Tips and Tricks for Choosing the Right Cleaning Company for Your Home

Keeping a home clean can sometimes feel like a never ending job. You clean the kitchen, move on to the bathroom, tackle the floors and before you know it, something else needs attention.

For busy families, working parents, seniors or anyone who simply wants a little help around the house, hiring a cleaning company can be a lifesaver.

But here is the thing. You are inviting someone into your home, so choosing a cleaning company should involve more than simply picking the first name you find online.

You want someone dependable, professional and trustworthy. You also want to know exactly what you are paying for before the cleaning begins.

If you are thinking about bringing in some extra help, here are a few things to consider when choosing the right cleaning company for your home.

Start by Asking Around

Sometimes one of the best ways to find a good cleaning company is simply asking people you trust.

Talk to friends, relatives, coworkers or neighbors who use a cleaning service. Ask them who they use and, more importantly, whether they are happy with the service.

Online reviews can also help, but I would not make a decision based on star ratings alone.

Read what customers are actually saying.

Were the cleaners dependable? Did they arrive when expected? Was the company easy to communicate with? If there was a problem, did the company make an effort to resolve it?

Those details can tell you much more than a number beside a business name.

Talk to More Than One Cleaning Company

You do not have to hire the first company you call.

Speak with a few different cleaning services and compare what they offer.

One company may include bathrooms, floors, dusting and kitchen cleaning in its standard service while another may charge separately for certain tasks.

This is also a good opportunity to see how each company communicates with potential customers.

If you have trouble getting basic questions answered before you hire them, that may tell you something about what communication could be like later.

Find Out Exactly What Is Included

This is a big one.

Do not assume that a house cleaning means every inch of your home is going to be cleaned.

Ask exactly what is included in the service.

Will they vacuum and mop the floors? Clean the bathrooms? Dust furniture? Wipe down kitchen counters and appliances? Change bedding? Clean ceiling fans?

What about the inside of the refrigerator or oven?

Those deeper cleaning jobs may cost extra.

If there is something specific you want cleaned, mention it before you receive your final estimate.

It is much easier to discuss expectations beforehand than to discover afterward that something you expected was never part of the service.

Ask About Insurance and Bonding

Before allowing a cleaning service into your home, ask about the company’s insurance and whether it is bonded.

Accidents can happen even when someone is being careful.

A cleaner could accidentally break something or become injured while working in your home. You want to understand what protections the company has in place if something goes wrong.

Do not be afraid to ask questions about coverage.

A reputable company should be comfortable explaining its policies and providing appropriate documentation when requested.

Ask Who Will Be Coming Into Your Home

This is another question people sometimes forget to ask.

Will you have the same cleaner every visit or could someone different arrive each time?

Does the company use employees or independent contractors?

What type of screening or background checks does the company perform?

You should feel comfortable knowing who will have access to your home.

This becomes even more important if the cleaning service will be there while you are at work or away from the house.

Talk About Cleaning Products

Ask whether the cleaning company brings its own supplies or expects you to provide them.

If someone in your household is sensitive to fragrances or certain cleaning products, mention that before the first visit.

The same goes for households with children and pets.

You can also ask whether the company offers fragrance free products or products carrying certifications such as the EPA Safer Choice label.

The EPA’s Safer Choice program identifies products that meet its standards for ingredients, human health, environmental considerations and performance.

You can learn more about EPA Safer Choice products here.

You do not necessarily have to tell a professional cleaner which products to use, but you should feel comfortable discussing what will be used inside your home.

Ask About Pets

If you have pets, make sure the cleaning company knows about them.

Some pets are perfectly happy watching someone clean the house. Others may become nervous around unfamiliar people, vacuum cleaners and other equipment.

You may need to place your dog or cat in another room or make other arrangements while the cleaners are working.

Also let the company know if there are any areas where pets should not be allowed or doors that must remain closed.

Get a Clear Price Before the Cleaning Starts

Nobody wants a surprise bill.

Ask how the company determines its pricing and what is included in the quote.

Some cleaning companies may charge by the hour while others base prices on the size of the home, number of rooms or type of service.

A deep cleaning will usually involve more work than routine maintenance cleaning, so make sure you know which service you are purchasing.

Also ask about possible additional charges.

If you request the refrigerator, oven, windows or another special area to be cleaned, will that cost extra?

Get those answers before the work begins.

Cheapest Does Not Always Mean Best

Everyone likes saving money. I know I do.

But the lowest price is not always the best deal.

If one cleaning company is dramatically cheaper than everyone else, take a closer look at what is actually included.

You may discover that the cheaper service includes fewer tasks or does not provide some of the protections or services offered by another company.

Price matters, but so do reliability, trust and quality.

Put the Details in Writing

Once you decide on a company, make sure you understand the agreement.

The details should clearly explain what services will be performed, how often the cleaning will take place and what you will pay.

You should also understand the cancellation policy and whether there are fees for changing or canceling an appointment.

If the company offers recurring service, find out whether you are agreeing to a long term contract or whether you can stop the service whenever you choose.

Reading everything before agreeing can prevent misunderstandings later.

Secure Important Personal Items

Even when you trust the cleaning company you hire, it is a good idea to put away important personal items before cleaners arrive.

Secure jewelry, cash, financial documents, medications and other valuables or private information.

This is not about assuming someone is going to take something.

It simply makes sense to keep important belongings organized and protected whenever people are working inside your home.

Give the Company a Chance, But Pay Attention

The first cleaning can tell you quite a bit.

Was the cleaner on time?

Did the work match what you agreed upon?

Was your home treated respectfully?

Did the company communicate with you if something unexpected happened?

You do not have to inspect every surface with a magnifying glass, but you should feel that you received the service you paid for.

If something was missed, give the company an opportunity to address it. A good business should want to know when a customer has a legitimate concern.

A Good Cleaning Company Can Make Life Easier

There is nothing wrong with getting a little help around the house.

Sometimes our schedules are simply too busy. Other times we would rather spend those extra hours with family, working on another project or just enjoying some much needed downtime.

A dependable cleaning company can take one more thing off your weekly to do list.

Just take your time choosing one.

Ask questions, compare services, understand the price and make sure you feel comfortable with the people you are allowing into your home.

Once you find a cleaning company you trust, coming home to a freshly cleaned house can feel pretty darn good!

Note: Business registration, insurance, bonding and licensing requirements can vary depending on location and the services being performed. Consumers should verify applicable requirements in their state or local area before hiring a company.