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Everyone needs a little extra help sometimes. Keeping a home or business clean is no exception. Maybe there is a specific task like laundry piling up or carpets that need to be cleaned, or maybe regular maintenance is just a little too time-consuming.
Whatever the reason, hiring an expert cleaner is an easy, effective, solution. Luckily, there is no shortage of reputable cleaners for specific tasks and general maintenance.
Before hiring an expert cleaner, there are many things to consider, including what needs to be done, how often, and what the budget looks like, as well as security and privacy policies.
Details
The first thing to consider is what exactly needs to be done. This will vary depending on if it is a residential or a commercial building that needs to be cleaned.
Expert cleaners can often put together a package that includes a variety of tasks. This can include basic cleaning, bathrooms, kitchen, dusting, and vacuuming, or other tasks such as dishes and laundry.
Expert cleaners may also be called in for specific tasks like deep cleaning before a big event or after renovation. They may also be used for reorganizing a space.
Before hiring an expert cleaner, carefully consider what exactly needs to be done. The next step is to determine how often. Expert cleaners can be available daily to keep a home or business tidy, or maybe just weekly or monthly, depending on the needs of the family.
It is a good idea to know before you contact an agency what specifically is needed and how frequently.
Along those same lines, it is worth asking if supplies and equipment will be provided. You can also request certain supplies to be used. If supplies arent’s included in the price and they plan to use yours, ask what would happen if your supplies or equipment are broken during services.
If you have a preference for environmentally conscious products or known allergies, this should be mentioned as well. Many cleaners are happy to accommodate special requests.
Reputation
The reputation of the business or individual hired is also an important consideration. Allowing strangers into a home or a business allows access to sensitive information as well as valuable and treasured items.
Look into how long the business has been around and read reviews from current and previous customers. Be sure to carefully read policies to see if employees are screened and if the company is bonded and insured to protect against the damaged or stolen property.
Also, look into how the company has handled complaints in the past, and ask if they have a service guarantee. This is a good indicator that they will get the job done right.
It is also important to know if the company allows employees to work in a home or business alone or as a team. Having good security protocols in place shows that a business values safety.
Generally, it is best practice to get in writing, all of the details, including information about insurance, workman’s compensation, and bonding. You also want a firm contract outlining the exact services they will provide.
Budget
Pricing is an important consideration when beginning your search. Ask any potential cleaner how they set their rates. There are often several different options for rates.
Some cleaners choose a flat hourly rate and may provide estimates as to how long a specific job will take on average. Others may go based on the size of the space that needs to be cleaned or offer specific packages. Some include common areas like kitchens and bathrooms in the base price. Then, they charge additional fees for spaces like each bedroom.
In addition, other cleaners may offer an a la carte option, allowing the customer to requests specific tasks that are complete. This might include things like laundry, window cleaning, and organization.
Consider what needs to be done and how often. It is common for cleaners to offer discounts for those who have more frequent appointments. While discussing rates, also ask about additional fees for canceling or extra messes, guarantees of services, and the refund policy.
Timing
While the frequency and duration of the services are important, there are other time considerations as well.
For example, what time of day and day of the week services will take place. A busy family may prefer to have someone come in and clean the house during the day while everyone is gone. On the other hand, a business may prefer the cleaning to be done in the evening after business hours.
Homeowners with pets at home may need to decide if a time when the owners are home would be better or if they can schedule their cleaning when their pet can be elsewhere.
Be sure to check the business hours, and if evenings or weekends will cost extra.
Communication
Hiring a professional that comes into a home or business, particularly while empty, is a big commitment and not a decision to be made lightly. Once a decision has been made to hire an expert cleaner, the next step is communication.
Find out how appointments will be scheduled, how information will be relayed. It’s important to know who to contact to cancel or reschedule. What is the process for last-minute changes and special requests?
Be sure to have a point of contact with a supervisor as well as a direct way to contact the person that will be cleaning. Having an open line of communication will make the whole process go much more smoothly.
Getting the Best Clean
Hiring an expert cleaner is a choice made by many families and businesses. Experts can come in to take care of daily chores or very specific tasks. It is also common to have someone come in to clean to prepare for special events.
Before hiring an expert cleaner, there are several things to consider. The first of which, is to work out the specifics, of what needs to be done and how often. You will also want to determine what your budget is and how the cleaner’s pricing model works.
Once the details are worked out there are a few more decisions, consider the reputation of the company, how long they have been in the business, and what their practices are regarding security and privacy. Other considerations include ease of communication and constraints regarding time and scheduling.
With careful consideration, hiring an expert cleaner can be a wise choice that saves time and ensures a clean and organized environment. Choose wisely and you’ll be grateful for your decision.
