FAQs and Tips About House Cleaning Services 

WHY HIRE A CLEANING SERVICE? 

Housecleaning services can provide service on the schedule you prefer. Weekly, biweekly, and monthly schedules are popular. One-time services are also available. These services include move-in and move-out cleaning and post-construction cleaning. Whatever kind of cleaning you need, there are many benefits to hiring a cleaning service over an independent housekeeper. 

It’s safer. Most reputable services conduct background checks on all employees. These checks are really important for your safety. You’ll be giving the cleaning service access to your house. The peace of mind that the service’s employees are vetted is priceless. 

No personal liability. When you hire an independent house cleaner, you officially become that person’s employer. That increases the potential for legal headaches if anything goes wrong. A professional housecleaning service will have appropriate insurance coverage. This ensures that you won’t have to pay out of pocket for injury-related or property damage expenses if an accident happens at your house. Cleaning companies also handle the tax and social security paperwork involved with hiring a service provider. This makes the process of hiring a housekeeper much simpler for you. 

Easier conflict resolution. An advantage of using a cleaning service is the ability to try several housekeepers without changing companies. If you aren’t thrilled with the first person the company sends to your house, ask for someone else or a different team for the next visit. If issues arise with a specific employee, the cleaning service will help settle the dispute. You won’t have to confront anyone directly. 

QUESTIONS TO ASK 

Be sure to ask lots of questions as you interview cleaning companies. There are many details involved with house cleaning. Understanding the company’s services and procedures before hiring them helps ensure that your experience with them is a good one. Find out if you will need to provide cleaning supplies or if the company brings their own. Make sure to ask whether you’ll need to straighten up around the house before the cleaners arrive, too. The company may ask you to pick up clothing, kids’ toys, or other items before your appointment time. 

Ask if there are any services the cleaning company does not provide. Some companies don’t wash dishes or do laundry, for instance. Others offer these services, but for an extra fee. These clarifying questions help prevent misunderstandings. 

Other questions to ask a housecleaning company include: How does the company hire its employees? What are the scheduled tasks for initial cleaning and for regular service? Do I need to sign a contract? What happens if I need to reschedule? How does the company handle breakage of personal items? Do I need to be home during visits? Will one person or a team of people be cleaning my house? Asking the right questions will ensure that you and the cleaning service you hire are on the same page and that your expectations will be met. 

CLEANING SUPPLIES 

If you have kids or pets, ask what type of cleaning supplies the housecleaning service uses. If the company claims to offer green cleaning services, ask which agency has certified its cleaning products. If you or anyone in your family are prone to allergies, particularly dust allergies, ask if the company uses vacuums with HEPA filters. These high-quality filters trap dust particles inside the vacuum so they are not blown back into the house. 

CLEANING SERVICES 

Your exact cleaning services will be customized to your house and your needs. Typically, a house cleaning visit includes dusting, vacuuming, wiping down surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens, cleaning toilets, and other basic cleaning tasks. Be sure to ask your house cleaning service for a list of the cleaning tasks they’ll perform in your house. 

Weekly and biweekly cleaning services usually take less time than monthly or one-time cleanings. However, your first cleaning service may take longer than following cleanings. This does depend on what shape your house is in, of course. Regardless, the team will take time to learn your house on that first visit. While weekly cleanings will keep your house spotless, a monthly cleaning schedule will still keep your house tidy and looking well maintained. 

A one-time cleaning can help you prepare for a planned event or gathering. It can also help you get ready for houseguests. Have the whole house cleaned or just a guest suite. It’s up to you, and it all depends on your needs. Arrange the cleaning service well in advance. This ensures that staff will be available. Also be sure that there’s enough time before the event for the team to take care of everything on your list. 

Move-in and move-out cleanings are a lifesaver during the moving process. Packing, selling an old home, coordinating a move, and closing on a new home take a lot of time and energy. Take some stress off yourself and hire a professional cleaning service to clean your old house, the new house, or both. A move-in cleaning will give you a fresh start in your new space. A move-out cleaning is a welcoming touch for your home’s next occupants. 

Post-construction cleaning is a good idea if you’ve recently done major renovations. Remodeling projects produce a lot of dust and debris that you probably don’t want circulating around inside your house. Sawdust and other particles can affect the respiratory system. Schedule a thorough cleaning service for after your remodeling project is over. 

GETTING AN ACCURATE QUOTE 

For the most accurate quote, meet with the cleaning company at your house. This way, the company representative can see the exact areas you want to have cleaned. They will also be able to point out areas that would be addressed during the cleaning. 

Be as specific as possible when explaining your needs and expectations. Also clarify which rooms you want to have cleaned and how often you’ll need service. Quotes for house cleaning services depend on several factors. In most cases, these include the size of the home, the frequency of service, and the overall amount of work.