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Select the Right Cleaning Company for You By Mary Findley
copyright@2005 All rights reserved worldwide
People from all walks of life are turning towards outside help
when it comes to cleaning their home: A young family actively
involved with their children's activities; both partners working
long hours; frequent travel or perhaps there is a preference
simply to enjoy life rather than cleaning up after it.
Whatever the reason, the decision has been made to have your
home professionally cleaned and the search begins to find the
right company. The approach is much like looking for a new car.
You begin reading consumer reports; you talk with friends; then
determine what you can afford and a model to suit your
lifestyle. By the time you reach the car lot you have a good
idea of the color, style and model that is right for you.
Choose a company wisely: Selecting a company to clean and care
for your home involves much the same process. Grab a clipboard,
paper and pen and start taking notes. This initial exercise will
guide you in your selection of a company as well as the kind of
service that best suits your home and life style.
First the decisions:
● What will your budget allow? Cleaning fees can run $40
and up depending on your location, size of home and your family
situation. If your budget is a tight, plan on an every other
week cleaning. ● Walk through your home jotting down notes
of any problem areas. If the dog or cat is prone to accidents or
toilet leaks cause water stains the company must know. Water
that is either hard or contains iron can be problematic. The
type of cleaners used as well as the ability to thoroughly clean
your home depends on a company being informed of these details.
● Other than the general cleaning like dusting, mopping,
vacuuming, kitchen, and bathrooms what other areas do you want
cleaned. Do you have a laundry room or miniblinds? What about
cobwebs and ceiling fans? Do you want the sheets on your bed
changed? List everything that you do not want cleaned with every
visit then prioritize the list.
Begin Your Search: A personal reference from a friend is the
best way to find a company. Friends have generally hired and
possibly fired a few companies and can help with your selection.
Janitorial supply companies are another avenue. Call several
until you hear the same name repeated a couple of times.
When you search the newspaper or yellow pages, look for ads
that reflect the type of service that suits both you and your
home. Are you looking for a company that follows a set schedule
or one that gives a more personal touch? The ideal company
combines both to offer you’re a set schedule and the flexibility
to adapt that schedule when needed.
The Initial Call: Revert back to the days of your childhood when
your inquisitive mind asked all kinds of questions. Those
questions and subsequent answers or lack of them, will direct
you to the right company.
*Note: A company will not be able to give you a firm bid over
the phone. The final cost for the cleaning depends on the size
of your home, pets, children and amount of furnishings among
other things.
Here are a few sample questions to ask. Base your questions on
the information you gathered in the above exercise. 1.Do they
clean once a week or will they come every other week? Do they
clean for special occasions like a wedding? Special occasions
will come up and you may need them to clean. 2.Are they bonded
and insured? Insured means they are covered in case of damage to
your property. Bonded protects you should anything in your home
turn up missing. 3.Do they charge by the job or by the hour? If
they charge by the job ask how long they typically spend in a
home your size. One person can not thoroughly clean a 2400
square foot home in two hours. 4.What do they cover during each
visit? Do they include "extras" like dusting cobwebs and
cleaning smudged windows? 5.Do they bring their own equipment?
This is preferable but let them know you want to approve the
cleaners they use and to bring a list with them to the initial
meeting. Make certain they use products with the green seal
approval or do not contain harmful chemicals. Toxic chemical
buildup in a home or office building is now being credited as a
cause for some types of cancer, adult onset asthma and many
other ailments. Be prepared to supply your own cleaners if
necessary. 6.Does the owner do the cleaning or do they hire
employees? 7.If they hire employees, does the owner or a trainer
come with the employee for the first two or three cleanings? A
full day is usually necessary the first cleaning. It is
important to have a fully trained person assisting the employee
to clean difficult areas such as hard water rings in toilets and
soap residue buildup in showers. 8.If they send employees to
clean your home will you be assigned a permanent cleaning
person? It takes several cleanings to become familiar with the
layout of a home. Once a cleaning professional becomes familiar
with the home, cleaning speed increases making it possible to
schedule in extra jobs like ceiling fan blades. You do not want
a new person cleaning your home every visit.
Tune In: Listen closely to their answers. Did they take time to
fully answer your questions or pressure you for a home visit? If
you felt like the person was pressuring you into a home visit,
call another company.
Salespeople know that possession means ownership. Professional
pitch people at home shows and fairs are infamous for this
maneuver. At the end of their pitch, they hand you the object
giving you "ownership." Your wallet comes out and you end up
with another garage sale item. Once a service person enters your
home they are counting on you feeling that same "ownership." You
are not obligated to hire them and should have a minimum of two
preferably three interviews arranged. The exception would be if
the company comes highly recommended from a friend or family
member.
The appointment: It is important to inform the company about any
problems you have in your home. They may be able to offer a
solution. Keeping problems from them could result in further
damage. Further, it prevents them from thoroughly cleaning your
home, which results in disappointment with their service.
Here are a few topics to review with a potential cleaning firm
during the walk through: ● Clarify the specific areas they
regularly clean. You should receive a written paper listing
these details. Jot down other chores like miniblinds that they
clean on a rotating basis without an additional charge. Refer
back to your notes from the first exercise to make sure you
cover your priorities. ● If they have employees who do the
actual cleaning, does the owner or trainer check their work on a
regular basis? Request that the same individual be sent each
time. ● Are they willing to exchange dusting/vacuuming
infrequently used rooms like unused bedrooms and formal rooms or
skip changing bed sheets to cover other small chores like
windows and baseboards? Infrequently used rooms like formal
dining/living rooms or guest bedrooms generally can be cleaned
once a month. Should you opt to change your own bed sheets this
frees a bit of their time to tend to your priorities. ● Do
they clean more tedious areas like a chandelier or strip and wax
a floor? Do they apply wood conditioner to cabinets and
furniture? How do they clean and condition leather or vinyl
furniture? What do they do about pet hair on furniture? ●
Review what furniture they will pull out for vacuuming. Do not
expect anyone to move heavy furniture. ● As you walk
through your home point out items they are not to clean like oil
paintings or valued antiques. These items are best cleaned by
you to prevent any possible damage. Also review any furniture or
decorative items requiring specific cleaning instructions like
glass table tops or figurines. Hand them specific care
instructions and leave those out each time they come.
The little things do count: Watch to see if the person checks
the little things like closing a bedroom door in search of dust
bunnies. They should raise the toilet seat making note of water
ring marks then run a fingernail along shower walls to determine
the extent of soap buildup.
Do they check walls for fingerprints and the ceiling for
cobwebs? Have you discussed the kids and pets? In the kitchen a
top rate professional opens the microwave, refrigerator and
dishwasher then pulls out small appliances like coffee pots and
toasters. Attention to detail on the walk through, means that
same attention to detail will be paid during the cleaning.
Discuss in depth the care of your hard floor surfaces. These
surfaces are often ruined by well intentioned cleaning personnel
because they lack product knowledge. Review the floor guide at
http://goclean.com/floorcareguide.htm for proper floor care. Do
not assume the cleaning company knows how to properly care for a
floor. Insist your floors be cleaned according to your
specifications. Once damage is done, the only remedy is usually
an expensive one.
The same holds true for the dusting and care of furniture. Make
certain they use only 100% cotton products to dust. If you have
leather or vinyl furniture supply your own cleaner to prevent
the leather cracking. Wood furniture needs conditioning at least
once a year. Most importantly make sure they do not clean any
part of your home with microfiber except windows or mirrors.
Now enjoy a cleaning free day!
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