Inviting friends and family over is a great way to unwind after a long work week. But it requires preparation. An important thing to do before calling anyone home is to ensure the space is clean. Due to busy work schedules, people often struggle to tidy the house and make it presentable. Luckily, many professional house cleaning services nearby can help with this job. That said, one must consider a few factors when hiring them.
Ask for referrals
An easy way to find a reliable house cleaner is to ask for referrals from family, friends, and colleagues. If someone has recently used the services of a cleaning company and was satisfied with the job, they will likely recommend the same company to others. Hiring such a service that is referred by someone else is always a good idea.
Search online
One can also look for house cleaners online by entering search terms like “professional house cleaning services near me” or “who can clean my house.” The search engine may sometimes personalize the results and show only those relevant to one’s area. Homeowners could use the details available online to pick the right professional for the job.
Read reviews and check ratings
After shortlisting a few cleaning companies, one can read customer reviews to determine the most suitable option. Once a cleaning project is complete, many customers leave ratings and reviews online with details about the company that was in charge, the quality of the work done, the time taken to complete the job, and the price. One can read these reviews and explore the ratings to determine if a particular house cleaner nearby is suitable.
Account for insurance
Home cleaning isn’t as simple as it looks. It comprises several tasks, like sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting. Performing these tasks requires moving things around, so there’s a good chance that something may break or get damaged. That’s why one should ensure the cleaning professional has insurance. An insurance policy will cover the cost of repairing or replacing a product if it breaks while cleaning the property.
Set a budget
When looking for professionals to clean a home, one should have a rough budget in mind. Doing so can help rule out options that are too expensive. But one must be flexible when setting a budget. Some companies, although expensive, use modern technology to finish the job quickly and provide quality services. If one hasn’t cleaned the home in a long time, it might be worth spending a little more and hiring such a company.
Ask for a detailed quote
One should ask for a detailed quote to ensure accuracy and maximum transparency in pricing. Before drawing up an estimate, the company may send an executive over to inspect the space and assess the amount of cleaning required. During this visit, homeowners should be open and let the professional know what is expected of them. Doing so will help avoid confusion and ensure both parties are on the same page. Many experts provide free estimates, but it is better to confirm this before the home inspection.
Compare prices
One should get at least three to four quotes from different home cleaning companies, compare them, and then decide which one to go with. But price should not be the only factor influencing one’s decision. Homeowners should also check whether the company offers the services required. Some companies may offer a lower price but not offer services like carpet cleaning and window cleaning. On the other hand, another company may charge a little more but include these services.
Check certifications
It is advisable to hire a home cleaning company that is certified and accredited by a regulatory organization. Reliable cleaning companies will likely have different certifications, such as safety and green cleaning certifications.
Ask questions
Before signing a contract with a home cleaning expert, one should clear all their doubts. The best way to do that is to contact an executive of the company and ask them as many questions as possible. One could inquire about the company’s experience, the type of equipment used for cleaning, estimated timelines for completing the project, etc. Homeowners can even inquire if the expert cleaning company conducts background checks on employees and if cleaning supplies are included or need to be paid for in addition to the labor fees.
Read the proposed job sheet
A home cleaning professional may draw up a job sheet comprising details of each task involved in the project. One should read the sheet carefully to understand the charges linked to every cleaning service. If a homeowner is unsure about various terms or pricing in the document, they should clarify it with the cleaning company before the professional initiates the job.
Ask about cancellation and flexibility
One’s plans may change at the last minute, even when it comes to something like home cleaning. So, it’s always better to be mindful of the cancellation policies and flexibility provided by the cleaning service professional. Some services might require an advance notice for cancellations or rescheduling, while others may charge a minimal fee. Having the details handy would help one recover some or all of their money, especially when one has already paid for services in advance.
