
HOT PROPERTY
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ASK BEFORE HIRING A HOUSE CLEANER
Besides
questioning a house cleaning service about rates and availability, there are other factors for consideration. Are background checks done on employees? Who supplies the cleaning products? Ask these questions
before hiring a house cleaning service.
Is Your CompanyInsured? If an employee accidentallybreaks something in your home, ahousecleaning companywith insurancecan file aclaim and reimburseyou. If theydon’t have insurance, youmay notreceive compensation.
HowManyYears Have YouBeen in Business? Acompanywith manyyears of serving a community can help youfeel moreconfident in hiring them.
Do YouRun Background Checks on Potential Hires? Wheneveryou allowstrangers
to work in your home, youmustbecareful. By vetting job seekers,acompanyacknowledges that theyunderstand your concerns and have thoroughlylooked into the backgrounds of their employees.
Do YouHave aCleaning Routine or Checklistfor Employees to Follow? Many pros have acertain routine that theyexpect their employees to follow, such as which rooms to clean first. Other companies may have written checklists to follow. Also, some companies provide supplies,and others may ask youtobuy the necessaryitems.
HowDoYou Gain Access to aHome if the Client Isn’tThere? Giving aset of keysto the cleaning serviceorleaving keys under the doormat arepopular.But they’re notthe most efficient or secureoptions.Ask the serviceif theyuse lockboxesasrealestate agents do. This way, the keyisinaboxthat can onlybe opened with aspecial code.
What’sIncluded in Your Rate? At Merry Maids,anational companythat provides residential cleaning services,the duties they provide areveryspecific, such as wet-wiping doors,door frames,doorknobs,and light switch plates to cleaning the interior and exterior of toilets.Whateververbal agreements aremadeshould be in awritten contractboth youand the servicer sign and date.
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House cleaners can be convenient and time-saving, but know what you’re signing up for. Photo courtesy of Content That Works