Top 10 things to consider before hiring a house cleaner

Author: Sophia Kait

The decision to hire cleaners to clean your home for the first time can be a daunting task. First of all, you have to allow someone, perhaps a very strange person, to enter the most private areas of your home. These are the areas that you are likely to block when your closest friends come home, so letting someone see behind those closed doors may seem like a breach of privacy. Second, this person will see all the dirty laundry (literally) and you have to trust that he's not going to judge you for bad housekeeping skills. Third, you need to find someone you trust not to take (or break) your stuff. You want them to treat your home the way you treat it, so it takes time to find the right person to do that.

Although it's hard to get help from someone to clean up your home, it's also one of the best choices you can make. Below are 10 things to consider before hiring a house cleaner:

1. Plan ahead:

When you think about hiring cleaners to help clean your home, it’s important to think about the future. Most of the cleaners have regular clients who fill most of their schedule, so it may take a couple of days to get your first appointment. Everyone wants their house-cleaning activity on holidays, so cleaning workers often book weeks in advance. Mostly, the cleaning company receives phone calls during the week leading up to Thanksgiving or Christmas, and they know that people need help before they host big events. These holidays will fill up first, so if you know you're going to need help, start calling early to book your appointment!

2. Get recommendation:

Once you've decided what kind of cleaners you want to employ, it's time to get some recommendations. Try asking people you know if they've got a person or a company to recommend. Ideally, either someone in your circle is currently using a cleaner or has used one in the recent past that is highly recommended.

3. Search online sources:

If you can't get a good referral from people you know, it's time to get online. Google's quick search for "House cleaning (name of your city)" will give you a long list of websites that can help. You can also find a few possibilities by searching in classified ads. Once you find a person or company that you like, be sure to check Google Reviews to see what others in your area have to say about your company. Keep in mind that most people are quick to leave a review of their household cleaners unless they are very fascinated, mild to real disappointment, or financial issues. Four out of five stars are very popular with good home cleaners in Essendon. Most of the reviews should be four and five for real-life accountability.

4. Ask for references:

If the person or company you are looking to hire has no online reviews, ask them to provide some of the contact details of their client. Small businesses and independent cleaners may not have taken the time to set up online marketing, but they should have at least a few people who can tell you about the quality of the service they provide. If, for any reason, they are not willing to contact any of their clients, stay away. If they have a good working relationship with their clients, at least two people should be willing to confirm them.

5. Be clear in your communication:

This tip can be really difficult for some people. As I mentioned before, there are many different ways to clean a home, and every customer thinks his or her way is the right way. Some people think that floors should be vacuumed before cleaning because vacuuming can spark dust from floors that then settle on furniture. Some people want to wash their dishes and keep them away, while others cannot bear the idea of??a cleaner that touches the dishes and wants to stack dirty dishes in a clean sink.

6. Adjust your expectation:

It is possible that the person who cleans your house will not do as you expect. There's a good chance they’re working hard to try and satisfy you. If you can adjust your expectations and are willing to give honest reviews, you can make a good relationship with your home cleaner. Praise them for the things they've done well, then point out the things you want to do differently in the future.

7. Ask for a background check:

House cleaners can access your personal space, so you need to ensure that the cleaners that come to your home are trustworthy. Ask if the company performs background checks for its employees and whether the service maintains adequate liability insurance.

8. Ask for rates:

The cost of a professional cleaning service like vacate cleaning in Essendon depends on the services you request, the frequency of visits and the size of your home. Ask if they charge by the hour or by the project. Don't accept any estimate over the phone.

9. Interviewing the cleaners:

It is important to interview not only a representative of the cleaning company but also the actual person who is going to clean your home. You’re supposed to be comfortable with them, especially if they work while you're not at home. Ask if the same cleaner from the house cleaning company is going to be in your house every time.

10. Get the house ready:

Put all the jewelry and valuables away in a safe or a secret compartment. This will prevent them from stealing or being damaged. Also read out, how to clean: house cleaning tips for working moms.