Never Hired a Cleaner Before? It could be quite overwhelming when you want to hire a professional cleaner but have never done it before. Where to start from, what to look out for, how to build your expectations? These are all valid questions. Not to mention, there is a lot of confusion on the market, created by inexperienced solo cleaners and sore competitors. As always, we like to be of help and thought a simple guide might help you in the process of hiring your first professional cleaner.
Where to Start From
It is best to look for a local company that covers your postcode. The easiest way to do that is going on Google and typing “domestic cleaners near me”, for example. If you need a different type of service, put that in your search quote. If they are local, there is less possibility of delays as the cleaners know the area and won’t be slowed down much by traffic.
Also, choose a company that has experience and business insurance. This is important as it will protect you against any damages or theft.
What to Know Before You Book
Many people, especially those who are booking a cleaning service for the first time, make the mistake of requesting less hours than the job really requires. The best way to avoid that error is to ask the cleaning company how long it would take to do the job. Most reputable companies have a minimum booking requirement anyway and they would come to the property to assess what needs to be done, as well as the time it will take.
How to Build Your Expectations
It is normal for someone who’s never had a cleaner before to have a bit of unrealistic expectations. However, don’t make your lack of experience an excuse. Here are a few key points:
● YOU NEED TO DO A BIT OF TIDYING UP AHEAD OF THE CLEANERS
Yes, you are booking a cleaning service, which means that you won’t be cleaning yourself. For best results, however, and to minimise the working time, professional cleaners always recommend that you tidy up before they arrive. This means, just clear the floor and other surfaces from clothes and toys. It’s not too much of a hassle.
● YOU WILL ONLY GET THE CLEANING SERVICE YOU BOOKED FOR
It is essential to know exactly what you need when you are booking a cleaning service. For example, if you need your oven cleaned, but you have only booked for domestic cleaning, you shouldn’t expect to get it as “part of the deal”. It isn’t. Make sure you go through the service page on the cleaning company’s website to understand what is included in each service. Or simply ask when you speak to them. If you need any extras, you need to book them too.
● PAYMENT IS PER HOUR PER CLEANER
This is one commonly raised issue with a lot of new clients. Some people get very confused when they get quoted 6 hours for a service, but two cleaners come to the property and they finish in half the time. Actually, that’s perfectly accurate. Two cleaners worked for 3 hours, which makes 6 hours in total. If it was a single cleaner, it would have taken them the exact number of hours you were quoted for. So, payment is per hour per cleaner.
Things to Tell Your Cleaner
Apart from any specific requirements you may have for the cleaning of your property, you also need to let the cleaners know some additional details if they apply.
● DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
It is important to let the cleaning company know if there is a pet in the property when booking a service. This will help them send an employee, who does not have an allergy or fear of animals. It will also help them choose the right cleaning products to use during the service and make sure they are not harmful to your pet.
● DO YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES?
The cleaners need to know if you or anyone in your household have allergies before they commence the job. Nowadays many cleaning companies use eco-friendly products, but in some cases they still contain allergens. The professionals may also be able to offer you a service that will benefit your health, such as steam cleaning.
Never Hired a Cleaner Before? If you still have questions about hiring a cleaner, why don’t you give us a call? We are friendly and always happy to help anyone who may be interested in our services.