Hiring a cleaning service can be very confusing. For starters, there are way too many cleaning service providers to choose from. And as you can expect, not all of them run a professional business. Some of these companies are not even insured, which means they could damage your property, and they won’t be legally obligated to compensate you.
We also cannot ignore the simple fact that cleaning service providers usually end up accessing your valuable items. Whether it’s at home or at your business, the staff will have access to delicate items that could compromise your privacy and investment. This makes the process of hiring a cleaning service even more complicated.
Not to worry, though, because, in this review, I will share nine useful tips on how to identify and hire the right cleaning service for your property. Let’s get started:
1. Perform A Background Check
There are plenty of cleaning companies out there, so the first thing to do is narrow down your options. You can do this using various factors. For instance, you could check which company is available for the specific hours you want your premises to be cleaned.
Another option is to filter them according to their location. Maybe you want a company that’s near your property. Or you don’t mind hiring someone from a distance so long as they provide quality services. It’s really up to you.
Lastly, you could narrow down your list based on services provided and their rates. We’ll discuss both down below.
2. Determine What Cleaning Services You Want
Next, do a needs assessment to determine what kinds of services you want. Do you want a cleaning service to do everything from janitorial duties to window and carpet cleaning? Or are you looking for a specific service?
Cleaning companies provide different services, so knowing what you want will help you find the perfect provider.
Something else worth considering is whether you want to work with a company or an individual. Both options have their pros and cons. For instance, hiring a company takes the burden of screening cleaners off your shoulders. The company will do this for you. Companies also tend to be more reliable, plus they are usually insured. On the flip side, maintaining a personal relationship can be tough since you could receive a new cleaner almost every week or month.
Meanwhile, working with an individual helps you establish a personal relationship that could see you negotiate for additional services. The drawback is you have to do all the background checks yourself. You may also have to pay some federal and state taxes.
3. Ask For Referrals Or Recommendations From Your Friends
Personal recommendations can save you a lot of work when hiring a cleaning service. So speak to your friends and see whether they have any company or person they can recommend. Just tell them what you need so they can match you with the right person.
4. Check For Experience And Accreditation
Experience and accreditations tell you how reputable a company is. You can always rely on a company that has years of experience under its belt. Most importantly, you can trust a company that already has a reputation and affiliations to maintain.
If you are looking for a cleaning service for your business, check if the company has experience in your specific industry. This is particularly important for delicate businesses, e.g., clinics, IT premises, etc. If you click here, you will see that the healthcare sector requires more cleaning standards guided by CQC. So hire someone who already has the experience of handling such an environment to meet the set regulations and eliminate unnecessary risks.
5. Check If They Are Bonded And Insured
The best cleaning service will have no problem showing they are bonded and insured. And why is insurance important? It ensures the property is covered should the cleaner cause any damages.
The insurance should also cover the cleaner in case they get injured while on your property.
If you are hiring an individual instead of a company, check with your homeowner’s insurance provider to see whether the workers’ compensation is included. If it isn’t, add it. It will reduce your liability if the cleaner gets injured while in your home. It may also cover lost wages.
6. Check Cleaning Supplies
Will you be required to provide the cleaning supplies? Ask the company this question before hiring them. If they come with their own products, ask what types of supplies they use. Some would come with green cleaning supplies which are friendly to the environment but make sure they are good enough for the job.
Should you hire a company that brings their own supplies or provide these products yourself? It’s advisable to provide the cleaning supplies if possible. This will prevent cross-contamination. After all, you never know what type of dirt the mop was cleaning in someone else’s home.
7. Be Thorough In Your Interview
When you finally narrow down your list to say two options, do a thorough interview to determine whether they are a good fit or not. Conduct the interview like an HR would when hiring a cleaner. That means asking relevant questions that can help you gauge the cleaner’s overall expertise.
When hiring a big cleaning service, ask what types of screening procedures they undertake and whether they provide any form of training to the cleaners.
This is also the right time to get into the finer details of prices. That’s the next point.
8. Check The Rates
A reputable cleaning service provider is likely to charge you more than a smaller firm. An individual cleaner can charge even lower rates. However, you should not look for the lowest price. Neither should you pick the expensive option based on the assumption that they’ll do a better job.
You need to get into the details and understand how they are pricing their services. Then check their track record and see if the prices match their work.
9. Communicate Your Expectations Right Away
It’s good to write your expectations and discuss them with the cleaner from the first visit. Get into the nitty-gritty and tell them what you want. If you have had a bad experience with a previous cleaner, communicate the frustration to help the new hire serve you better.
Getting the expectations set from the first trip will help you build a more beneficial relationship with your cleaner.
Hiring a cleaning service gets easier once you know what to look for. So, create a checklist with the above tips and get started with the process right away.