7 Tips on How to Hire Professional Home Cleaners

by Martin Moran Project Management Consultant

Time is short and cleaning isn't a lot of fun. After a long week at work and busy days with the family, cleaning is one of the last ways you want to spend your free time with. If your desire is to keep your home clean and tidy, consider hiring a professional cleaning company for the job.

If you have the means to hire professionals, I definitely recommend it. I started hiring such services last year as a special occasion treat but after I realized how much I like it and how much free time I have - I decided to use it on a regular basis. Along the way I've picked up some tips on how to hire a professional and how to have a successful relationship with your cleaning contractor.

Get References

As with most other services, word of mouth is your best option. Ask friends, family, neighbors and co-workers for referrals. My house cleaner also cleaned one of my old offices and my boss' house. Because my experience with her at work, I felt very comfortable letting her into my house.

Do a Little Research

Whether or not you are given a direct reference, research the cleaning company online. Check out reviews from other customers and make sure there are no secret stories or particular employees to stay away from.

Independent Cleaner or a Company

Some homeowners prefer to use the services of independent cleaners and don't worry about any strangers in their homes. However, using a large scale cleaning company has its benefits like liability coverage, a larger staff to accommodate your schedule, staff variety if you'd prefer to have the same person each time and potentially lower rates.

Price Rates

Make sure to find out if the service charges hourly or at a flat rate. If it's a flat rate, find out what's included in the service. If it's hourly, be sure to get a quote on the typical time needed and what is included in the average cleaning session. Find out how much special services cost, if you need any. If your house cleaner does a particularly good job, let them know and express your gratitude at the end of the session.

Find Specialists When Needed

Decide if you need a specific type of cleaner. If you're looking for a green cleaning service, you'll have to seek out companies that specialize in it. Or you can simply provide your cleaners with the specific products you want used in your house.

Communicate With Your Cleaners

Be sure to provide any important information about trash service, pets, building codes, etc. If you have any special requests or if there's an area that needs deep cleaning or special attention, don't feel bad about it and just ask. If there is something you want your cleaner to change in their cleaning process, tell them early on. If a piece of furniture has specific cleaning instructions, don't forget to let them know. Of course, if there's something they did particularly well that you appreciated - tell them, they'd be happy to know.

Clean Before They Clean

Your house cleaner is not your organizer. Make sure to put things away, pick up, file and generally tidy up so the cleaners can do their job. If things are left out, it'll be harder for them to clean surfaces and you risk them putting stuff where you might not be able to find later.