Hiring a Maid Service for Your Home
Tips on Choosing a Safe and Reliable Company or Individual
A good maid service is actually not that hard to find. There are hundreds of maid services out there who do a great job at keeping your home clean. How do you know which ones are safe and reliable? You hear all the stories about how the maid never showed up. Then there is the issue of trusting a stranger in your home, probably alone in your home while you are at work. The following tips should help you feel comfortable with the company you choose to contract.
Safety is the Number One Priority
If you have children or pets, safety is a big concern. Choose a maid service that does not use any chemicals to clean. Make sure they are "Green Clean" certified. To make sure you are hiring a "green" maid service ask the following questions during your initial interview:
- Does the company use cleaning solutions that are certified by Green Seal?
- Do they use multi-level filtration closed canister vacuums for better air quality?
- Does the maid get formal training?
Maid Brigade is the first national maid service company to become "Green Clean" certified. They are located in 33 states, Washington, D.C., as well as Canada and Ireland. There are many other companies that have this certification as well.
Another factor when it comes to safety is that you are leaving your most prized possessions in a vulnerable position when you trust a maid to come into your home and clean. Make sure that the company you are using has references, and verify them. Too often homeowners will get references, but never follow through on them. When talking to the references find out:
- How long they have used the maid and the maid service?
- Have they ever needed to make a complaint?
- Would you recommend the maid service wholeheartedly? Why or why not?
Ask the maid service if they perform criminal background checks on their employees. Find out if the maids are employees of the company or subcontractors. A maid service that uses subcontractors will generally not provide any training, and there may not be any standard for quality.
Finding a Maid Service that is Reliable
Most maid service companies will give free estimates in your home. First figure out exactly what you need done and how often, either once a week, twice a month, or monthly. Once you know have this information, make sure you write it down, and it gets included in the contract that you sign with the company you choose.
You will no doubt spend good hard-earned money on a maid service. They don't come cheap. Make sure the company that you choose is bonded and insured. This will not only protect your home from theft, but will protect the maid in case of injury.
Liability insurance is important too, as accidents can certainly occur in this line of work. Your homeowners insurance may not cover an accident. The maid service's insurance policy should not only cover the maid, but your home and the company. Also find out if the company has Workmens Compensation for their employees.
The maid should come with all of her own cleaning supplies. There should be no reason that you have to provide anything for using a service, especially anything that requires you to pay out-of-pocket. Read the fine print before signing a contract to make sure this is included.
Ask the company if the work is guaranteed. Find out what the company's procedure is for quality assurance. How is the quality of service measured and verified? If you are paying for quality service, make sure you are getting it.
Finding a Maid Service in Your Area
You can look in the Yellow Pages or online for a reputable maid service. Newspaper ads are another source for finding a maid service. This can be a good source, so long as you take the precautions listed above to make sure you are dealing with a reputable company. And, of course, if you have friends or family that use this type of service, you can use the same company that they know and trust.
Good maid service is out there; you just have to be diligent and look for the one you are most comfortable with. Ask lots of questions until you are satisfied. Once you find a perfect match, you will be so happy that your house can look fresh and clean, and you didn't have to lift a finger to get it that way.
Choosing a Maid Service
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