House Cleaner question??

nica · by **nica** on Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:12 pm

I am heading back to work in September after my maternity leave and I am looking for someone to clean my house once every other week. I got the name of someone good from my friend who also uses her. Apparently she has lots of experience and is bonded.

Is there anything else I need to know or should ask her?

rorysgals · by **rorysgals** on Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:23 pm

I am coming off my second mat leave, so am back in the same position as you!

Here is what I ask:

* Current references
* Whether they are bonded/insured.
* Years experience
* What type of experience. (I find the ones who have experience cleaning hotels, etc. tend to have the most "polish")
* Do they get paid by estimate or time, i.e. they said it would cost x to clean your house as per your agreement, or they clean for three hours and stop when done. (If the latter, you will probably want to start thinking about written instructions, so they know what is important to you that they must have completed within the agreed upon time frame)
* What happens if they do not have the agreed upon tasks completed? Complete them on their own dime? (I came home once and found my floors dirty but my closets reorganized. Not only was that contrary to my written instructions -- but ICK!)
* Prep time? Is it included in the overall time? If it takes them 30 mins to bring their stuff in, get organized, read instructions, etc., should that be included in the overall $$?
* Do they supply the cleaning supplies or you?
* Do they bring their own vacuum? Same as above? (Some will bring their own cleaning supplies but use your vacuum)
* Remaining time? What happens if they have remaining time on the clock? Look for extra things to do? Bank the time? (A group of us have all come home unexpectedly and found the cleaner gone early. In fact, most of us have let a cleaner go who was found to have done that repeatedly)

I am on my third service. One that was bonded/insured (at approx $35 hour), another that was a professional service (22.50 plus GST), and then an independent ($20/hr). Each one I have had to let go for a variety of reasons pertaining to the above.

Good luck!

nica · by **nica** on Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:13 pm

Thanks for the tips - now I have lots of questions for her!

soontobeasupamom · by **soontobeasupamom** on Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:27 pm

I would go with someone who if they didn't complete the task in a certain time and if they didn't it goes off their own time.
I've worked in hotel rooms before cleaning and all i say is we're trained to work fast yet get things done.Also give them a tour of your house a look before do project is must easier to estimate of how long it would do each room.I mean we had to finish a room in 10 minuites of cleaning some times 15 all matters how much exsperience they have so check up on that.

rorysgals · by **rorysgals** on Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:39 pm

I agree with soontobeasupamom (congrats and good luck by the way!

).

On occasion I have found; however, that the estimate of how much it woudl cost to clean your house may be padded just in case it takes longer than expected to complete the agreed upon tasks.

I think no matter which way you go, if you make sure you spell out exactly what you expect to have done, and if it isn't, you should be able to hold them accountable -- either by letting them go, or having them come back to correct. By the hourly method, you may have to work with them a bit to make sure your expectations are heard and understood, but ultimately, you should feel good about your money spent.

So that being said, I would add that the person you are considering letting into your home should not only be trustworthy, but be someone you feel you can communicate with.