There’s no shame in using a good cleaning company for the dirty work of housekeeping. Many business families use contract cleaning companies for heavy-duty cleaning or even a regular brush up.
It’s important to weigh the amount of time and stress it takes to clean your home to the cost of hiring a service. New job? New baby? Selling your home and worried what buyers will pay for the lingering odor of the family dog?
Sometimes a cleaning company is an essential, not a luxury.
If you’ve never hired a cleaning service, it might feel odd to see strangers cleaning your home. How can you be sure they’re trustworthy and will live up the cost?
We’ve got you covered. Here are some tips to keep in mind before hiring a cleaning company.
Commercial Cleaner or Independent Worker
Small business is booming, and many hardworking people start a house cleaning business to earn income. But it’s up to you to decide whether you feel more comfortable with a big commercial service or an enterprising independent.
There are pros and cons to both sides. Individual workers may go above and beyond to provide a custom experience. Plus, it’s nice to work with only one person when they have access to your private home.
On the downside, a sick child or broken vehicle can mean your cleaning person won’t be available. If your schedule is very fixed, a full-size cleaning business with many employees might be your best option.
Large cleaning companies also have advantages, including a pool of employees to fit your cleaning schedule. They may also belong to local business associations, providing better transparency regarding their work history.
However, more employees can mean more strangers in your home. A big company can also result in less focus on customer satisfaction.
How to Screen Your Cleaning Company
You may not know what questions to ask when you’re interviewing for residential cleaning services. A reputable company is happy to answer your questions, so here are some to help you cover all the bases.
Availability
A good cleaning company can provide a straightforward answer when you ask about their schedule. Find out if they have a policy for last-minute requests too, including any extra charges for non-standard hours.
References
Don’t be shy about asking for references. Even a new independent cleaner should be able to provide references from former employers or even teachers.
You may be in a hurry to get your house cleaned, but take the time to follow up on those referrals.
Insurance and Bonding
Find out if your cleaning company is insured and bonded. A professional will have a liability policy in case of damage or theft.
Employee Screening
Ensure your cleaning service does a background check on employees when they hire. If you hire an independent, you can perform your own background check before hiring them.
Cleaning Supplies
Another critical factor in your decision may be the choice of cleaning supplies. Find out who’s paying for them. If you’re providing cleaning supplies, you should be paying less.
Note that some cleaning supplies can be caustic or cause allergic reactions. They can also damage expensive finishes. Before your cleaner starts to work, ask for a list of their products so you can check for anything harmful to your health or home.
Scope of Work
Ask if they have a standard cleaning process and if you can offer a custom checklist. Well-established companies may have a routine they teach to their employees. However, you should expect an estimate for only the work you require. Don’t get bullied into paying for services you don’t need.
On the other hand, you may need residential cleaning services for heavier jobs, such as carpet cleaning, windows, and baseboards, or deep cleaning before a home sale.
Pricing
Finally, find out how much they’ll charge you and when. When hiring residential cleaning services, it’s common for the first visit to be billed hourly. The following visits may be a flat fee after they know how long it will take to clean your home.
Before You Sign
Sign? Who said you had to sign anything?
You may find your local cleaning business wants you to sign a contract for services. Before you do, however, make sure the terms are in your favor.
Guarantees
Make sure the company has a policy for poor performance. If you’re not happy with the work, they should offer a refund or a repeat cleaning at no charge.
Length of Contract
Check the fine print to ensure that you’re not signing up with no way to cancel without a hefty fine.
The Cleaning Company in the Room
It may take some time before you get used to having a cleaning service, but you’ll soon love the results. To make the process as smooth as possible, keep the following in mind.
Accessing the Home
If you’re not home on cleaning day, make sure you and your new cleaner are comfortable with their access to the house. Some homeowners hide a key and others install a keypad entry with a unique code for service providers.
Payment Terms
Especially when hiring an independent worker, make sure you know when and how you need to pay them. They rely on timely payments to keep their business alive. A large cleaning company, however, might bill you monthly.
Pet Policies
If you have pets, it’s a good idea to introduce them to your cleaner. Take your cues from the animal’s behavior and contain the pet if necessary on cleaning days.
Cleaner-Proofing your Home
You may have heard the joke about cleaning the house before the maid shows up. To an extent, that’s true. The Better Business Bureau recommends removing clutter and putting away any valuables before they arrive.
Time to Enjoy
There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a freshly cleaned home that smells wonderful. With the right cleaning company or independent, you can enjoy that wonderful feeling without shriveled hands or an aching back.
You can trust a professional to get your house into shape pronto. Now, you can stop worrying and focus on more important things, like your new baby or that fabulous new job.