What You Need to Know about
Hiring a Cleaner
As many of you know, I got my start in this business by cleaning homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a result, I have had the opportunity to give countless estimates for new clients looking to hire a house cleaner. As a result, I know that this process can be fraught with confusion for many of you. If you want to avoid miscommunication and to ensure that you are hiring the best cleaner for your home and family, it's important that you follow a straight-forward process. Here are six tips to get you started on interviewing a cleaner.
1. Request an in-person interview.
Some cleaners might be willing to offer you a quote for cleaning your home over the phone, based on the square footage and number of rooms. Don't agree to this! It may save you a few minutes at the outset, but in the long run, it will cost you in time and money. You want the cleaner to have an accurate sense of your home -- what kind of floors your have, how many children you have and whether you have pets. You also want that face-to-face interaction so you can better assess the cleaner's personality, style and approach.
2. Ask whether the company is bonded, licensed and insured.
While not every reputable company will carry these policies, most do -- even small companies - and two-person businesses. You may decide you feel comfortable hiring a cleaner who doesn't have bonding and liability insurance, but gather all the data before you make that choice. The primary benefit for clients of hiring a bonded and insured cleaner is that your assets are protected if anything should happen to your property or to the cleaner when they are on your property. Don't forget to ask for proof of insurance -- a reputable company will be happy to show you copies.
3. Beyond asking about bonding and insurance, there are a number of question you should ask at any interview.
Be sure to allow enough time to ask them all, and don't allow yourself to feel rushed. Here are some key questions:
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How long have they been in business?
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Who will be responsible for providing the cleaning supplies and equipment?
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If they provide the supplies, what products do they use?
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What is their cancellation policy?
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Do they require a written contract and what does that contract obligate you to?
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Do they have a set list of duties they will perform each week, or do they take instruction from you?
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Are they willing to deep clean one or more rooms as part of the weekly cleaning or does that require a separate appointment?
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What happens if your regularly scheduled cleaning appointment falls on a federal holiday? When will your appointment be rescheduled?
4. Ask for references to verify that everything the company has told you in the estimate process is accurate. Don't feel awkward about asking for references -- it doesn't mean you aren't trusting. It just means you are doing your due diligence. A reputable company will have no problem sharing references with you.
5. Ensure that the company will pay all taxes and unemployment insurance on its cleaners.
If you hire an individual rather than a company, you may need to withhold social security taxes. Be sure to clarify this point before you begin working together so that you do not fall into the trap of doing something illegal.
6. Find out whom will be cleaning your home.
The original estimate may be given by the owner of the company, but that isn't necessarily the person(s) who will come to your home week after week. Will it be the same team of individuals or a rotating group? Will you have a chance to meet these individuals before making a decision? And, most importantly, how do you feel about the answers to these questions? Listen to your gut on this, as with any decision that involves inviting people into your home -- especially when you may not be there to observe them at work.
Have you hired a cleaning company or an individual cleaner? What questions were most important for you in determining that this person was a good fit for your cleaning needs? Send me your thoughts and suggestions to
jeff@thecleanteam.com.
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