Hiring A Cleaning Service? A Pro Answers the Most Common Questions

Hiring A Cleaning ServiceAre you’re thinking about hiring a cleaning company but have no idea where to look for one or what to expect? Do you have a ton of questions but feel sort of silly asking them? Here are the answers to 4 of the most common questions I receive about hiring a cleaning service:

Should I hire a service or an individual?

I see pros and cons to both, and here’s why. I use to BE that individual cleaning houses on my own, so I know how hard individuals work! I know how my customers loved me and the ability to call me anytime without having to go through the company. That said, a good service will give you the same feeling of a solo cleaner but with the speed of a team and the security of insurance. Being insured protects the customer: YOU! Did you know there were thousands of claims against homeowners last year due to injuries in homes? Any good service will provide insurance so make sure they do! Also, as stated above, a good service will give you the ability to really connect to the people cleaning your home. You should feel like you know them and have the ability to call your lead cleaner. Relationship building with the cleaners and the owners is very important and a must in my option.

Should I have them come to my home or just get an estimate over the phone?

Another hard one for me because I have done it both ways. When I started my company I would go do each customer’s home and walk it with them, spend some time talking to them and then send them an estimate. A few years in, I was coached on strictly doing estimates over the phone and changed my business model as such. I still continued to grow but I felt like I completely lost my connection to my customers, and that is what I loved the most. So recently, I’ve started in-home estimates again and feel very strongly it is the only way to truly know what my customers’ needs are. It has more to do with getting to know my customers than the home itself. Trust me, you will have a much happier outcome from your cleaning if you have someone who comes, spends time getting to know you and THEN sends you a bid. The only time over the phone is acceptable is really a good idea is a move in/out cleanings.

How do I prepare for my cleaning?

I’m sure if you know anyone who has a service cleaning their home you’ve heard them say “I always clean before my home is cleaned.” True. Most services will ask you to have your home as picked up as possible on cleaning day as this will allow the cleaners coming into the home to do their job – giving you a much better outcome. Most maid services are there to do the hard and dirty stuff you don’t’ have time to do, so items such as hair brushes, toiletries, food, dishes, papers & mail should be put away. And counter tops and flooring should be as clear as possible of toys, clothing, and other items.

Can I tailor my cleaning to better fit my needs?

This answer varies depending on the service you hire. Some services will tailor your cleaning while others will not at all. I say to look for one who does a little of both. They should utilize a “general cleaning list” but should also be willing to figure out what your true cleaning pain is and help alleviate any stress surrounding it. Are they going to take all the tchotchkes out of your china cabinet, wipe each one down and put them back, probably not (although this is a great option to add to the deep cleaning once or twice a year). What a great company will do is know your needs before the cleaning and meet them. They will also be willing to do little things like not clean a guest bedroom or basement this time but maybe when you have company coming into town. Those little tweaks can really make a difference in how happy you are with the overall cleaning and the company itself.

I hope these questions and answers gave you a little more clarity and direction if you’re thinking about hiring a company or have always just been curious. I would love to answer more of your most pressing cleaning questions in the comments below, so bring them on!

1 COMMENT

  1. This is a great article on cleaning services! I have been thinking about hiring a cleaning service to give my wife a break from all of her hard work. I never realized that you should clean up your home the best you can before the cleaning service even arrives. That makes sense, because they would want to use their time on the deep cleaning that we don’t normally get to.

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