Steps to hire a Cleaning service in the greater Boston area, MA
If this is your first time selecting a home, office or aparment cleaning service, this is the page to answer your questions.
The process to select a cleaning service company (or individual) is very simple.
Step 1. Get in touch with the Cleaning Service company. It's important at this stage to verify that the company you are contacting have the following qualifications:
- The company is insured and bonded. You never know what might happen. If someone falls inside your home and that person is injured, You become liable.
- The company you are contacting has at least one representative who speaks English fluently. The miscommunications between you and someone with difficulties speaking English can cause you a lot of hassle.
- You can receive at least 3 references from satisfied current customers (not past).
- You make sure the same person (or team) will be cleaning your home.
Step 2. Schedule a time for a 10-minute FREE of charges visit. During this visit you show the person what you want cleaned. Depending on what is requested, the price can go up or down.
Basic cleaning in general, includes:
Dusting And Polish Furniture.
Wipe Down Cabinets.
Clean Up Every Corner.
Clean Inside Microwave.
Clean Kitchen Surfaces.
Clean Mirrors And Frames.
Clean Tubs, Sinks And Tiles.
Vacuuming And Mopping Floors.
All furniture dusted
Carpets and floors vacuumed
Clean & disinfect all the floors (washed)
Window sills wiped
Dust sills & ledges
Dust walls hangings
Cabinet fronts washed
Clean & Disinfect Toilets, tubs, sinks and showers
Sinks scrubbed and left shining
Toilets scrubbed inside and out
Tiles and chrome cleaned and left shining
Mirrors cleaned
Trash emptied
Some items are generally not part of the basic cleaning. For example, these items are usually done at extra charge:
- Clean Inside/Outside of oven
- Clean Inside of refrigerator
- Do the Dishes
- Fold Bedclothes
It's all a matter of negotiation at this point.
Step 3. It's important to mention that during this walk-through, that's when everything is agreed between you and the person you are hiring to do the cleaning service. How frequently you will need the cleaning service? At what time of the day?
The price will generally come down if the frequency in which you will get your home cleaned is high. A bi-weekly quote of $80 will come down to at least $65 weekly quote.
Decide whether you want to use a cleaning service or an individual housecleaner. Using a service costs more, but saves you legwork, and the supplies and equipment are included.
Ask friends for recommendations. Check local newspapers, job boards, the Yellow Pages and the Internet.
Call several prospective cleaners. Confirm that they'll do the required tasks (some won't do laundry, windows or dishes). Ask about experience, availability and rates. Find out if they're bonded and insured.
Research tax laws to determine whether you're required to pay taxes. A good place to start is with the Internal Revenue Service's Publication 926, "Household Employer's Tax Guide." If you do need to pay taxes, verify that the person is willing and able to have his or her wages reported.
Check three references before you hold interviews to verify the person's promptness, reliability and quality of work.
Meet prospective cleaners with stellar references to show them the specifics of the job and to get a sense of their personality and professionalism. Some housecleaners don't speak English well but have excellent cleaning skills. Communication will be important if you have allergies to certain cleaning products, or unique instructions about antiques, handmade rugs or other fragile items.
Ask specific questions to test a housecleaner's methods: "What do you use to clean hardwood floors?" "How would you remove these stains from my stove top?"
Determine how often the housecleaner will come. Some will do periodic deep cleaning while others need a weekly or biweekly schedule. If you plan to use the person part-time or full-time, discuss issues like paid holidays and sick days.
Hire the most promising person or team for a trial period with the understanding that if you're satisfied, you'll use them regularly.