For busy homeowners looking to find more balance in their schedules, hiring a cleaning service can be a great solution for simplifying your life. But you want to make sure you find the right one and fully understand the range of services available to you. Many people hire the cheapest company they can find without knowing what to expect from house cleaning services. This can quickly lead to disappointment and regret.
If you aren’t sure how to choose a cleaning service, start by asking the right questions. Call every company you’re interested in and interview them to make sure they can provide their services the way you need and that you understand their policies.
Not sure what to ask? Below are some key questions everyone should ask when hiring a cleaning service.
What kind of training does the staff receive?
The best house cleaning services are those performed by highly trained and knowledgeable staff. Always ask about employee qualifications and training. You can ask about how much training employees receive and what they’re trained on.
Look for a company that spends at least 2 weeks training new hires before placing them on a team and who cross-trains their staff in all aspects of residential cleaning and equipment.
Do you perform employee background checks?
You need to know that you can trust the service providers coming to your home. It is the duty of any cleaning company you hire to ensure the staff they send to your home are trustworthy.
Ask what kind of precautions they take when hiring new employees. The answer should be thorough criminal background checks and drug screening.
Is your staff insured?
Did you know that you could be held liable for work-related injuries sustained in your home? For this reason, it’s important that you always ask about employee insurance. Many companies cut corners here and leave the responsibility on your shoulders.
Only hire a cleaning service where all employees are insured and bonded and have worker’s compensation insurance. Don’t trust a company that is willing to let you take that risk for them.
How do you ensure my home is secured after leaving?
If you’re planning on hiring a cleaning service to come to your home when you aren’t there, you will have to make arrangements for them to enter the premises. Many homeowners give their cleaning company a spare key, garage door opener, or key code to use. If this is your plan, ask how they keep your key, device, or code secure and what steps they take to ensure cleaners lock up after they’re done.
They should have a system for anonymously marking each client’s entry device in case it was ever lost and keeping them locked up when not in use. These measures ensure your key, opener, or code cannot be used to enter your house should they ever fall into the wrong hands.
What happens if something is missed or damaged in my home?
Accidents happen. Any cleaner you hire should have a policy in place to handle client complaints. Most will have a satisfaction guarantee that allows you to report a mistake and have it fixed within 24 hours at no additional charge to you.
A credible cleaning company will also have a process for handling accidental damage. Such a process should include the crew notifying their employer and leaving you a note, and the office should contact you to make arrangements for replacement or repair. They should also have insurance that covers damage done to your property.
Always ask about liability insurance and never hire a company that doesn’t carry it. You can also ask for tips about how to protect valuables from accidents during scheduled cleanings.
Who provides the cleaning supplies?
Any cleaning service worth their salt will make things as easy as possible for you by bringing their own supplies and equipment. After all, you’re paying for their expertise so they should know better than anyone what products to use. You can also ask about their products of choice.
Today, many cleaners have switched to environmentally-friendly cleaning products so you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals in your home.
Will the first cleaning cost more?
You’ll probably notice that in discussing rates, most cleaning companies charge more for the initial cleaning. It might be tempting to go with a cheaper competitor, but there’s a reason for this practice and it’s a good one. A quality cleaner will give you a detailed deep cleaning on the first visit to establish a baseline of cleanliness to match during future appointments.
It also takes a little more work to clean a home that hasn’t been receiving professional cleanings in the past. This first, more costly appointment is meant to set you up for future cleanings and is well worth the extra fee when you see the long-term results.
What are your policies for cancellations, rescheduling, and holidays?
Life happens and you want to know that your cleaning company can work with you when your schedule changes. Ask about how they handle client cancellations, reschedules, and holidays. A client-friendly company will be flexible as long as they receive reasonable notice of cancellation or rescheduling. Be sure to ask if there are fees for canceling with little notice.
It will also be easier for you to understand their holiday policy and what holidays they take off. If your regularly scheduled cleaning appointment falls on a holiday, how do they handle it? Ideally, they will give you rescheduling options well ahead of time to prevent any inconvenience.
House Cleaning Services with All the Right Answers
The only way you’ll reap all of the benefits of hiring a cleaning service is if you choose a reputable company that puts your needs and home’s security first. They should employ trustworthy, trained professionals and have insurance for each of them.
There should be policies in place to minimize any inconvenience to you. Above all, you should feel comfortable and respected when working with them as well as receive a top-notch cleaning job every time they come.
If you want to hire a cleaning service who has all of the right answers, look no further than Housekeeping Maid Easy. We’ve served many Indianapolis area families just like yours for more than 10 years, giving them beautifully clean, organized homes at the right price.
If you’ve never hired a house cleaning service before, request a quote today and we’ll tell you everything you need to know to get started!