Are you overwhelmed with keeping your house clean? Are you looking into hiring a maid service?
Many homeowners find that maid services are well worth the investment and provide many benefits to your home and family. They can make your house clean and healthy, making you and your family happy and more productive. They can save you time, stress and even money.
Yet maid service hiring can be a tricky process. You’ll want to be sure you’re getting an experienced, quality cleaner rather than a less-than-professional outfit.
Here’s what you should be looking for.
1. References and Reviews
One of the best ways to find the right maid service is to ask your friends and family for recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Was the job always done thoroughly and efficiently? Was the service always professional and on time? Were there any unexpected costs?
You’ll know if a company provides quality service if several former customers are reporting positive experiences. Read online reviews and take a look at the comments others are making.
You may notice that several former clients are saying the same thing. Maybe they loved the look of the house after it was cleaned or they enjoyed the friendly attitudes of the workers. You can get a pretty good idea of what you’re experience will be like.
If you can’t get any personal recommendations, ask prospective companies for the names of at least three references. Call them up and ask for a candid description of their experience.
2. A License
States have different licensing requirements for cleaning services. The state of Georgia, for example, requires that businesses get registered with the secretary of state’s office as well as the Department of Revenue.
Ask prospective businesses for their license numbers before you go ahead and hire them.
3. Insurance
Before you hire a cleaner, you’ll want to check and make sure they have proper insurance. They’ll need liability insurance, which ensures that you won’t get held liable if a maid causes damage to your property.
They should also have worker’s compensation, which makes sure that the insurance company will be responsible for medical bills if a cleaning employee gets hurt on your property. Otherwise, you could end up being responsible!
Ask your cleaning company for their insurance policy numbers before you hire them. If you’re extra-thorough, call the insurance companies and verify the numbers.
4. The Right Price
The average maid service costs around $168. Families, however, can end up spending anywhere from $116 and $235.
The actual price for your cleaning job may depend upon several factors. The condition of your home, the amount of clutter you collect, and the type of cleaning your requesting will all play a role. Service fees will also depend upon your geographical location.
Before you hire a professional service, make sure you get t least three estimates from local companies. You’ll want to be sure that the price you’ll be paying is reasonable for your job type and location.
Keep in mind that you also may end up tipping the workers 10%-20% on top of the cleaning service fee. You’ll want to budget for the entire expense before you hire a service to do regular work.
It’s also important to think about payment options. A service that’s asking for cash only, for example, may not work for you if you don’t have time to run to the bank twice a month.
5. A Flexible Schedule
It will take the average cleaning company around an hour and a half to clean a 1,000-square-foot home. You’ll want to multiply that amount of time if your house is bigger.
Some folks prefer to be home when the cleaning service is there, and others like to be out. You’ll want to know that your cleaning company can be available to do the job when you know it will work for you.
Ask prospective cleaning companies about their available times before you settle on one. You may wish to hire a service for a single job, such as a clean-up before a party. Or you may be looking for a monthly, bi-monthly, or weekly cleaning.
Whatever your needs are, make sure you’re company is available as often as you need them to be.
6. The Right Supplies
You’ll want to ask your cleaning companies about the equipment and cleaning supplies they use before you hire them. You’ll want to watch out for companies that seem to be using old or outdated equipment. An experienced company will know about the right equipment to use on different surfaces, such as carpet, marble, or tile.
If you or someone in your home suffers from allergies, ask about hypoallergenic options. Should your cleaning company need you to provide any supplies, you’ll want to know ahead of time. You’re cleaner may use allergy-friendly products, which can help everyone breathe a little easier!
7. Get It In Writing
The right cleaning company will be willing to put all of their services in writing so you’re agreement is clearly understood. The frequency of their visits, the services expected, and costs should all be clearly spelled out.
A professional company will also be willing to explain any charges you don’t understand. They should be ready and eager to answer any questions and reassure you of the quality of their service!
Maid Service Hiring
Maid service hiring shouldn’t be an extra job in itself. With the right research, you can find a company with good references, experience, and prices in your area. They’ll keep your home clean and healthy for years to come!
Don’t stop getting tidy now. For more information on cleaning services in your area, contact us today.
