How Do You Find a Good Housekeeper?
In the fast-paced world of today, everyone seems to be too busy to have time for house cleaning. Getting a housekeeper can provide you with the help you need to keep your house in great shape and order. Likewise, it is a practical and effective way for you to manage your time more efficiently. You can have more time to do the things you love and at the same time, have more energy to be with your family and friends.
With today’s modern age and technology, hiring a housekeeper shouldn’t be a problem, right? Just simply look it up on Google and start searching for a house cleaning service near you. Although this may seem easy, you can’t just hire any housekeeper. You need to find a housekeeper that is good and efficient as well as reliable and trustworthy to do the house cleaning job.
Choosing the right housekeeper should be a thoughtful and personal process because it involves letting a stranger full access to your home. Your home is a sanctuary. It is a place where your most precious memories and valuables reside. So aside from getting it tidied and cleaned, you must ensure that your home also stays safe and secure.
How to Find a Good Housekeeper?
🔹 Referrals and References
You can mostly get referrals through conversations or word of mouth. You may have a friend, a neighbor, or a family relative who can personally recommend an excellent cleaning company based on their first-hand experience. Another good way to start looking may be in the form of written references to the housekeeper from their former employers. Housekeepers with references can be a good sign.
🔹 Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
Hire a professional cleaning company that has taken the necessary steps to obtain the license to operate and secure their business. In addition to that, it may be best to go to a company that has bond and insurance coverage. A bonded and insured cleaning company gives you assurance and protection on your valuables and possessions from theft, damage, or any liability while the housekeepers are cleaning in your home.
🔹 Online Reviews and Ratings
Online reviews and ratings are essential to a company brand’s visibility and reliability. Social proof gives an impact on a customer’s decision-making and a company’s sales.
When finding a good cleaning company, take the time to browse through their website or their online ratings, reviews, and comments. Do not trouble yourself with the ones with terrible reviews. Similarly, be wary of the ones with all-perfect scores that may seem doubtful. Take each rating and reviews with a grain of salt, not everything you read can be true. Better go with the ones that have consistently high performance.
🔹 Awards, Accreditations, or Affiliations
Curious about the history of a cleaning company and for how long they are in business? You may want to know if the cleaning company has earned any kind of recognition, awards, accreditations, or affiliations with professional organizations for their great service. Having a good standing with their customers as well as in the Better Business Bureau can help boost a company’s integrity and reputation.
🔹 Cleaning Schedules
Professional housekeepers typically offer flexible cleaning schedules. House cleaning can be arranged on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or even one-time basis. Check for schedule availability and the length of time needed per house cleaning. A good housekeeper knows the importance of being punctual and always shows up on time.
🔹 Cleaning Services
Know the different types of cleaning services and their fees that would suit your budget and requirements. The cleaning services may include standard cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in cleaning, move-out cleaning, apartment cleaning, commercial cleaning, office cleaning, and many more. These types of services can usually be varied and specialized for your needs and lifestyle. Be sure that the company you hire can proficiently complete the work that you expect them to do.
🔹 Terms of Services
Apart from knowing the house cleaning services and schedules being offered, you should also learn about their company policy. Cleaning companies should clearly state their terms of service, inclusions, and exclusions to safeguard their clients.
Before hiring a house cleaning service, make sure to watch out for any late cancellation or change of service fees. Know more about their payment modes or on what arrangements that can be made when you are away during the cleaning schedule. It is better to prepare and plan ahead before booking a housekeeper.
🔹 Cleaning Skills and Supplies
A good housekeeper is generally well-trained and sufficiently knowledgeable about using the right cleaning supplies on the different kinds of surfaces. Some companies bring their own, while others require the homeowners to provide the cleaning agents. Most cleaning companies nowadays even offer environmentally friendly products.
In light of the current pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using disinfectant products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19. Moreover, knowing which cleaning and disinfecting products the company uses can assure your health and safety. This way you can avoid that specific cleaning agent that may trigger any allergies or sensitivities.
🔹 Professionalism and Trustworthiness
A good housekeeper has characteristics of being professional and is seasoned with experience and proper training to be qualified as a house cleaner expert. This professional housekeeper should also be someone whom you can trust and is dependable enough to care for your things and belongings. Furthermore, knowing that their company has done comprehensive background screens and checks on all their staff and employees can definitely give you peace of mind.
🔹 Attitude and Work Ethics
A housekeeper who possesses great qualities, a positive attitude, and strong work ethics are most likely to get hired. These significant values are good determinants of a person’s trait and character. Homeowners would be eager to get a housekeeper who is disciplined and dedicated to their work. They would want to be around cleaners who love what they do and are happy. Martin Seligman’s work in positive psychology finds that happy people tend to be more motivated, productive, and successful.
Finally, trust your instincts! Let it be your guide to help you decide on how comfortable and secure you are with a cleaning service. You can even meet the prospective housekeepers in person to determine whether they are the right fit for you. Make sure to ask insightful questions and be honest about your problems and concerns. Take the time to get to know them, and if you would consider having them to care for your home.
The importance of hiring a good housekeeper is to give you back your freedom, time, energy, and peace of mind - without you having to worry about the endless household chores and cleaning.
If you haven’t decided yet, there’s no need for you to look further. Sparkly Maid of North Shore is here for you! Call us now to get to know more about our friendly housekeepers and our sparkling cleaning services!