Home cleaning services are a relief for those who have trouble maintaining their homes owing to different circumstances. Even though the decision to hire a cleaning service company seems like an easy one, the process of choosing one out of the many providers can be quite daunting.
Tips for choosing a reputed home cleaning service provider
Although the result of these services is a clean and well-organized home, the process that various home cleaning service companies undertake can vary. It is important to look at these processes and how it is done to ensure cleanliness, especially if there is an outbreak of illnesses in your region. There are various kinds of home cleaning services. This includes daily cleaning services, weekly deep clean services, and cleaning services that tackle specific cleaning needs. Here are some tips to help you narrow down on the best services for your needs.
- Do your homework
Researching the home cleaning service provider is the first thing to do. A quick online search can take you to the website of the brand and other portals where the services from the company in question would have been rated. Stay away from companies that have only bad reviews from past customers, as this may be a red flag about their performance. You can even ask family, friends, and colleagues if they use the service of the particular company you have zeroed in. Ask for their opinions about the home cleaning service provider if they are familiar with them. However, remember that some negative reviews may be blown out of proportion. This step is necessary, but it should not be the only one on which you base your decision.
A part of the research also includes finding out how long the company has been around and whether they have won any awards or recognition. Most often, companies would have a dedicated page for this on their websites or would mention it on the homepage itself. If you have the time, you can also look for their achievements.
- Meet a representative from the company
Once you have done thorough research and narrowed down your preferred home cleaning service provider, you can request a meeting with the relevant person from the company. If possible, try to get an interview with the staff that the company may send to clean your homes before sealing the deal with them. This will give you some idea about their professionalism and can even help you find the red flags. This is also a good way to analyze the nature and behavior of the person, and whether you can have a good rapport with them so that things work smoothly. Interviewing the staff can also help in understanding if there is any communication issue like language barriers, which may later pose a problem.
Additionally, you’ll have to find out about the cleaning supplies. Most companies use their products, some may need to be provided.
- Ask for insurance and proof of registration
Double-check whether the cleaning service professional or company that you intend to hire is insured and bonded. This is important, as companies or professionals that lack these criteria will require you to pay for medical bills in case of an accident or event resulting from working at your home. This also makes it easier to tackle theft or any damage to the house by the cleaning professional or company. Also, ask for basic information about the staff that will be visiting your home and get a background check done for ruling out any problems in the future. Good home cleaning service brands will have all the documents ready to prove that they are insured and bonded. Always verify the documents before sealing the deal.
- Ask for references
Another step that you can take before finalizing a home cleaning service provider is to ask for references and get in touch with them for an opinion about the company and its service. A good tip is to lean towards companies whose customers have used their services repeatedly. This indicates that the company provides valuable services, as it has managed to retain customers over a period.
- Inquire about the training of workers and the nature of the contract
Find out how the employees who do the cleaning in homes are trained and whether they are certified by any agency to do so. Also, check whether these employees are hired on a contract basis or as full-time workers. There is a difference in accountability in these categories in most of these cases. Full-time employees are provided with more benefits and may feel more responsible for providing high-quality services due to the high accountability to the employer.
- Review the range of services
Check what is the range of services provided by a specific company. You may want to look for a provider that offers customized services to suit your needs. This is a good feature to look out for in a home cleaning company, as sometimes some of your needs may not be covered in their cleaning packages, and they may charge you extra for anything more. This way you can be sure that you are paying for only what you need.
- Check on the guarantee
Ask the cleaning service company if there is any guarantee that they can offer about the claims they make. The best brands in this field will offer you this guarantee. Some companies may offer a complimentary cleaning service if the client is not happy and some may even offer refunds. It is a good indicator of the reliability of the company if they are willing to back their claims with a solid guarantee.
- Get it in writing
Finally, remember to get everything you discuss with the representatives of the company and the terms of services in writing, with the complete details. If there is any aspect that you are worried about and is not mentioned in writing, ask the company to add that as well. A good company will be open to discussing the terms. Companies may make verbal promises but may be reluctant to give you the assurance.
Apart from these tips, check if the provider requires you to do any tasks before the staff gets to your home. Ideally, you should not have to do any sort of arrangement or minimal cleaning before the staff reaches, as that is why you are hiring them.
Advantages of getting professional home cleaning services
There are several benefits you can enjoy when you hire a professional service provider to clean your home. Here are some of them:
- Helps save time
The biggest benefit of getting professional home cleaning services is that you can save a lot of time. These services can make a world of difference to those with hectic schedules or those with huge houses that cannot be managed alone. Families, where both parents are working or have kids, can opt for these services to ensure a clean and hygienic home. You may also find more time to spend with your family and get a chance to increase your productivity by outsourcing the job to professionals.
- Results in long-term savings
These cleaning services contribute to long-term savings. Unkept furniture and upholstery may require you to change them at short intervals. Things like carpets and rugs need professional cleaning or can end up looking dull, as dust and debris gather on it over time. Additionally, upholstery items like blinds, may also need attention as the quality may degrade over time. With home cleaning services, you can rest assured of keeping the house, the furniture, and your upholstery clean at all times, thereby increasing their durability and prolonging their life. - Results in clean air
If a house is cleaned on a regular basis, it leads to clean and germ-free indoor air. The presence of dust and other allergens can bring down the air quality and get circulated throughout the house through the HVAC systems. Regular cleaning services can help ensure that dust, pet hair, and other debris are removed. - Work by skilled professionals
Professional home cleaning service companies or professionals are equipped with all the right tools for ensuring a thorough cleaning. These professionals are also trained for the same. You may not get the same results and level of satisfaction without these services. - Results in an alluring visual appeal at all times
Another advantage of hiring home cleaning service professionals is that your home will always be ready for parties or surprise guest visits at all times. Cleaning service professionals hired on a daily basis ensure that every nook and corner is cleaned and maintained.
Disadvantages of hiring a home cleaning services provider
While there are not many disadvantages of hiring home cleaning services, you should know about a few of these to make an informed choice. One of them is that a good home cleaning service provider costs a significant amount and may not be suitable for those with a limited budget. Regular cleaning of the home gives a person complete access to each of the rooms. It may be difficult for those who have problems trusting a stranger, as the person cleaning the house is exposed to a lot of information. Additionally, one may also feel that they have lost touch with the different parts of their home or are not as aware of it as they used to be. There is also a security issue associated with such services. Instances of theft or robbery by the staff are not something unheard of, even if these are rare. This is a risk that one should be willing to take.
Keep these tips in mind while looking out for a provider. You can even opt for hiring someone to clean your homes privately without going through a cleaning agency. This is a cheaper option as compared to hiring a company. However, these individuals will not be equipped to offer deep cleaning services like companies. Additionally, you’ll have to ensure several provisions like insurance, benefits, and taxes are met. Also, professional cleaning services companies will be up to date with the latest cleaning supplies. You can also opt for daily cleaning services by a private house help and complement this with monthly or quarterly services from home cleaning companies.
A clean and tidy home contributes to increased productivity, good health, and overall well-being of the people living in it. Home cleaning services are ideal for all age groups, especially seniors who may not be able to maintain their home but can afford to hire such services. It is always a great feeling to come back to a clean and tidy home. It also leaves an excellent first impression to visitors and guests who are planning to stay with you for a few days. Irrespective of whether you hire a professional cleaning company or a domestic help privately, make sure that you interview at least three candidates. This can help you find the best fit for your needs.
