Tips for Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service
When it comes to juggling your busy work schedule with the daily errands, taking care of the kids, and the dreaded “WHAT AM I GOING TO DO FOR DINNER!?”, who has the time to keep the house clean? For many people, they realize it is impossible to do all by themselves, so hiring a cleaning service is the logical choice. Maybe you too consider it but get nervous at the thought of a stranger cleaning your home. So, with the goal of helping you reduce one more source of stress in your life, we created a short guide to help you easily hire your first professional cleaning service.
Make a list of local cleaning services
Okay, this one should be obvious, but the first step toward hiring a cleaning service is finding a cleaning service. Not just anyone, mind you, we’re looking for a reputable business that cares about quality and your safety.
- Ask your family and friends if they have hired a cleaning service, and who they recommend.
- Look up local businesses online and start reading reviews.
- Do they have a website that provides detailed information?
- Are they highly rated by the Better Business Bureau?
Ask questions
Once you have a list of cleaning services you would like to hire, it’s time to narrow it down by asking the right questions. This is where you truly separate the good from the bad and find the perfect fit for you. Remember, these are the people you are trusting to care for your home.
Can they provide references?
This one should be a must on everyone’s list of questions. The best way to find out about who you are potentially hiring is by talking directly to others who have hired that cleaning service. If they are truly as good as they say they are, they will have no problems finding a good reference for you. We recommend talking to 2-3 previous clients for a good understanding of what to expect.
What are their rates?
Some cleaning services charge an hourly fee while others charge by the project. The last thing you want is to hire a cleaning service that sends one person who takes their sweet time cleaning to rack up the hours “working”. A reputable cleaning service will talk to you beforehand to come up with the best estimate for you. Bonus points if they are willing to do an in-home estimate! That means they are invested enough to care about your repeated business.
Do they provide their own supplies?
While you may assume this is a given, some cleaners don’t and use your supplies instead. While they may be cheaper, do you want someone grabbing rags from your closet and snooping for chemicals in your cabinets? We didn’t think so.
What chemicals do they use?
If they do provide their own supplies, be sure to ask what chemicals they use. Are they safe around pets and surfaces children come into contact with? Make sure to do a quick search if you are unfamiliar with any cleaning supplies.
Time to schedule your first appointment
Now that you’ve found someone you feel comfortable hiring, the next thing to do is schedule them for your first cleaning. Here are a few tips to help you with this process:
Call in advance
This step is important to make sure your schedules match. It is almost impossible to schedule a same day cleaning. Some cleaning services require 2 weeks’ notification in advance, so it is best to organize the visit sooner rather than later.
Communicate
The saying “communication is key” should also apply to what you expect from your cleaning service. If you have specific demands (like making sure recyclables are disposed of separately), then make sure you clearly explain them to your cleaners. The best option is to neatly write everything down to prevent confusion.
Hiring a professional cleaning service doesn’t have to be a chore. Now that you know what to expect, getting the help you need is a breeze.
Of course, you could also contact your local cleaning service experts at Dust n Time. Based in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, we are a family-owned company with an A+ rating from the BBB, and we believe in treating your family just like our own. We are fully Licensed, Insured, and covered by Workers Comp and Unemployment in the state of Delaware (#4665808). We also go the extra mile to protect your pets from harm by using pet-friendly cleaning products.
If you would like to schedule a cleaning, give us a call today! We provide free estimates and will do a walk-through of your home with you to determine what your family’s cleaning needs are.