If you’re like the vast majority of Americans today, you spend a good part of your waking hours at work. When you’re not working, you get to relax, spend time with family and friends, and hopefully create a healthy work-life balance. That’s all fine—until you try to squeeze in cleaning your house. Ideally, you tidy as you go, doing a few chores each weeknight and some on the weekend. But let’s get real—how many people are actually able to stick to a schedule like this?
It’s for these reasons and more that people rely on cleaning services to help lighten their load when they get home from a busy day. Having someone else do the cleaning means you can gain back several hours of relaxation each week. You don’t want to hire any old service, though. It needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and high-quality. Here’s what you should look for in a cleaning service.
Has the Staff Been Vetted?
A flashy website may initially grab your attention, but you need to dig much deeper. The first question to ask a potential cleaning service is what procedures they use to vet staff. What assurances do you have that the staff are reliable and trustworthy in your home? Many homeowners aren’t home while the cleaner is there, so it’s essential to understand the vetting process to ensure your peace of mind.
Keep in mind that if the cleaner shows up when you’re not home, they will need to have a key. You wouldn’t just give your house key to anyone, which is why vetting is important.
How Long Has the Cleaning Service Been Operating?
Another question to ask the cleaning service is how long they have been in business. Most homeowners prefer companies with a proven track record. This means they have experience, reliability, and likely a solid reputation. If the service is brand new, you are more likely to encounter some bumps in the road as new businesses still need to go through a learning curve.
What Do Online Customer Reviews Say About Them?
Never skip this essential tip: always read the online customer reviews before hiring a cleaning service. Granted, you do need to take them with a grain of salt, but if you start seeing a trend, there’s a good chance it’s true. At the very least, online reviews provide insight into potential red flags to watch for.
Is the Pricing Transparent?
Part of what makes a company trustworthy is transparency. This is particularly true when it comes to pricing. The price provided online or over the phone as a quote should be what you pay. There shouldn’t be any hidden fees or surprises.
Beyond pricing transparency, it’s also important to discuss how customers pay. Today, it’s important to offer customers secure, easy payment options, especially when booking online or through mobile apps. Industries like entertainment and e-commerce have raised the bar in this respect. A secure phone payment at Casinos.com, for example, shows how even entertainment platforms are expected to offer trustworthy, efficient, and frictionless transactions. This should be no different with the cleaning company you are considering.
How Do You Make an Appointment?
Making an appointment should be quick and easy. In today’s digital age, there’s a good chance you can use an online booking tool. This means you don’t have to worry about calling during business hours and can avoid long hold times.
You can also ask the cleaning service how flexible their schedule is. How far in advance should you book? What happens if you need to cancel? Is there a cancellation fee or a required notice period?
Does the Cleaning Service Use Their Own Tools and Products?
Generally speaking, most cleaners use their tools and products, but that isn’t a given. It’s always best to ask in advance if you need to provide the cleaner with anything. For those who are sensitive to specific scents or chemicals, you’ll need to let the service know. In these cases, they may recommend that you provide the cleaner with the products you want them to use.
Cleaners typically bring their own tools like vacuums and mops, but it’s still wise to check. If they don’t, you might need to leave those items out for them.
This is also a great time to ask the cleaning service about how you can relay specific instructions to the cleaner. For example, maybe there is a room you don’t want them to go into, or items you don’t want them to clean.
How Does the Company Deal with Dissatisfied Customers?
No matter how hard the cleaners may work, sometimes there will be a homeowner who is unhappy with the service. It’s a good idea to ask the cleaning service how they respond to dissatisfied customers. Do they offer to return and fix the problem at no cost, or perhaps provide a discount on the original service? A trustworthy cleaning service should always prioritize customer satisfaction.
Is the Cleaning Service Insured in Case of Damage?
This next one is an incredibly important question to ask before hiring a service, but unfortunately, not all homeowners realize that. It’s always recommended that you ask a cleaning service if it has insurance. At the very least, it should have general liability insurance. This gives you peace of mind that should in case anything is accidentally damaged or broken in your home, the cleaning service can cover the costs through its insurance.
It’s not just broken items, though. This can also cover injuries to individuals—either to people in your home or to the cleaners themselves.
Finding the Right Cleaning Service Will Pay Off
Taking the time to research, ask the right questions, and learn what to look for in a cleaning service will pay off in the long run. These tips will help you find a reliable, trustworthy, and high-quality cleaning service to keep your home looking sparkling and fabulous.
