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What to know and consider before hiring someone else to clean your house! Most people would love to come home after a long workday and find a clean place. Finding the best cleaning service can be challenging. These tips will help you find the best cleaners to do the job.
Since hiring multiple cleaning services over the past 15 years, I’ve learned what to expect and how to hire a service. Here are some tips to help you decide whether or not to hire someone else to clean your house.
Ten Tips for Hiring a House Cleaning Service
How can you find a house cleaning service that is professional? Finding a reliable maid service is easy if you ask around. You can ask your family and friends who clean their homes. Online searches can be done to find a cleaner with experience. Search for “best cleaning services in,” “great” cleaning services, or “negative” reviews of cleaning companies. There is no perfect agency or cleaner. However, those with a reputation for excellent cleaning and an outstanding attitude may be the best place to begin your search. You can determine your pain threshold by researching such services’ positive and negative aspects.
Have you ever hired a cleaning service for your home? You may have been disappointed by the results. Would you like a cleaner to come to your house more often? Finding the right person to do the job can be challenging. Here are ten tips that I’ve learned over the years for hiring a cleaning service:
Interview at least two potential services
Interviewing prospective candidates/agencies for the job is similar to any other job. It would be best if you felt comfortable when interviewing people. Ask if the larger cleaning company will always send the same person or rotate their staff. Both have pros and cons: the person who cleans your home is more familiar, but the more time they spend cleaning, the fewer places are cleaned. A new crew every week has a steep learning curve, which I pay for. They are familiarizing themselves with my house. Ask them how long they’ve been in business and how many years they’ve had cleaning experience. Also, ask if they work full-time or part-time.
Verify that the independent cleaner or agency and their employees are insured and licensed
Background checks have been done on the cleaning agency. Will they replace something if it breaks? Repaired? Who pays for medical expenses if someone gets hurt in your house?
Define your scope
Do you need a cleaning every week, bi-weekly, or monthly? Do you want to clean the entire house? Do you want to clean the whole house? Make sure that all of your requests will be met. Also, ask for an estimate on how long the cleaner will take to clean your house. It is essential to do this if you pay by the hour rather than at a flat rate.
Will the cleaning crew use a ladder to reach the top shelf to dust? Your furniture and lampshades will be regularly vacuumed. Do they have a vacuum? Do you have a vacuum per floor? What about the cushions? Cleaning out the fridge, is it extra? Do you regularly dust your baseboards? Casements for doors and windows? Can the front door be cleaned of dog snot? Are nicknacks dusted? How much does it cost to clean a finished basement? How do you clean the kitchen floor? Do you use a mop or wash the floor on your hands and knees? ASK about OSHA regulations. A cleaning service once told me it was against OSHA regulations for them to use Ammonia in my home.
My cleaning service has two options: regular cleaning (which is what I do) and deep cleaning. (I have it done quarterly). Deep cleaning my home takes more time, so I must pay extra. List the top tasks that you want to be done each time. You and the cleaning service may or may be on different pages. Asking is always better than assuming.
Please make sure that the pricing is clearly stated!
There may be significant differences between a flat-rate charge and an hourly rate. When hiring a cleaning agency, make sure there are no hidden costs. When hiring a cleaner, ensure they pay their taxes and Social Security. Consult an accountant before hiring a cleaner to ensure you’re not hiring them as employees but as independent contractors. You will be affected by the tax implications of either option, so ask your accountant to explain them in detail. Compare apples with apples, and be sure to know the cost of your cleaning.
Who provides cleaning products to you?
I’ve avoided ultra-green companies that won’t use a Swiffer to clean my furniture. Instead, they spray it down and then wipe the dust away. While vinegar is a great cleaner, it can damage my marble floors. Few products I’ve found won’t leave streaks behind on stainless steel appliances. I want the cleaning company to use my products. The best cleaners will leave you with an environment you are happy with and will not harm your appliances, furniture, or floors.
Note: I prefer to provide my cleaning products. So I can be sure of the chemicals used. Some cleaning companies will provide their products or give you a specific list of required products. So there are clear understandings, ask.
The service will need to know how many people are coming
You know the time required to clean your home. You cannot expect a cleaning company to complete the same job in just four (4) hours if it takes you six (6) to clean. I prefer to have one person at my home for every two (2) hours of work. Cleaning is hard work; I don’t want a cleaning company here all day. It will take one person longer to clean a house that takes 6 hours of work than it would for three people working 2 hours each. Fatigue slows people down. Do you want a house cleaner to be in your home every day? I’ve had cleaning crews of 4-5 people and one-person cleaners. I prefer the ring. Everyone has their preferences.
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