employees. How long have they been in business? What is the company’s insurance policy? What is their cancellation policy?
Set up an initial cleaning and inspection
Many cleaning companies offer an initial cleaning and inspection as a way to ensure that the service you are receiving is what you want. Before you sign a contract, make sure that your cleaning company offers this.
During the cleaning, make sure that the house cleaner takes notes about what isn’t clean and what needs to be done a different way next time. This will help you avoid miscommunications and misunderstandings that sometimes happen with cleaning services.
Ask for an unlimited cleaning trial.
If you are hiring a house cleaning service for the first time, ask if you can get an “unlimited cleaning” trial period. This will give you a chance to try the service out and make sure that it works for you before you sign a long-term contract.
This will also give you a chance to see which cleaning person shows up, get a sense of what they can and can’t do, and make sure that they are the right person for you and your home.
Interview more than one potential service
The primary task, like with any job, is to interview candidates for the position. You ought to get along with that person provided you are conversing with them (individuals).
In the off event that you are hiring from a larger cleaning company, find out if they will send the same person consistently or if they rotate their workers. There are benefits and drawbacks to both: a consistent cleaner knows every inch of your house, but I’ve seen that the longer they clean for me, the more spots that need to be cleaned are ignored.
Discuss with the service how many people will be coming to your home
You have cleaned your house and know how much time (or little time) cleaning takes. You shouldn’t expect a cleaning service to be able to complete the same task in four (4) working hours if it takes you six (6) hours to clean.
I give preference to one person in my home for every two (2) worker hours. Cleaning is an arduous job; thus, I truly don’t need a cleaning staff here all day. That means it will take one person longer to clean your six-man-hour house than it will take three people two hours each.
People start to feel worn out and start to slow down. But do you need a housekeeper at your place all day? I’ve worked with cleaning groups of four or more people as well as one solitary cleaner. I lean heavily toward the group. Whatever floats his boat, by all means.
Do pick-up and put away the clutter
The cleaners can perform better work in the shortest amount of time possible the more surfaces that are free of clutter. Some businesses won’t move the mess since it takes time.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to remove your rubbish! Keep in mind to protect your money, jewelry, and any medications that your doctor has prescribed.
You have indeed looked for permits and holdings, but it is better to be safe than sorry. I’ve never seen a cleaning staff member steal or sneak anything. Ever. Whatever the case, there usually is a first time.
Don’t forget to notify the cleaning crew if you have any pets
you may have for allergy and phobia considerations. You may think a white rat allowed to roam loose about the house is perfectly normal. The house cleaner may freak and beat Whitey with a broom.
The cleaning service may also schedule more time for a dog that sheds copious amounts of fur, may not be willing to change the litter box or the lining of a birdcage. Or, those services may come with an additional cost.
Determine how many people will be coming to your house with the service
You’ve cleaned your house before and know how long (or short) it takes to clean. If cleaning takes you six (6) hours, don’t expect a cleaning service to complete the same task in four (4) man-hours. In my house, I prefer one person for every two (2) man-hours of labor.
I truly do not want a cleaning service to be present all day, and cleaning is difficult work! That means it will take one person longer than three people at two hours each to clean your six-man-hour house.
People become tired and slow down. Furthermore, do you really want a house cleaner in your home all day? I’ve had one-person cleaning crews as well as cleaning crews of 4-5 people. I much prefer the crew. To each his own, however.
Conclusion
Hiring a cleaning service can be a great way to get your house cleaner and neater. However, it’s important to find the right company for you. Follow these tips to make sure you find a cleaning service that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
