Hiring a professional cleaner can bring a sense of relief, but only when you have done your homework. When hiring a cleaner to do all of your housekeeping tasks, there are plenty of important things to consider.
Here’s what you must know before hiring a professional cleaner.
1. Do you really need help?
Determine what you need when it comes to household help. If you battle with clutter, you may be better served by a home organizer. If you have trouble with special projects such as spring cleaning, you may only need seasonal help.
But if you want to significantly cut down cleaning time or you do not have enough time to clean your home regularly, then a professional cleaner is the way to go.
2. Decide on an Hourly Rate or a Flat Fee
Among the crucial things to decide when hiring a professional cleaner is if you are going to pay a flat fee or by the hour. If you choose to pay a flat rate, the cleaners may rush through their work. If you pay by the hour, the cleaners might stretch out jobs so they can take more time.
Getting several quotes from different cleaning teams is a way to fairly discern what type of arrangement will work best. This way, you will know how much they charge along with the included services.
Bear in mind that it is not always a good idea for you to choose the cheapest team. Rather, choose whoever you think can provide you with the highest quality cleaning services.
3. Should You Hire Individual Workers or a Cleaning Company
Legitimate cleaning companies often take care of issues like references, insurance, and taxes. Also, they already have a team of people which can be beneficial if you need the cleaning done fast. Independent or individual cleaners, on the other hand, may mean more paperwork for you but you can also expect to receive personalized attention to detail.
4. Ask For Referrals
Choosing a professional cleaner is similar to selecting the best doctor for you and your family.
If you are worried about the safety of your belongings, look for reputable house cleaners that have references for you to contact. Asking your family and friends for referrals is the best place to start. Ask them if they have tried anyone who delivered great cleaning services, or if they know anyone. Keep searching until you become comfortable with the information you have gathered.
5. Agree on a Trial Period
Once you have found the best cleaners for your home, it is a good idea for you to start with a trial period of at least a month. This will give them time to adjust to your expectations. This will also give you an opportunity to assess their capability to clean your house. If you are not satisfied after a few visits, then find another service provider.
A great thing about using a professional cleaning service is that they have several people who may work out well for your cleaning needs. You can try out different cleaners until you find one that is perfect for you. Remember that some cleaning companies offer a feature that allows you to look into the schedule of your preferred cleaner so you can book accordingly.
6. Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries
It is crucial for you to set a clear idea of what your cleaner will and won’t do in your home. Create a list of the chores they must do, along with specific instructions. You must negotiate these things before any cleaning begins.
Moreover, set boundaries about what should not be happening in your home. For instance, if you do not want them to touch or use your stereo, computer or telephone, make sure to highlight such boundaries before work begins.
When hiring a professional cleaning time, there are plenty of companies or individuals to choose from that it can be difficult to know whom to hire. But being aware of the above-mentioned considerations before hiring professional cleaners can help you choose the best professional cleaners for your home.
AUTHOR BIO
Mohamed Samad is the Founder & CEO of Matic Services. He started the company in 2016 after a series of small start-ups within the home services sector. Prior to that, Mohamed was Vice President at Greenstone Equity Partners, where he spent 24 months building the UAE business from 2011-2013 with its founder.
