Hiring a cleaning service

You are thinking about hiring a cleaning service, but don’t know how to find the right fit for you?
Sure, you can google cleaning services in your area and the internet will give you a list. But then you still have to choose the right one!

Here are some factors to keep in mind and a few questions that you should ask before you hire:

First off, you need to think about what you are looking for. I.e. monthly, weekly, daily, move in/ move out service/ event cleaning …
A good provider should offer the whole spectrum and they should be flexible enough to cater to your needs.

Secondly, you should not have to sign a contract or paperwork of any sort, which binds you to using the service for extended periods of time.
A good provider offers great service at all times, and good service breeds loyalty!

Third, ask your provider if they are licensed and insured.
The answer should always be “Yes”.
This guarantees that your provider actually operates as a legal entity and their insurance will cover any damages one of their cleaners could cause during the service.

Fourth, a good service should be smoke and drug free!

Fifth, does your potential cleaning service provide all cleaning supplies at no additional cost to you? And do they offer green cleaning solutions?

Sixth, do you have a direct line of communication to your provider’s management team?
An involved provider will do their best to answer your calls or to get back to you asap.

Seventh, does your provider offer a free in-house estimate? This is really the best way to judge if the provider is a good fit. They should be knowledgeable, be able to answer your questions, give a good company presentation, and be friendly and accommodating.

Last but not least, what does your provider’s pricing structure look like?
Some providers charge by the square footage, some charge by the hour, some have a fixed price.
A good provider should offer a fixed rate for a recurring cleaning, an hourly rate for an occasional cleaning, and set hourly rate for event cleaning. This ensures that you are getting the best price per cleaning. Some providers will charge a first time cleaning fee, which is only justified if you are paying a fixed rate, not an hourly rate.