If you have decided to hire a maid-service, there are a few things you should know, and ask about, before choosing a company to provide for your housekeeping needs. Knowing about the following five things when hiring a maid-service will ensure that you have a good experience and are satisfied with your results:
Bonding: This means that the company providing the maid-service also provides certain protections for its clients in the case of a theft or other occurrence. Many companies provide protection for themselves in case of a law suit, so make sure that you will also be covered if one of the employees robs you or damages your valuables.
Insurance: This means the company provides and pays for medical care if the housecleaning professional slips and falls, or sustains other injuries, on your property. It is very important for you not to be held responsible in the case of injury, as it could result in thousands of dollars from your own pocket for medical care.
References: How long has the company been in business? How many satisfied clients does it have? Talking to friends who have had maid-service before is an excellent idea. The company should be able to provide you with legitimate references and a way in which they measure the quality of their service.
Cleaning Products: Often a company will expect you to provide the cleaning products. If they don’t, you may need to know what kind of products they use. Are they using harsh chemicals? Are the products safe for kids and pets? Let the company know if you have a dog or cat that drinks from the toilet so you can protect your pets.
Equipment: Like cleaning products, you want to know if you should provide the vacuum, mop and scrub brush, or if the maid-service will supply those things for you. Do you want the carpet shampooed? Will they bring their own shampooer, or should you rent one before hand? Write down the specific services you want provided so you know what equipment you may need to have available when the house cleaner arrives.
Asking about these five basic things should get you off to a good start with any maid-service. Often a maid-service will provide hourly, weekly, or monthly rates based on your needs and preferences. The price of specific services will vary based on where you live and general wages for your area.
Don’t hesitate to ask many questions and negotiate all the terms before agreeing on a service. A company should be willing to provide answers to all questions, references, information about cleaning products, and information about what protections they have in place and are willing to provide for you, the consumer.
If you follow these basic guidelines, you will not only have an excellent idea of what you are getting, you will enjoy quality service and peace of mind. You should know you and your family are protected before hiring a maid-service.
