Many people find their homes too messy. This post offers steps to make the house cleaning task easier and more effective.
Keep reading!
Key Takeaways
- House cleaners focus on cleaning tasks like dusting and vacuuming, usually charging $25-$30 per hour or at least $75 per visit. Housekeepers do more, such as cooking and laundry.
- When hiring a cleaner, ask for references, what cleaning products they use, if they have insurance, and what their service includes. Insurance is key in case something breaks.
- Prepare your home for cleaners by clearing clutter and storing fragile items safely. You should also choose non-toxic supplies if you prefer specific products.
- Cleaners often charge between $120 and $235 per visit or $30 to $50 per hour. Prices can vary based on location, house size, cleanliness level, and whether pets are in the home.
- Good communication when hiring your cleaning company is important for a smooth relationship. Discuss changes or special requests early on. During COVID-19, making sure they follow health guidelines became even more crucial.
Understanding the Basics: House Cleaner vs. Housekeeper
Moving on from the introduction, there’s a key difference between a house cleaner and a housekeeper that you should know. A house cleaner focuses mainly on cleaning tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, and washing surfaces in your home.
They usually charge either per hour ($25-$30) or per visit (at least $75), depending on the job size and time it takes. On the other hand, a housekeeper does more than just clean. They may live in your home, helping with daily tasks like cooking, laundry, and even caring for pets or children.
The discussion about extra duties like pet care should happen before hiring.
Key Questions to Ask When Hiring a House Cleaner
When hiring a house cleaner, asking the right questions is key. Questions about their experience, cleaning products they use, and if they have insurance can lead you to make a smart choice.
Do you have references?
Asking a house cleaning service for references ensures they are reliable. Word-of-mouth is key. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and other review sites are good places to start.
Look for a cleaner with positive feedback from past employers. Ilana Berger emphasizes the value of sharing good referrals among parents, homeowners, and renters.
After checking references, find out what cleaning supplies they use. This leads to the next important question about their choice of products during their job.
What types of cleaning products do you use?
Cleaners use many types of products. Some prefer eco-friendly ones to keep the house safe. Others might need special cleaners for tough stains. If you want, you can ask your cleaner to use your own supplies.
The cost may go up if the cleaner brings their own products. Always check this before they start. Also, make sure they follow COVID-19 rules like using sanitizers and keeping windows open for fresh air.
What does a cleaning include?
A cleaning includes tasks like dusting, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors. Cleaners also wipe surfaces, clean bathrooms, take out trash, and change sheets and towels. For deep cleaning or extra jobs like washing windows or fridge cleaning, they charge more.
Homeowners should list what they want cleaned before the service starts. This agreement makes sure everyone knows which tasks are included for a set price.
Some people choose to have their house cleaned weekly, while others may pick bi-weekly or just once in a while. It’s good to think about having a one-time deep clean first. Then regular cleanings can keep the house tidy after that big job is done.
Are you insured if an item is broken?
Insurance matters a lot if something breaks. Cleaning companies usually have insurance. This means they can pay for damage or loss. Independent cleaners might not have this insurance.
It’s good to ask about it early on.
Talk to the cleaner about what happens if something gets damaged. Confirming they have liability insurance is smart. This kind of insurance can help cover costs if there’s an accident in your home.
Always check their proof of insurance and understand what it covers before starting work.
Preparing Your Home for a Cleaning Service
Getting your home ready for a cleaning service helps the process go smoothly. It ensures cleaners can focus on their work without obstacles.
- Clear clutter from floors and tables. This makes it easier to clean surfaces without moving too much around.
- Store fragile and sentimental items safely away. Avoid accidents with special belongings.
- Manage pets and children by keeping them in a different area. This prevents distractions during cleaning.
- Choose non-toxic supplies if you prefer specific cleaning products. Tell the cleaner about these preferences.
- Discuss special needs with your cleaner beforehand. Mention areas needing extra attention or special care.
- Schedule cleaning services ahead of time, especially during holidays or busy seasons. This guarantees your spot on the cleaner’s schedule.
Understanding the Cost: How Much Do House Cleaners Charge?
House cleaners often charge between $120 and $235 per visit. They also make between $30 and $50 per hour. Many things can change the price. These include where you live, how big your house is, how clean it is, who lives there, and if you have pets.
You should expect to pay a cleaner at least $75 for each time they come or between $25 and $30 for every hour they work. It’s fair to pay for at least three hours to cover their travel time.
Prices can be higher based on different needs. For heavy cleaning jobs, cleaners might ask for $50 to $75 an hour or total costs of up to $500 per session. On average, prepare to spend about $150 each time a cleaner visits your home.
Using this information helps plan your budget correctly.
Next, we talk about the importance of talking clearly with your cleaner.
Importance of Communication with Your Cleaner
Talking clearly with your cleaner makes everything better. You should look at the written agreement together after a few cleanings, and every year. If you need to change or cancel a cleaning, tell them ahead of time.
It’s fair to talk about and pay for cancellations not made up later. Meeting every so often helps you both share feedback.
You can also show thanks in many ways like giving holiday bonuses or raising their pay each year. This keeps everyone happy and on the same page.
Next, let’s discuss how cleaning services have changed since COVID-19 started.
The Role of Cleaning Services During COVID-19
Good communication with your cleaner became even more important during COVID-19. Cleaning services took on a big role to keep homes safe and healthy. They made sure to follow new rules about cleaning and health.
Cleaners learned how to clean better to stop the virus from spreading. They used strong cleaning products that could kill the virus on surfaces.
Cleaning companies also agreed on things like ventilation practices before they started their job. If someone got sick, cleaners needed to know right away. This way, they could protect themselves and others by not coming into the house.
Both sides talked about payment if an illness caused a cancelation of service.
Families and cleaners had talks about COVID-19 protocols before work started. This helped everyone stay safe while keeping houses clean during tough times.
Conclusion
Hiring a house cleaner makes life easier. It saves time and keeps your home clean. When you choose one, ask clear questions about their work. Make sure they use safe cleaning products and know what you want cleaned.
A written contract helps avoid surprises. Pay them well to show appreciation for their hard work. This step ensures a healthy relationship between homeowner and cleaner, making the process smooth for both sides.
Book cleaning services online with My Cleaning Angel now. It’s fast and easy, you get an instant quote, fill up the info and it’s done!
FAQs
1. What should I consider when hiring a house cleaner?
When hiring a house cleaner, it’s essential to check their background and if they have insurance. You can use trusted sites like bbb.org for reviews. Also, consider the commute time if you’re in specific locations like San Fernando Valley, CA.
2. How does the sharing-economy impact housecleaning services during COVID-19?
The sharing-economy has made outsourcing housekeeping tasks easier even during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, ensure proper safety measures are followed by employees for your protection.
3. What role does homeowner’s insurance play when employing a cleaning contractor?
Your homeowner’s insurance may cover damages caused by a cleaning contractor but confirm with your insurance agent first before signing any contract.
4. Can I expect additional fees such as cancellation or gratuity when hiring a house cleaner?
Yes, some cleaning services may charge extra fees like cancellation or require gratuity so ask about these upfront to manage your budget better.
5. Do companies offering housecleaning services collect my personal data online?
Some websites might use cookies to offer targeted advertising and personalization based on browser activity while logging in but this should be stated clearly in their privacy policy.
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