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5 Steps To Hire a Reliable House Cleaner or Maid Service.

5 Steps To Hire a Reliable House Cleaner or Maid Service.

You have thought about it and you believe there is an ROI of working with a housekeeper but now you need to hire one.

Acknowledging you need to hire a house cleaner is only the first step. The challenge is navigating the hiring process to find a reliable, trustworthy service that fits your needs and budget.

Let’s walk through five essential steps to ensure you make an informed decision, bringing not just cleanliness but peace of mind into your home.

Shortcut: Get Referrals From Family & Friends

The fastest way to hire a cleaner is using your network and asking for referrals.

If you you did not get any suggestions and have to do it yourself you can follow these steps

1: What challenge is the maid service helping with

There are many reasons to hire a cleaner but it is worth considering what you need help with before calculating your budget,

Is it to give you more time to spend time with family, and friends, on work projects? Maybe you are feeling overworked and behind.

Next, identify the areas of the house you need help with. If it is everywhere skip to step 2. If you need help in specific areas then consider some of the following.

  • Floors
  • carpets
  • kitchen
  • bathroom
  • mopping
  • vacuuming
  • ironing
  • washing dishes
  • folding linens

Step 2: Calculate Your Budget.

When people hire a housekeeper for 1 hour a week or every couple weeks the cost will differ.

Calculate how much you can afford to spend on cleaning. Once you have number you can pick the cleaning cadence.

Deciding between a one time , weekly, fortnightly or monthly recurring clean

Choosing when to have a housekeeper come clean your home is pretty important. You might need them just once for a big clean-up, every week to keep things looking good, every two weeks if once a week is too much, or maybe just once a month for a really thorough cleaning. Think about what works best for you and your family. Do you get busy and messy a lot? Or maybe you just need a little help now and then. Picking the right schedule helps you keep your home nice and clean without any stress.

Picking the Type of Clean

  • Deep Clean:

    This is like the big, special clean-up. Imagine cleaning every little corner, even the ones you don’t see every day. It’s great for when you really want your house to sparkle from top to bottom.

  • Eco Clean:

    If you like being kind to the Earth, this is for you. Eco clean means using safe, green products that don’t hurt the planet. It’s a way to get your home clean and keep the environment happy too.

  • Move In/Out Clean:

    Moving can be messy. Whether you’re leaving an old place or starting fresh in a new one, this clean gets everything spotless for the next person or makes your new space ready for you.

  • House Clean:

    This is your regular, everyday kind of clean. It’s like tidying up and making sure everything is neat and clean. It’s good for keeping your home looking nice all the time.

So, think about what you need: a big clean, something earth-friendly, a clean for moving, or just a regular tidy-up. Then, you can pick the best clean for your house!

3: Look for reliable companies or independent cleaners

When you need someone to clean your house, you have to decide who to hire. You can pick a big company that has many cleaners or choose one person who does cleaning on their own. It’s important to find someone you can trust to do a good job

 

Independent House Cleaner vs. Home Cleaning Company

Choosing between hiring an independent house cleaner and going with a home cleaning company is a big decision

Independent House Cleaner

When you pick an independent cleaner, it’s usually one person who comes to clean your home. They often have a personal touch and can get to know exactly how you like things done. But, if they get sick or go on vacation, you might be left without anyone to clean.

Home Cleaning Company

On the other side, a home cleaning company has lots of cleaners. If your usual cleaner isn’t available, they can send someone else to do the job, so your house gets cleaned no matter what. They also often have insurance and checks done on their workers, which adds an extra layer of trust.

The advice is to hire a service, not just one person. This way, you get the reliability of a team, making sure someone is always there to clean your home.

 

Look at Online Reviews on different platforms

When picking a cleaning service, checking online reviews is a smart move. You can find what other people think about their work on platforms like Google Business, Facebook, Yelp, and Thumbtack. Each of these sites can give you a good idea of what to expect. Google Business reviews often have comments about how the business handles overall services. Facebook can show you what your friends and community think. Yelp is great for detailed reviews, and Thumbtack can give you specific info on services and reliability.

But, remember to think carefully about reviews. Not all reviews tell the whole story. Some might be overly positive or too negative because of one bad experience. It’s good to read a mix of reviews to get the best idea of what a cleaning service is really like.

 

Experience, Affiliations & Accreditations

When choosing a cleaning service, it’s not just about how many stars they have online. You should also look at their experience, who they’re connected with, and if they have any special approvals or awards.

Check if they’re members of ISSA (the worldwide cleaning industry association) or the BBB (Better Business Bureau). These memberships show they meet certain standards and care about their reputation.

Also, see if they’re part of the local chamber of commerce. This means they’re recognized locally and are involved in the community.

A cleaning service that supports local causes shows they don’t just work in the community; they’re part of it. They care about making a difference, not just making homes clean. This can make you feel good about choosing them, knowing your money is also going back into your community.

 

4: Questions to ask before signing Ts and Cs

Before you agree to hire a cleaning service and sign any contracts, it’s smart to ask a few important questions. This helps you understand exactly what you’re getting, how much it costs, and what happens if things don’t go as planned.

 

Ask for a Background Check and Verify Liabilities

When picking a cleaning service, making sure the people coming into your home are trustworthy and the company is responsible is key. Always ask if the company does background checks on their cleaners. This means they’ve checked the history of their workers to make sure they’re safe and reliable.

It’s also important to check if the company has bonding, insurance, and worker’s compensation. Bonding protects you in case of theft. Insurance means if something in your home gets damaged while they’re cleaning, the company can cover the cost. Worker’s compensation is important too because it covers the cleaner if they get hurt on the job. Hiring a company that takes care of these things means less worry for you.

Cleaning Supplies

If the cleaning service doesn’t provide their own supplies, you’ll need to have the right cleaning products and tools ready for them to use. This means stocking up on the cleaners, mops, brooms, and any specific tools or products they recommend. Make sure to ask them for a list of what’s needed so you can have everything prepared for a smooth and efficient cleaning session.

ou’ll want to know what kinds of cleaning products they use. This matters especially if you prefer eco-friendly products or have allergies to certain chemicals. It ensures your home is cleaned the way you like and keeps you and your family safe.

Interview the Service or Cleaner

Talking to the cleaning service or cleaner before you hire them is a smart move. This chat lets you get to know them, ask about their cleaning ways, and see if they’re a good fit for your home. You can ask about their experience, how they handle different cleaning tasks, and what their plan is for your home. This helps make sure you feel comfortable and confident in their ability to keep your home clean and tidy.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Many cleaning companies use a checklist to make sure they cover all the areas you want cleaned. This checklist can be a big help in making sure nothing gets missed. You can also ask them to focus on specific areas of your home that might need extra attention. However, keep in mind that some tasks might cost extra. It’s a good idea to talk about this before they start, so you know exactly what you’re paying for and can avoid any surprises when you get the bill

 

Agreements and Terms of Service

This document should clearly outline what work will be done, the cost, the schedule, and any other important details like cancellation policies or what happens if something gets damaged. Make sure you understand everything and ask questions if something isn’t clear. Signing this agreement means both you and the cleaning service know what to expect, helping everything run smoothly.

How Do You Come Up With Your Rates?

Some might charge by the hour, while others might have a fixed price for certain types of cleaning jobs. Understanding their pricing method helps you know how much the service will cost and allows you to compare prices with other services more easily. It also helps avoid any surprises when it comes to paying the bill. Knowing how rates are determined can also give you insight into the value and quality of the service you’re getting.

How many house cleaners do they use for one job?

Some services send a single cleaner, while others might send a team. Knowing this helps you prepare, especially if you need to be home during the cleaning or if you’re concerned about how long the job will take. A team might finish faster, but a single cleaner can provide a more personalized touch. Understanding their approach lets you decide what’s best for your needs and schedule.

Guarantees

A solid guarantee might include a commitment to re-clean any areas you’re not satisfied with at no extra cost, provided you notify them within a certain timeframe after the initial service. This shows that the company is confident in their service quality and willing to address any concerns to ensure customer satisfaction.

A reliable cleaning service should offer some form of guarantee on their work, assuring you of their commitment to quality and satisfaction. Find out what steps they take if you’re not happy with the cleaning, or if something gets damaged during their service. Knowing their policies on these issues not only provides peace of mind but also establishes trust and accountability from the start. This conversation ensures you’re informed about how they handle unforeseen issues and maintain their standards.

5: Prepare your house for the initial cleans.

Before the first cleaning, quickly tidy up, secure pets and valuables, and make sure cleaners can get into all areas. Leave any special instructions. This helps everything go smoothly.

Can a house be too messy is too messy

Yes, a house can be too messy for a standard cleaning service, especially if there are biohazards or extreme hoarding situations. In these cases, specialized cleaning companies that handle hazardous materials and have experience with hoarding may be needed.

 

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