If you think hiring a housecleaner to tend to your home on a regular basis is more of a luxury than a necessity – think again. Today, cleaners help keep homes spotless, healthier (more cleaning, less germs), organized, and clutter-free. All this adds up to less stress and much more time for you to enjoy with family and friends. In short, hiring a housecleaner is often well worth the expense. 

It’s important, however, to do some research and lay some ground rules before hiring a cleaning company. For example, if you’re committed to green living, you’ll want to make sure the products your housecleaner uses are eco-friendly. And always check references. 

Here’s what to do before you hire a cleaning company: 

Independent…or not?
One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is whether to hire an independent housecleaner or go with a bigger company. The benefits of hiring someone with a sole proprietorship can include scheduling flexibility and the chance to customize so that your specific cleaning needs are met. Sometimes, but not always, independent housekeepers are less expensive. 

You’ll want to make sure that whoever you choose is fully bonded and insured. A benefit to hiring a cleaning company is that they’ve already done the vetting of their employees, so you can be confident you can trust whoever you end up hiring. 

Get referrals
Make sure to ask people you know for referrals when shopping around for a housecleaning company. Check review websites, ask friends and family, or ask for referrals on websites like nextdoor.com. 

Establish a payment method
Some housecleaners bill by the hour while others charge a flat fee. Cleaning companies may have monthly or even yearly contract options. Make sure you understand how you’ll be charged and how you’ll be required to pay before you sign on the dotted line. 

Conduct interviews
It’s important to know who is going to be coming to your home on a regular basis. Before you put your trust in someone who will have access to nearly every room in your house, get to know them a bit first. 

Ask them how long they’ve been cleaning houses, what they enjoy about their job, and about their work philosophy. Check references and do a thorough background check as well. Note: larger cleaning companies usually do background checks of all their employees first, so ask before you do one on your own. 

Establish tasks
Vacuuming, sweeping, mopping floors. Some things are a given when it comes to housekeeper’s tasks. Others, like doing the laundry, are not. Make sure to go over all that you want the housekeeper to clean so that there are clear expectations. And remember: your cleaner may not be legally allowed to perform tasks that could put their safety at risk, like climbing on a ladder to clean lighting fixtures. 

Know what to expect
This goes for you – and your housekeeper, too. They should know what they are required to clean, where to park, and when and how they will be paid, for example. Let them know if there are house rules for them to follow as well. For example, will they be allowed to use your home phone, listen to the stereo, or watch television while they work? Set boundaries early to avoid uncomfortable conversations. 

A great housekeeper can keep your custom home looking beautiful, but when it comes to building a custom home in the first place, that’s us. Give the team at Classic Living Homes a call to learn more.