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There are many individuals and companies out there offering cleaning and housekeeping services. But how do you make sure you choose the right one for the needs of your home, business or holiday let? I always recommend you do your research when selecting a cleaner to allow into your home as it may not be as simple as you think. After all, "they're only a cleaner" but are they? Whilst there are many cleaners around, there are also many cleaners offering lots of different services at very varied levels within the sector. When choosing any cleaner/cleaning company (even if it is not me), consider the following key points before making a decision to ensure everything goes smoothly.....
Start your search early if possible - Cleaners and companies who are good at what they do and come highly recommended, may have a waiting list and be booked up on the day/dates you need them.
Always do your research - Take a look around, see who is available in your area, the services they offer and look at examples of their work before you book. Have a really good look at their social media and website. Check out reviews and read some of the posts they have shared. Look for signs that they are professional and work to a high standard. Experience and training are vital in the cleaning industry. A bad cleaner can cause more damage than you may think. Think about why a cleaner may be busy and have a waiting list and another may not. How long have they been in business? Cleaning is often a 'stop-gap' job so it is worth bearing in mind that new cleaners may not be around for long before finding a different job.
What are the qualities of a good cleaner? - There are so many characteristics that good cleaners have in common. Here are just a few of them in my opinion - reliability, consistency, integrity, trustworthiness, discretion, politeness, good manners, a friendly disposition, good time management, a keen eye for detail, the ability to work alone and a willingness to constantly learn and improve.
Think about what matters to you - Reliability? Consistency? A professional manner? Good with people? Great with pets? Eco friendly or chemical free cleaning? Experience? Insurance? An eye for detail? Write a list down in order of what is important to you and your family. This will really help you to make a decision on the right cleaner for you and your home. Be explicit about your needs and wishes. Tell the person doing the job exactly what you would like done. Specify priority areas and explain tasks which are essential. Communication is key and this doesn't stop after the first clean!
What services are included? - Keep in mind that not all cleaners are the same and therefore, some provide services that others do not. It is always best to check or ask the question. What will they do for me? What do they clean? Are they flexible or is it a very rigid service? Can I choose every week what I want doing? Will they do the little extras? Is the service tailored to my individual needs? There are always varying levels of quality for cleaners and differences of opinion in what should and should not be included in a standard or deep clean. Communication is key - express your expectations clearly to ensure they meet your needs. Some cleaners are under pressure for time, under supported and underpaid. I always recommend that any client should always meet their cleaner first, for a no-obligation chat to go through expectations before commencing work. An experienced cleaner will be able to advise you how long they feel they will need to clean your home to a professional standard.
What are others saying? - Take a look at the reviews/feedback from previous and current clients. Have they been recommended to you by someone you know or who is currently using their services? Can they provide references?
Meet them first - Ask to meet the business owner or cleaner prior to committing to a service or making a booking. I know people who have been let down at the last minute for an end of tenancy clean, clients who have had their property damaged by cleaners working in their home and people who have booked cleaners who just didn't do a very good job. When you have decided on an individual or company to do the job, make sure you know the full name of the person coming to you. You'd be surprised how many people don't check this and only know a first name or the name of the business.
Are they insured? - This could be something that you have not considered before, but having a cleaner that is fully insured will give you peace of mind should anything unfortunate happen. Having a clean DBS check can also help to give reassurance. Your home is your sanctuary and your safe space and allowing a cleaner free access into your home (often unsupervised) is a big deal, so never be afraid to ask to see the documentation of your cleaner. Any cleaner who takes this responsibility seriously should be more than happy to share them with you. If they are holding keys, check what systems they have in place to ensure that your keys are safe and secure at all times. I strongly believe that when you are looking to allow someone into your home, you really should want to tick as many boxes as you can when it comes to integrity and trust. It sets the tone that you know you are working with a competent person or company who takes pride in their work and values what they do. If you are using a company that uses staff or sub-contractors, ask about their employee screening process to ensure trustworthy individuals will be entering your home or office.
Price - Consider your budget, what is included in the cost, but also what is a fair and sustainable wage for your cleaner. Be wary of cleaners who are selling their service for cheaper than the average cost in your area or are lowering their prices in order to secure your booking. And if it sounds too good to be true for the price, then it probably is. Ultimately you're paying for the quality of a service. If a cleaner's quote is out of your budget, please be respectful of their business and do not try and haggle with their prices. You wouldn't do it to your hairdresser or with the cashier in a shop, so please don't try and do this to another small business. And please be mindful that it is unfair to compare current prices to what you may have been paying in the past for a cleaning service.
Terms of service - A professional cleaner/cleaning company will provide a contract/service agreement of their business terms. Review the terms and conditions of the contract/service agreement carefully. Are you tied into a lengthy contract? What is their cancellation policy? Will you be charged for cancellations? Do they offer a guarantee?
Finally - Never hand over cash to cleaners in advance as you may never see them again - or your money!
Taking these extra steps will help you find the perfect cleaner/cleaning company for your needs. More and more people are flooding into the cleaning industry on a daily basis. If you are looking for a professional cleaning service, please be careful. I cannot stress this enough as I have seen first hand, the damage that can be caused to your home by a poor cleaner. It can be a little daunting not knowing what is out there and what is possible, especially if you have never hired a cleaner before so don't be afraid to ask anything - there is no such thing as a silly question.
Any good cleaner or company will be happy to answer your questions and help you make an informed and well rounded decision and get the service that is right for you and your family. Should that mean your fit is better with someone else, they should always be open and honest with you. Every cleaner has different methods, schedules and processes and where one cleaner may not be right for someone, they will be right for another. You just have to find the right one for you.
I hope these tips help you to find a cleaner or housekeeper with whom you can develop a positive and trusting working relationship and feel safe in the knowledge that they are professional, respectful and will get the job done just how you like it!
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