Navigating the world of professional house cleaning can be a daunting task. Whether you’re juggling a demanding job, raising a family, or simply trying to reclaim some precious ‘me’ time, the thought of delegating your house cleaning can be both liberating and, let’s be honest, a tad stressful. With so many services out there, how do you sift through the clutter and find the cleaning professionals that will cater to your specific needs and standards? It’s a lot like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
I’ve been in your shoes, wrestling with the same uncertainties. I understand the complexities from both sides of the coin. Now, I might be a tad biased, hoping you’ll consider my cleaning service, but what’s most important to me is empowering you to make the best decision for your home and your lifestyle. Whether you choose my business or another, I believe it’s about finding the right fit for your unique needs.
To help you on your journey, I’ve compiled a list of essential questions to ask when considering potential house cleaning services. These questions aim to demystify the selection process and provide you with the confidence that you’re making an informed decision. So, let’s dive in and transform this potentially daunting task into a smooth and stress-free process.
- What services do you specifically offer? – It’s important to clarify what tasks are included in their service.
- Are you licensed, insured, and bonded? – This is vital to protect your home from any potential damage.
- Do you perform background checks on your employees? – This ensures the safety of your home and family.
- Do you bring your own cleaning supplies and equipment? – Some companies bring their own supplies while others might expect you to provide them.
- How do you charge for your services – is it hourly or per job? – Understanding the pricing structure will help avoid any hidden costs.
- Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee? – It’s beneficial to know whether the company stands by its work.
- What type of training do your cleaners undergo? – This can give you a sense of the expertise and professionalism of the staff.
- How do you handle pets? – If you have pets, you’ll want to know how they’ll be treated and whether the cleaning products used are pet-friendly.
- What is your policy for canceling or rescheduling a cleaning appointment? – It’s essential to understand the flexibility and conditions for adjusting appointments.
- Do you use non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning solutions? – This is especially important if you have small children, pets, or people with allergies in your home. It also shows the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Now that we’ve equipped you with the right questions, I believe it’s only fair to give you an insight into how my own cleaning business, Clean Theory, stacks up to these crucial queries. By being transparent about our operations and processes, I hope to set a benchmark and perhaps make your decision-making process a little easier. So, let’s dive into how Clean Theory answers these key questions.
- What services do you specifically offer? – Currently, we offer Deep Cleaning, Move In/Out Cleaning, and Recurring Maintenance Cleaning. For any new client wishing to schedule recurring maintenance, we will require a more thorough Initial Clean for the first service. This is intended to bring your home to a baseline that can then be maintained at your chosen interval of either weekly, biweekly, or every four weeks.
- Are you licensed, insured, and bonded? – The State of Colorado does not currently require licensing for residential cleaning, however, our business is registered with the State of Colorado. We carry general liability, tools and equipment, and worker’s compensation insurance as well as surety bonding.
- Do you perform background checks on your employees? – Clean Theory only hires employees and does not send contractors to do the job. We run background checks on all potential new employees and will only hire those with a clean report.
- Do you bring your own cleaning supplies and equipment? – We supply all of the cleaning products and equipment. We are also happy to use your products or equipment if that is what you prefer.
- How do you charge for your services – is it hourly or per job? – All of our services are priced by the job, not by the hour. There may be times where we underestimate the work required to reach a satisfactory level of clean. In those cases, we will also discuss any estimated rates with you prior to moving forward. You will never encounter a surprise charge with Clean Theory. A few years ago, I found myself in a situation where I ended up paying double what I had anticipated for a move out cleaning. I didn’t understand that I was going to be charged by the hour and that it was going to take 10+ hours. I would never want any of my clients to find themselves in this situation.
- Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee? – Absolutely! We ask that you give us the opportunity to make it right by coming back and fixing our work. If you are still not satisfied at that point, we will refund all or part of your money. Your satisfaction with our work is of the utmost importance to us.
- What type of training do your cleaners undergo? – Each of our cleaning technicians has gone through two certifications: Professional House Cleaner and Perfect Maintenance Certifications. These ensure that our technicians understand the science behind cleaning and which solutions should or should not be used on certain surfaces. It also ensures that our technicians are effective and efficient in cleaning your home.
- How do you handle pets? – We adore pets and hope that they will grow to love us as well. If you have a pet that does not love us being in their territory or may be frightened by us or our loud vacuum, we ask that you keep them separated while we are there.
- What is your policy for canceling or rescheduling a cleaning appointment? – We understand that life happens and you may need to reschedule or cancel a service from time to time. We ask that you give us 24 hours notice when possible. There may be a cancellation fee for repeated cancellations that are inside the 24 hour window. We do ask that you reschedule with us if you or anyone in the household is sick with anything that may be contagious. This will ensure that our cleaning technicians remain healthy and are not spreading illness to other households.
- Do you use non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning solutions? – We use non-toxic cleaning supplies that are safe for you, your children, and your pets. It’s also important to us that our cleaning technicians are not breathing in toxic chemicals all day, every day. There may be tasks that could require the use of a more potent solution and we would discuss that with you in advance to ensure you approve.
By asking these essential questions, you equip yourself with the necessary information to find a cleaning service that’s just right for you. Whether you choose Clean Theory or another company, remember that you’re making a decision that helps you reclaim valuable time, provides a clean and healthy environment for your family, and adds to your overall quality of life. You’re taking a step towards more freedom, and that, in itself, is a significant decision worth celebrating. Happy hunting!