If you're like most modern homeowners, you work at least one full-time job outside of the home. Factor in your commute, social calendar, meal preparation, tidying, laundry, potential childcare and pet care, and you’re no doubt running yourself ragged. To take a major responsibility off your plate, you may wish to consider hiring a housekeeper or even a team of cleaners.
If you’re ready to consider hiring a house cleaner, we have created a complete guide that will take you from the vetting process to the etiquette around your ongoing working relationship with them.
If you’re feeling a bit anxious about someone entering your home and seeing your home in a raw state, don’t be. Remember that professional cleaners have seen it all before, and they’re here to help.
How to Vet a House Cleaner
The most reliable way to choose a trustworthy cleaning service is to ask your family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations. Use social media, including apps like Nextdoor, to ask people to share the names of house cleaners they have used and trusted for years.
Once you have a list of recommended cleaners, take it a step further and look up reviews online. Read positive reviews, of course, but look for the (hopefully rare) one-star review as well. While the reviewer could be in the wrong, what’s most important is the way the cleaner responds. You want to hire someone who will stay professional if you two ever do disagree or decide to part ways.
Interviewing a Housekeeper
Now that you have a list of highly rated housekeeping services, you’re ready to reach out to schedule meetings. Housekeepers will need to visit your home to assess your needs, the size of the job, and whether the two of you have compatible personalities.
This is also your opportunity to interview each house cleaner. We recommended asking the following questions, taking notes, and comparing the notes from each interview once you have met with each service provider.
Are you insured and bonded? Are your employees offered workers compensation?
This question is essential. You want the answer to be YES to protect you from liability in the event of an accident.
What does a standard cleaning service include?
You may have a preconceived idea of what a housekeeper does, but it’s essential to find out what tasks each cleaner performs weekly or bi-weekly as part of their standard cleaning package.
Would it be possible to schedule deep cleanings?
Several times per year, you may want to have your home deeply cleaned. Before holiday parties, at the beginning of spring, and after kids go back to school are examples of times when you find yourself in need of extra help.
These services will cost more, take longer, and will likely need to be scheduled in advance. Not all cleaners offer this option, so do ask.
Do You Work in Teams or Independently?
Some housekeepers are solo owners and providers, which means they won’t have anyone else to send when they themselves are ill, out of town, or dealing with a family emergency. This may not be a big concern for you but do consider that statistically they may miss up to one in four appointments. You will have to weigh out how that would affect you, especially if it should happen when you’re expecting company or hosting a party. If you are not willing to accept the risk of your cleaner cancelling at the last minute, it would be better to hire a company that can send substitute cleaners when necessary.
What will the fee be per cleaning?
Once you and the cleaner have agreed on the scope and nature of your regular cleanings, ask how much they will charge. Your first cleaning and any deep cleanings will be more expensive, but you will otherwise pay a set fee per cleaning.
This is also a good time to find out how you will be paying. Some cleaners only accept cash, while others will accept electronic payments.
Etiquette
If you grew up with housekeepers, you no doubt have experience with the standard expectations. If not, here are some general suggestions to get you started.
Your Pets Should be Confined
For their safety as well as your cleaner’s convenience, your pet should be in a secure, comfortable zone during cleanings. An office, crate, or seldom-used guest bathroom could all be acceptable, but you’re the one who knows what would help your pet feel secure.
You Should Be Out of the Way
Ideally, you can schedule cleaning services while you’re at work or at appointments. If you work from home, or can’t get away, be sure to stay out of their way as much as possible. Your home office or a back bedroom are good options, or you could hang out in your backyard if you don’t have a suitable indoor location.
Tidy Up, but Don’t Pre-Clean
Homeowners who are new to housekeeping services often wonder whether they need to clean their homes ahead of their housekeeper’s arrival. Your goal is just to ensure that your cleaner can easily clean as agreed without having to pick up after you. Clutter, clothing, pet toys, and children’s toys should be tidied completely, but doing more is not necessary.
The Takeaway
There’s no question that having help with the endless tasks of home ownership will make your life easier. If you’re someone who dreads spending your weekends and evenings scrubbing, mopping, and wiping down surfaces, then there’s a strong likelihood that the cost associated with housekeeping will be worth it for you!
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