If you were an average married woman in 1965, you would have spent 32 hours a week doing household chores. Fast-forward over 50 years, where the average American (man or woman) spends just 6 hours weekly cleaning their home.
For many households, that’s just all the time they have to commit to cleaning. Between working full-time jobs, taking care of kids and pets, and discovering a little bit of time to unwind, home cleaning frequently gets put on the backburner. If this sounds like your situation, it might be time to think about an expert house cleaning service. Instead of investing your evenings or weekends dusting and mopping, you can spend time doing things you really want to do. Keep reading for the most essential things to try to find in-house cleaning services. Use the ideas below to find a credible home cleaning company that will free up your time and do the “dirty work” for you.
1. Stellar Reviews & Reputation
Start your search by requesting referrals from family and friends. Which home cleaning service do they utilize? Are they pleased with their work?
The next best things to individual suggestions are reviews and testimonials. Go on the internet and examine Google, Yelp, the BBB, and other regional review websites in your location. Don’t rely entirely on testimonials from the business’s site– make certain to inspect third-party review sites too.
As you research different cleaning services, try to find reviews that have favorable things to state about their:
- Trustworthiness
- Professionalism
- Punctuality
- Accessibility
- Work principles
- Cleaning abilities
No company is perfect, however, you must see a basic pattern of positive reviews. Bear in mind that one unfavorable review from a dissatisfied client isn’t always sufficient to discredit the whole company.
2. Exceptional Communication Skills
From the very first e-mail or call, you must feel a good rapport with the house cleaning. Before you discuss quotes or schedule a walk-through, utilize the initial contact to get a feel for their business.
Jot down a list of questions to ask, such as:
- How do you set your rates (by the service, hourly, flat fee)?
- Is your bonded business and insured?
- How long have you stayed in business?
- Do you run background checks on your workers?
- What cleaning products do you utilize (and who supplies them)?
- Who will pertain to my home, and how will they access it?
- What should I do with my family pets?
Pay attention to not only their answers, however, the way they interact. Do they appear warm, friendly, real? Will you feel comfortable handing this person the key to your home?
3. Completely Bonded & Insured
What happens if someone gets hurt while cleaning your home? What if something you own gets damaged, broken, or goes missing?
If you employ a cleaning service that isn’t insured and bonded, you will not have any legal defense if something fails. A reputable business will not only have these but will happily supply the evidence upon request.
4. A Variety of Service Offerings
Are you looking for basic upkeep cleaning each week or a few times a month? Do you require a more comprehensive deep cleaning in the spring or prior to a move-out?
Ensure you know precisely what services you need before you begin making calls. The very best cleaning companies will have versatile alternatives that you can customize to the requirements of your house and family.
5. Employees vs. Independent Workers
It’s essential to know that many cleaning services fail to screen their workers or run background checks prior to hiring. Others take a casual mindset about who they hire and might permit an employee to bring their friend/cousin/neighbor with them on the job.
The reality is that you never know what you’re going to get if you employ independent cleaners. You can’t be sure about who you’re letting into your home (or who they might bring with them). There’s no guarantee you’ll get the same cleaners each time or the exact same quality of work.
Search for a home cleaning company that carries out comprehensive screenings and background checks on everyone they hire. It’s not worth the risk otherwise!
Go With Your Gut (Constantly).
Remember, the objective of hiring a house cleaning company is to give you back your:
- Time.
- Energy.
- Comfort.
If you don’t have full confidence that the company you’re considering will give you these things, you need to keep looking. Do not stop asking questions till you’re 100% satisfied. Be honest about your requirements and listen carefully to the actions. What if something feels “off” or you’re just not comfortable? Trust your gut and move on to the next company on your list.
Do You Need a House Cleaning Service?
Just like you wouldn’t delegate your healthcare to a random physician you discovered in the phone book, you should not delegate your house to simply any house cleaning company. Make sure that any business you’re thinking about has a strong track record and great interaction skills. They must be bonded and insured and provide a range of cleaning services. The very best house cleaning services likewise screen and hire their workers as employees. As you’re searching for the ideal home cleaning company for you, keep in mind to always trust your gut! If you follow these actions, you’ll be well on your way to a sparkling clean home.