Hiring a cleaning company can be advantageous in various scenarios. They can get your home show-ready for the spring, or a special event. Whether you need a one-off clean or something more regular, it pays to do your research and find the right cleaning company for you.
So, why bother doing your research?
Well, not all cleaning companies are the same. The quality of service, reliability and price range can vary drastically between businesses. And if you’re in it for the long haul i.e monthly cleanings over one year or even several, then it’s even more important to find the right one.
Let’s go through what you can do to find the right cleaning company for you:
Determine What You Actually Need
We all love a home that’s sparkling clean from top to bottom, but do you really need a professional cleaner to make it happen?
When you do leap on hiring a pro, you need to know for sure what you want from a cleaning company. Are your carpets susceptible to dirt? If so, it may be worth getting them steam-cleaned regularly. Are you looking for heavy-duty deep cleans or something more lightweight?
This is especially the case for long-term services. If you sign a contract and they’re missing out on certain things that you want, then it’s not going to be a good experience.
Research Local Cleaning Professionals
Local contractors can be far more reliable than larger cleaning companies. First, they’re more likely to form personal relationships within the community. Two, they better understand the local area and will be able to give you better advice on the services that are best for your home.
Cleaners who primarily serve your area rely on word of mouth to build their reputation. As such, they’re more likely to be reliable and accountable. If you have a friend or relative who’s had a good experience with a local cleaner, then ask for their opinion.
Check for Your Cleaner’s Credentials
A professional cleaner must have three things: a license, insurance and experience.
A license is an essential requirement for a legitimate cleaning service. It shows that the professionals are qualified and legally entitled to carry out the work. And while you could hire a friend, you’re less likely to get a professional job.
Insurance is also important for the same reason. If a cleaner suffers bodily injury or damages your property in the cleaning process without insurance, you may be held accountable. This means you’ll have to foot the bill, whether it’d be to repair the furniture or to cover medical costs.
For insurance, make sure they have the following:
General Liability Insurance – Covers property damage or bodily injury to third parties.
Worker’s Compensation Insurance – This covers the cleaner in case of an injury while working on your property.
Lastly, experience is the equalizer that sets one cleaner apart from the other, especially if you need specialized work. If you had two cleaners with similar credentials and prices, then the more experienced one is probably worth hiring. Why? Because they’ll have a better understanding of the job and end up doing a better job.
Check for Reviews
No matter how qualified or experienced a cleaner is, it’s still no guarantee that’ll do a great job. In fact, many can perform poorly but you’d never know until you use their services. That’s why it’s essential to read reviews on the cleaning company.
You can find these online, either in Yelp, Google, Facebook or Angie’s List. See what people are saying. Find out what their track record is like, whether or not they accommodate personal requests and more. This way, you’ll get an overall feel for the cleaner and their services.
However, just be sure to check the source of certain reviews. Remember, reviews can be fabricated to boost the reputation of the cleaner. Try to stick with reviews from verified customers who had a genuine experience.
Be Wary of Signing Long-term Locked-in Contracts
Long-term deals are great. You get multiple cleaning visits for a fraction of the price, and you can relax knowing your home will be regularly cleaned.
However, be wary of locked-in contracts. This means you’re locked into it for a certain amount of time (typically a year), even if you no longer need the service or are unhappy. If, for any reason, your cleaner isn’t meeting your expectations, then you need to prove that to be able to break the contract without incurring fees or other penalties.
Furthermore, if your service is missing something that is important to you, be sure to ask up front. Don’t get stuck with something that isn’t good enough for your home.
Don’t Always Go for the Cheapest Option
When people look for any service, price is usually the primary factor. That’s understandable since we always want to save money when possible. This is especially true for a cleaning service, where many consider it a luxury.
However, cheaper can also mean lower quality. Sure, you could save a few bucks but if you need an actual professional job, then it’s best to go for the higher price. For example, if you’re preparing your home for a sale or special event, then it’s worth going for premium options. It could make the difference between a quick sale and a long wait.
However, beyond price, make sure to check their reviews, credentials, and insurance. As long as those check out, then you can be sure the cleaner is worth the price tag.
Conclusion
Finding the right cleaning company doesn’t have to be a struggle, but you’ll need to do the homework. Check for reviews, insurance credentials and experience; then compare prices. This way, you’ll be able to find the very best option available near you.
If you want to be extra cautious, feel free to conduct short interviews for your prospective cleaners. Ask them questions and get a feel for their capabilities. Any cleaning company, worth their salt, should have no issue with you doing this.
Good luck with choosing the right cleaner for your needs!
