Cleaning companies are fantastic in so many ways for homeowners. They come when you need them and can leave your home in spic-span condition. And since there are so many cleaners on the market, affordability isn’t an issue either.
However, due to the increasingly crowded market, it also means there are more bad apples than ever before. These companies provide mediocre cleaning results, overcharge and offer lousy customer service, or all of the above! It’s no surprise, then, that many people become overwhelmed in which one to go for.
So how do you find a reputable cleaning company near you?
Well, chances are if you picked the first cleaning professional on Google, they’d provide a great service. However, to get the best value for money and service, it pays to do your research. Trust me, you’ll save a lot of money and headaches just by doing your due diligence.
Here are some tips for finding a reputable cleaning company near you:
Family and Friends Typically Know Better
Back in the old days before the virtual world emerged, local contractors typically relied on word-of-mouth to get their business. One happy customer would then tell another about their professional cleaner and soon on. This is still true today, and this is why you should ask family, friends and colleagues for their recommendations.
Unlike online reviews that span only a couple of lines i.e “They did a great job and came on time”, your family and friends can provide more detailed insights about the cleaning company’s performance.
Questions you can find out include:
- What were the cleaner’s interpersonal skills like?
- Which cleaning tasks did they excel at?
- Do they accept special requests willingly or grudgingly?
- Are they careful with your belongings?
Remember, if you hire a regular cleaner, it’s best to be on good terms with each other to get the best out of them and vice versa. A family member will tell you their experience first-hand, leaving you with a better idea of the cleaner’s overall service.
Check Online Reviews to Better Gauge Cleaning Services
I really downplayed the importance of reviews earlier but if you want a general overview of a cleaning company, reading online reviews is a must. Besides looking at the stars and the number of upvotes, also read the comments to get a general feel of the company.
Since humans are emotional creatures, there will be the occasional hater and rager who misleads others with their information. If an opinion sounds too bad or good to be true, it probably is. There’s typically a middle ground in reviews so make sure you review the comment objectively.
Visit Multiple Online Sources
Homeadvisor, Yelp, Google and Angie’s list are all great resources for finding a reputable cleaner near you. But don’t just stick to one source. While Google is fantastic, many cleaning services don’t even have a website! Many rely on their social media or online contractor databases to get clients.
When searching online, be sure to check Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and the websites mentioned above. You’d be surprised at the number of hidden gems you can find! Furthermore, they may even offer their services at much lower prices if they’re relatively unknown.
Ask for a Trial Cleaning Session to Test the Cleaner’s Skills
Any cleaning company can talk a good game. But delivering the goods to your satisfaction is another story. You can ask for a sample cleaning session to test the professionals’ skills and see if they’re up to par with your expectations. If not, then you can simply run for the hills and find someone else.
Many people sign a long-term contract without having tested the cleaner’s skills, only to be sorely disappointed when they arrive. If your cleaning standards are particularly high, your cleaner should be willing to do their best.
Conduct a Quick Interview
If you’re choosing independant cleaners, instead of cleaning companies, then you’ll want to speak with your potential cleaner in person. You can ask them:
- What’s the most challenging job they’ve ever taken on?
- How do they deal with pets and children during the cleaning session? 2.
- Are they insured and are their services covered by a warranty? Check for general liability insurance as it covers contractor injuries and property damage.
- What supplies do they require (if any)?
- Can they come at a moment’s notice or do they need to be booked in advance?
Naturally, every question will be based on your home and unique circumstances. If you regularly host parties or business meetings out of the blue, you may want to consider a cleaner who can come during off-hours and quickly.
Furthemore, conducting interviews gives you a glimpse of what type of person you’re dealing with. If they were hesitant to answer questions, or were patronizing or rude during the interview process, then look elsewhere. In these scenarios, it’s best to trust your gut as it’s usually right.
Compare Quotes
You’ve narrowed your cleaning companies to a handful. Now, it’s time to compare their quotes and decide who provides the best value for money.
Typically, companies that offer competitive rates don’t compromise the quality of their services. However, you want to know why their prices are so low. Are they just starting out and offering discounts to get their first clients? Or do they just not have a lot of overhead costs? Maybe they cut corners and do a subpar job to justify their rates.
Regardless, the lowest price isn’t always the best deal. Once you’ve narrowed your list to two or three companies, compare their services and see which ones do it best. It’s usually worth paying a little extra for a great cleaner.
Conclusion
Finding the right company can be a little tedious if you follow all the steps in this article. However, by taking the time to do your due diligence and research the different options available, it’ll pay dividends in the form of a superior cleaning service and an overall better experience.
If you are pressed for time, just execute a few of the steps and ask for a trial run.
You’ll immediately be able to weed the good cleaners from the bad in no time at all. Good luck!
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