Your house is a perpetual mess. Unfortunately, you don’t have anywhere near enough time to keep it clean. For this reason, you’re considering hiring a home cleaning service.
The only problem is: you’re not sure how to find the right one. That’s why you’ve arrived at this article. You’re looking for some tips.
Fortunately, we have some for you. So, without further ado, here are 10 tidy tips for hiring a business and home cleaning service.
1. Get a Feel for the Business’s Reputation
Perhaps the most important aspect of choosing a cleaning company is to get a feel for its reputation. If a company has a good reputation, it likely provides quality service. If a company has a bad reputation, on the other hand, it likely provides poor service.
The question is: how do you get a feel for a cleaning company’s reputation? The answer: the internet, of course.
There are a number of company review sites that you can take advantage of, including but not limited to Yelp, Facebook, Google, and the Better Business Bureau, to name just a few. These sites are bound to be filled with a wide variety of reviews for each cleaning company you come across.
If reviews on these sites are primarily positive, the company is worth hiring; If reviews on these sites are primarily negative, the company should be avoided.
It’s wise to keep an eye on star ratings as well. Generally speaking, you should never opt for a company with less than 4 out of 5 stars.
2. Inquire About Services
While all cleaning companies do essentially the same thing (clean houses and business properties), they don’t all provide the exact same services. For instance, whereas one service might only provide standard cleaning, another business might provide deep cleaning in addition to standard cleaning. And whereas one might clean windows on the exteriors of skyscrapers, another might stick to the safer parts of a building.
In other words, in terms of services provided, cleaning companies are not created equally. As such, when searching, it’s important to ensure that the companies you’re considering provide the services you need. Otherwise, you’re just wasting your time.
3. Check for Insurance
Your cleaning company will be working in your home. As such, it has the potential to do damage to your possessions. For this reason, you need to make sure that it has insurance.
This way, should the company damage any of your belongings, it would be able to replace them with little fuss.
If you were to hire an uninsured company, and if that company were to do damage to your possessions, it might be less willing to provide you with compensation. Then, the only way to get compensation would be to file a lawsuit (the last thing you want to do).
There’s also the issue of employee injury. If an uninsured company’s employee becomes injured on your property, and if that company isn’t insured, you could be forced to pay compensation to the employee.
To avoid these scenarios, there are two types of insurance that your cleaning company will need. One is general liability insurance; the other is workers’ compensation insurance. Make sure to see proof of both before signing any contracts.
4. Ask About Guarantees
When you hire a cleaning company to clean your house, you’re paying that company to, indeed, clean your house. You’re not paying it to do a haphazard job or to leave certain areas untouched.
That said, even professional cleaners aren’t perfect. They too make mistakes from time to time, providing a lower quality of service than what they’re typically able to provide. In the end, the important part is that they make up for those mistakes, and at no additional cost to you.
How can you ensure that a cleaning company will make up for its mistakes? By asking for a guarantee and getting it down in writing.
5. Find Out How Long a Cleaning Session Will Take
Different cleaning companies have different capabilities. Whereas one company might be able to clean a 2,000 square-foot house in 2 hours, another might take up to 4.
This difference in time can have a seismic effect on your life. In the first instance, you could probably lead your life without ever having to come into contact with your cleaners. In the second instance, you might very well have to share your home with your cleaners for an hour or two.
Assess your preferences and figure out what you can deal with. Then, find a company whose working practices align with your needs.
6. Get Estimates!
As you might expect, different cleaning companies charge different rates. Whereas one company might charge $50 an hour, another company might charge $90 an hour. For a single cleaning, this can be a difference of $40 to $160 and maybe even more.
As such, before hiring a cleaning company, you’re advised to call around and get estimates from the different companies in your area. While it’s not always wise to hire the cheapest company around, it’s usually not wise to hire the most expensive either (money is precious after all).
In most cases, it’s wise to opt for a company with intermediate rates. These companies are likely to provide the most bang for your buck.
In any case, make sure that you’re fully aware of what you’ll be paying. You don’t want to be smacked in the face with a surprisingly expensive bill.
Looking for a Reputable Home Cleaning Service in Raleigh?
Are you looking for a reputable home cleaning service in Raleigh or the surrounding area? If so, Val’s Cleaning Maids are the people to call.
Whether you’re in need of standard cleaning, intensive cleaning, or something in between, we can accommodate you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!