I started a cleaning service company here in the lovely islands of The Bahamas back in 2017, it’s called Heavenly Scents Cleaning Service – who would have thought!? Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about this industry and I wanted to answer a question that I get asked a lot: How do I know which cleaning company to hire?
Hiring a House Cleaning Service
“Some men are so indoctrinated that they sincerely believe that other than cooking and cleaning the only thing that a woman can do better than them is being a woman.”
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Whether you want to hire a cleaning service to help you with a one-off task, an annual spring clean, or something on a more regular basis, there are a few things you need to inquire about before you make a decision.
Bringing someone in who isn’t part of a formal cleaning service company carries with it a multitude of risks. “But, it’s cheaper to hire an under-the-table cleaning lady for cash!” is something I often hear.
I always advise people to hire that cleaning lady if price is their main concern, and if things go well, keep her close. But, when things don’t go well, that’s when you bring in a professional cleaning service company.
For many people, hiring a house cleaning service is one of their big dreams. Finally, a professionally-cleaned house! Sure, it’s more expensive, but there are many, many benefits, you get from bringing in a professional company.
So, here are several things you should consider when you’re looking to hire a cleaning service company.
Get Referrals
There are cleaning services that are actually families – everyone plays a role in the business and the family does the work. Sometimes a family will run a cleaning business and have people who work for them.
If you decide you want a local family business to do your cleaning, here are some things to look for.
* Reputation
Does this family have a good reputation? Do they have references? Some of the best references are simply satisfied customers. If you know of a family cleaning service by word of mouth, that counts for quite a bit.
Are they reliable? Do they show up on time? Do they listen to instructions and respect your space?
* Who Does It?
Does the family do the work themselves, or do they send out others who work for them? You may find that it’s less expensive to hire the family directly; there’s no “middle man” cost.
* Liability Insurance
Find out if your homeowner’s insurance covers you in case someone has an accident while cleaning your home. Many family services don’t have their own insurance. It’s a good idea to make sure you’re covered one way or the other.
Does the company have the ability to cover the costs of any damage done to your home, any theft, or if an injury occurs on your property? If they don’t have this coverage, you could be on the hook for money, items stolen, property damaged, or an injured worker.
A company should be willing to tell you if they have this coverage and provide copies of their policies at your request.
Service Offerings
Does the company take requests or offer a fixed service? How detailed will they get? Depending on what you want to be done, inquire as to what level of service is offered.
If you can customize it and hire someone to come and tick a bunch of things off your to-do list, or if you just get the same service each visit irrespective of what you want to be done, or, if you can do a combination.
Companies offer a variety of options; none are right or wrong, you just need to find what suits your needs and your lifestyle.
So, whether you go with a family or not, it’s a good idea to determine what services you need and what services various cleaning businesses offer. Here are some of the services you may want to look for in a professional cleaning service.
* Move Service
If you are going to sell your house and move, your house needs to look like new. Some cleaning services offer this kind of deep cleaning, detailed service.
* Party Set-Up & Clean-Up
Are you looking for help in entertaining, or are you hosting a wedding, graduation party, or other event? You might want to look into cleaning services that will help you set up before and take down after the party, and to clean up everything afterward.
* Service Extras
Is the cleaning service you’re considering flexible, and do they offer extras? You may want things done like laundry folding, scooping the cat box, dishes, or letting the dog out. It may be harder to get these extras if you go with a large company; you might have more luck with a local proprietor.
Cleaning Supplies & Equipment
Ask if your service brings its own cleaning supplies or if you have to furnish them. This affects the overall cost for you, and makes you liable for maintaining machines like vacuums and steamers.
Do they use their own cleaning supplies and tools, or do you have to supply your own? Some cleaning companies require the clients to supply their own. Of course, they’ll be expected to help them determine exactly what they need.
They may also sell kits or provide them with a shopping list based on their specific requirements. I personally believe that a mop should be used in one house, or else the dirt from house A will make its way over to house B.
Further, each house has different needs; pets, people, finishes, etc. I’m a big proponent of using the right products and tools on each surface, and I believe it is better to provide your own to reduce and minimize cross-contamination and potential harm to surfaces.
Regularity
How often do you want your cleaning service to come in? You might only need them one time, or you might prefer to set up something weekly or monthly. Check on this when you are looking for your cleaning service.
Green Options
For many homes, green cleaning options are essential. Find out if the service you’re considering has chemical-free cleaning options.
Conclusion
Hiring a professional cleaning service will give you a clean home and a healthy environment. The stressful routine may not allow you enough time for cleaning the house. Hiring professional services to accomplish the same may turn out to be a big relief. The added bonus is avoiding cleaning mistakes, having peace of mind and less stress.
Professional cleaners use their own cleaning products and use non-toxic products. They come to your house fully equipped to clean with top-quality products and commercial vacuums.
However, if requested and provided, professional cleaning services may clean with the client’s preferred products depending on the chemicals.
Our house cleaning services in The Bahamas leaves your place as neat as a pin, leaving no crud behind. You’ll receive a warm welcome from your clean home when you come back after a long day at work.
So, if you have been on the fence about whether or not you should work with a professional cleaning company, this list should help. Now that you have a better understanding of the benefits that these companies provide, you most likely will want to schedule a time to have your home cleaned right away.
So, call us right now, and we’ll leave your place spotless from top to bottom!
