We all have busy lives and don’t always have time to keep our home spick and span. Luckily, there’s an easy solution for those who are short on time – hire a cleaner! However, it’s not as simple as just hiring the first cleaner you see. They will be responsible for you valued possessions, so you want to find someone you can trust. You also want a cleaner who is responsible and efficient.
So, “how can I find a house cleaner near me?”, you may be wondering. In this blog, we’ll discuss what to look for in a cleaner, red flags to avoid, and how to determine the cost of house cleaning.
What to do before you hire a house cleaner
Set reasonable expectations
It’s normal to want to get the best service for a reasonable price but it’s also important to set your expectations. Clients who expect cheap prices and high-quality cleaners may have to adjust their expectations and make sure they have a reasonable budget for what they want. Quality always costs a little more, but the likelihood is that it’ll be worth it when you come back to a nicely cleaned house!
Similarly, a good cleaner should be able to understand your expectations and ask questions to get more detail. They may ask important questions such as:
- What kind of flooring do you have at home?
- Are there any sensitive materials at home e.g. marble counters?
- Do you have any pets?
- Are there any spots you want extra attention?
- Do you have any questions for them?
Make sure that you’re prepared to answer these questions and consider what you may want to ask them in return.
Make suitable arrangements for any pets
If you have any pets at home, it’s important that you make suitable arrangements for them. This may include keeping them outside while the cleaning takes place or arranging for them to be out of the house during this time. Keep in mind that the loud cleaning noises may cause distress for your pet and their presence may also get in the way of the cleaning process.
Check if they supply their own products
A good cleaner will come equipped with all the necessary supplies and equipment to clean your home. They will also be open to using any unique products and equipment in your home if requested.
Check if they have public liability insurance
Insurance protects both you and the cleaner if anything is damaged in your home. If something is damaged, the cleaner’s insurance will cover any costs. If the cleaner does not have insurance, they can still be held responsible but may not have enough money to practically cover the expenses. It can help give you peace of mind knowing that you a protected in case anything goes wrong.
Ask if they offer secure payment gateways
Established cleaning businesses will often offer multiple payment methods for your convenience. These methods may range from Paypal, debit card, credit cards, or cash. Check if they have a privacy policy offering additional protection of your information.
Do your research
Make sure to pay attention to a cleaner’s reviews when you are making a decision. A quality cleaner should be able to provide plenty of reviews from satisfied customers. If they can’t provide reviews or testimonials from past customers, it can mean a couple of things:
- They are new to the cleaning business and don’t have any customers yet. This doesn’t have to be a negative thing – as long as they can demonstrate their ability to provide quality cleaning services with a full guarantee.
- They haven’t arranged any customer reviews – maybe they are too lazy and cut corners, which doesn’t bode well for the quality of their service.
- They are not very good at their job and don’t have any satisfied customers who are willing to give a recommendation. In this case, it’s best to steer clear.
Get a quote in writing
If they don’t clearly state their prices, get a quote in writing. This will ensure that you’re both on the same page in knowing what’s covered and what’s not.
What to avoid when choosing professional cleaning services
Although there are plenty of reputable cleaning companies who offer great service, you should also be wary of possible scams. Here are some of the key red flags that will help you avoid disappointment.
Avoid choosing a cleaner based on cheap price
It’s tempting to go with the best price you can find, but this isn’t always the best idea. The adage is true, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. It’s best to avoid cleaners that offer an unbelievably low price. There are two common problems that arise with cleaners that offer prices that seem too good to be true:
- They don’t have the correct equipment or experience to clean your place properly. They might end up doing only half a job and leaving you unsatisfied with your cleaning experience.
- Their advertised price is their “foot in the door” price. You may find yourself with a bunch of other fees and charges if you want proper home cleaning services.
Avoid choosing a cleaner that doesn’t offer a money back guarantee
If you come across a cleaning service that doesn’t offer any guarantees on their service, it’s best to keep looking. Reputable cleaning businesses should offer some type of guarantee on their service, whether it be a guarantee against damage or a guarantee that you’ll get your money back if you’re not completely satisfied with the job done. Before you choose a cleaner, it’s important to enquire about their guarantee and refund policy.
Avoid choosing a cleaner that is unresponsive
If the cleaner often takes a full day to reply to your messages and doesn’t seem willing to prioritise your needs, this may be a red flag. After all, you need someone who can communicate quickly and effectively in case any problems should arise.
What should I look for in good house cleaning services?
Now that we’ve discussed some of the things you should avoid, let’s talk about how you can find a good cleaner!
Start with a wishlist of tasks
Start out by creating a list of priority tasks that you want to be done. These may be tasks that you’re keen to wave goodbye to. It’s important that you’re clear with tasks that you need help with, whether they be bathroom cleaning, decluttering, or anything in between. If you’re not clear about what you want your cleaner to do, it will only cause communication issues down the road.
Know what questions to ask your cleaner
Making your own enquiries can help give you the peace of mind that you’re choosing the right cleaning services. A good cleaner should be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Some important enquiries you may want to make could be about:
- The cleaner’s experience
- Their insurance
- What happens if they are unwell or on holiday
Speak up if you’re unhappy
If a cleaner does something in a way you don’t like, there is nothing wrong with politely pointing it out and suggesting an alternate way of doing things. Being clear in your communication can save you frustration down the road.
Communicate your preferences to your cleaner
Don’t be afraid to let your cleaner know if there is a specific way you like things done. The likelihood is that they’ll be grateful for your input because it will help them understand what you expect them to do. It can be helpful to be home for your first clean so you can show the cleaner around and point out anything important. Keep in mind that it’ll take the cleaner time to get accustomed to your preferred way of doing things, so give them time and patience.
How much should I pay a cleaner?
How much you should pay a cleaner depends on several factors. For example, if you live in New South Wales, you should expect to pay an average of $35 an hour. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory has a higher average cost of $37.50 an hour.
The lowest hourly rates in the country belong to Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland at $30 an hour. So if you’re looking for cleaning services in Sydney, you’ll likely pay slightly more than cleaning services in Melbourne.
The cost of cleaning will also depend on your type of residence. Cleaning companies can only give you an accurate quote if they know the size of your home. If you don’t know the exact square footage of your home, it’s best to find out so you can give this information to the cleaning company. The number of rooms that require cleaning is another important piece of information which will help to determine cost.
You should also consider how often you need the service. Usually, there are options for weekly, fortnightly, or monthly appointments. You can also book a one-off cleaning appointment or spring cleaning. The frequency of which you require the service is important in determining the price. You may also be able to save a significant amount for routine cleaning as companies are often willing to charge less for repeat business.
Conclusion
Finding a cleaner isn’t as simple as hiring the first one you find, it’s important to do your research to ensure you find a reputable company that can meet your needs. By considering the points discussed in this blog, you’ll be well in your way to finding a cleaner who can make your house shine – and make your life easier!
