For a growing number of time-pressed Americans, hiring a cleaning service is something we're quite happy to do. Since our time is so limited between work and home responsibilities, performing household chores is hardly how we want to spend the few free hours left over at the end of the day.
And having a cleaning service nowadays isn't a luxury anymore. As we try to balance our busy lives and get more out of our leisure time, hiring some cleaning help is becoming more common.
An occasional cleaning service ensures your house will be given the care that you might not have the time or inclination to provide. And having a consistently clean house helps prevent insect infestations, clears clutter (a potential fire hazard), and helps to provide a healthy environment.
But how do you hire a cleaning service in which you can be confident?
1 - Family, friends and neighbors can be a great source of information -- ask them for recommendations.
2 - Check national associations for recommendations in your area:
3 - Yellow Pages and now the Internet offer multiple and reliable sources. Search Engines and Local Classifieds are the best place to find a professional.
4 - Get at least three estimates. But beware of deals which sound too good to be true - they often are! Choosing a cleaning company solely by low price doesn't work. The truth is, when we invest wisely, we get what we pay for.
5 - Determine exactly which tasks you need a professional cleaning service to perform. If it's easy for you to take care of the more general chores, and you really need someone to assume responsibility for the more laborious tasks like window-washing, dusting, bathrooms and kitchen, make sure you communicate those preferences to your prospective cleaning service. You could save yourself a considerable amount of money in the process.
As you begin to speak with cleaning service companies, ask them to come to your home for an on-premises interview. This will ensure that the cleaning service is able to determine the magnitude of the job, and it gives them the opportunity to decline if they feel it's beyond their present capabilities. In addition, if they determine the price to clean your home is higher than they originally expected, they can communicate the price to you and avoid surprises later. Before you speak with any cleaning service companies, draw up a list of the chores you need performed in your home. Ask the cleaning service representative to review the list, and inform you of any chore they cannot clean for you. Before the cleaning service representative leaves, make sure you have a firm estimate in writing.
Ask how long the cleaning service has been in business. Obviously, a cleaning service company with a long history of service in your community is one worth interviewing. In addition, you'll need to figure out how often you'll need the cleaning company's services. The cleaning service company will probably offer you their services on a more frequent basis than you (and your budget) need. With some simple maintenance, you can keep your house in presentable condition until the cleaning service's next visit to your home. And finally, obtain in writing the specific chores the cleaning service will perform, the schedule for their visits, and the price for each visit.
6 - What cleaning products are used and who supplies them?
Most cleaning services companies provide the products to save their client's time and expense (so they say). Actually, that only means a dust rag and an all-purpose cleaning solution. Some cleaning companies ask the client to provide them so the home is cleaned with the client's preferred products. See
supplies
