Finding cleaning services can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from you might be wondering, how do I find cleaning services near me? How do I know which company is the best one for the job?
The service you hire will send strangers to clean parts of your home that are usually off limits others. They will see aspects of your personal life that most people will never see. You have to be able to trust them to be discreet and professional when cleaning the most private areas of your home. Not only are you looking for a company you can trust, but also quality and value. Finding a cleaning service that meets all of those needs can take some time.
While the task of finding a cleaning service can be a little overwhelming, it is one of the best choices you can make for you and your home. The average person spends around 7 hours a week cleaning their home, sometimes more. That is time you could spend working, catching up on projects, or relaxing with family. Who couldn’t use an extra 7 hours? However you choose to spend that time, it’s well worth it. So here are some tips to help you find the right cleaning service near you.
Word Of Mouth
One of the best ways to find a quality cleaning service near you is to ask people you know. Likely, someone you know currently uses a service or has used one in the past. If they don’t, they may know someone who does. This should help give you an idea of at least a few companies to look at, or to avoid.
Search Online
Another way to find a good company is to check online review websites. A google search for ‘cleaning services near me’ will turn up a long list of possibilities. You can use sites like Angie’s List, Yelp, HomeAdvisor, and others review sites to see what people think. They may also have a Facebook, Twitter, or other social media pages where you can read reviews. Just be sure to look closely at their reviews. Each client has their expectations of what a job well done looks like. Life happens. Even the best companies aren’t going to be able to please every single client. A great company will have mostly reviews with 4 or 5 stars, with a few lower ratings here and there. If a company has only 5 star reviews there is a good chance that some of those reviews might be fake.
References
You may not know anyone who has used the particular company you would like to hire. And if the company is new or especially small, they may not have many online reviews. Even if they do, you may still find it helpful to talk to some of their current customers. You may have your own questions, but here are some questions you may want to consider asking:
- How long have you used their service?
- What can you tell me about the service they provide?
- Is there anything you would change about their service? If so, why?
- Have you referred them to your friends and family? Why or why not?
- How are they around your children? What about your pets?
- Have you had to reschedule a cleaning? What was that like?
Be certain to ask the same questions of each client from the companies you want to hire. This will make it easier to compare and contrast the services and narrow down your choices.
The Interview
Once you have narrowed your options you’ll want to schedule an in-home consultation. Many companies can give you an estimate of how much it will cost to clean your home. They base these estimates on the number of bed and bathrooms as well as the square footage of your home. But final figures will depend on your specific cleaning needs. Schedule an in home consultation for an accurate quote. During this consultation the technicians will look at the condition of your home. They will ask questions about what services you would like them to perform. This is also a perfect opportunity to find out a little bit more about the company.
Here are some questions you’ll want to ask during the interview:
- How long has the company been in business?
- How do you set your rates?
- Are you insured and bonded?
- Do you carry workers compensation?
- Do you conduct background checks?
- How many cleaning technicians will you assign to my home?
- Will I have the same cleaning technician?
- Do you furnish your own equipment and cleaning supplies?
- How will you gain access to my home?
- What should I do with my pets or children while you clean?
- What services are included?
- Do you have a satisfaction guarantee?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- How and when will I pay for services?
- Can I get this in writing?
These questions can give you a better sense of how they conduct their business, as well as what type of service you can expect from them. If the company cannot offer you these terms in writing, they may not be able to deliver on their promises.
Clear Communication
This can be a somewhat uncomfortable topic. Many clients will tell the cleaning techs simply to ‘clean it’. It may feel like you are telling them how to do their job, and you are! But that is exactly what your tech needs you to do. Cleaning technicians like those at MaidLuxe are professionally trained. They know the right tools and products to use to clean your home to the highest quality. But their training did not cover your home or your particular cleaning preferences. Knowing how you want things done ensures they can meet your needs. Be prepared to continue this level of open communication after you decide who to hire. Your technicians want to leave your home looking its best. Honest feedback on their performance and how you would like things done enables them to keep doing just that. Just remember to also point out what they are doing well, especially when they go above and beyond. This helps to build the trust and confidence that makes for a great working relationship.
