Do you need to hire a cleaning service?
Browsing through the numerous cleaning services online can be tiring. But the process is essential. Hiring a reliable company means that you won’t have to face quality issues down the road.
However, opting for a sub-standard company could lead to a significant loss of time and money. In worst cases, you could find out that you have even more problems than you had before hiring the cleaning firm.
In the following article, we go over the major recommendations on finding and hiring a great cleaning service.
1. Ask for cleaning service recommendations
Ask your friends and family whether someone has recent experience with a great cleaning service provider. Hearing personal stories is one of the most powerful ways to find and connect with the top companies in any niche.
If someone says that they hired an inadequate company, ask for further details. You could find out about companies that delivered poor results. This information will help you determine which service providers to avoid in the first place.
2. Interview the cleaning service people
You need to understand which company could provide the best value for your particular needs. That’s why homepage information alone won’t help you too much. You need to understand their work principles and conduct.
Let’s take a look at some of the best questions that you could ask from the cleaning service to determine their match to your expectations:
- Is it possible to sign a written agreement containing all the tasks and duties?
- How do you obtain access to your clients’ properties? What can I do to help make things smoother?
- Do you have your own cleaning supplies and equipment or do I have to provide you with these items?
- Do you have a client satisfaction guarantee? If no, what are my rights in case of unmet expectations? If yes, what are the related clauses in our contract?
These are general guiding questions. Depending on your unique circumstances, you can ask questions that help you determine a company’s capacity to tackle your cleaning challenges.
3. Understand their pricing policy
Pricing is an aspect that demands complete clarity before any agreements are signed. No one wants to find out about surprising pricing strategies after receiving the first invoice from the company.
- Big company: Whenever hiring someone via a large agency, make sure to check the pricing structure for hidden fees.
- Individual cleaner: Ensure that you hire the person as an independent contractor instead of having them as an employee. The tax implications are completely different.
4. Get in touch with multiple cleaning services
Get in touch with at least three different cleaning service providers. Anything less than that and you risk missing out on an individual or company that perfectly matches your expectations.
Additionally, it’s worth remembering that the prices between various providers may be more different than you’d imagine at first. Obtaining three to five estimates gets you a better perspective on the overall market situation.
5. Get everything ready for maximum value
You can take practical steps to maximize the value of your hired cleaning crew. Taking the time to prepare your property will make their efforts more efficient, allowing you to enjoy better results with the same budget.
Just take a look at some of the things you can do:
- Pick up personal belongings from the floor, including toys, clothing, and books.
- Make sure to secure all your valuables like jewelry and cash.
- If possible, keep all of your pets in one room until the cleaning has finished.
6. Inquire about staffing principles
If you are considering a larger company, ask if they conduct a background check for their staff. This helps you understand whether the company is able to provide a safe experience for you.
Moreover, it’s a good idea to ask about their employee turnover rate. If you are looking for consistent service, it makes sense to have the same cleaning crew visiting your property.
In a Nutshell: Tips for Hiring a Cleaning Service
Picking a cleaning service is an important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The right cleaning service provider meets your needs and expectations while not creating further stress and expenses.
Here are some guiding principles for finding a great cleaning service:
- Understand the pricing structure and associated fees
- Ask for first-hand experiences with different cleaning services
- Interview at least three companies or individual service providers
- Ensure that the company conducts background checks on its staff
- Extract the maximum value from the cleaning services by preparing your property beforehand
