There’s no better feeling than having a clean, tidy house.
Studies have shown that a clean home also comes with health benefits — keeping your home clean can alleviate stress, reduce the severity of allergies and asthma, and even improve sleep. [1]
However, many people simply don’t have the time to keep their house spic and span. One solution is seeking the help of a housekeeper. A good housekeeper can take a lot of the pressure off, but finding the right match takes a little effort.
Here are eight tips for finding a great housekeeper.
1. Ask for a Recommendation
One of the most effective ways to find a dependable housekeeper is by asking for a personal referral.
Talk to your friends, family, co-workers, or other acquaintances and see if they have a housekeeper they’ve worked with that they would recommend. You could even try asking at your job or a favorite local business, as many cleaning companies provide both residential and commercial services.
Getting a personal recommendation takes a lot of guesswork out of the process and can give you peace of mind that the person you’re hiring has already been vetted by someone you trust.
2. Do Your Research
Take some time to research a few individual housekeepers or companies that you’re considering hiring. Most cleaning companies are very informative about the services they offer, and you can find everything from price quotes to reviews from past clients online.
Doing your homework can provide you with answers to many of your questions without the need for an interview, which will save a lot of time in the long run.
3. Interview
It’s a common practice for homeowners to interview potential housekeepers before making a hiring decision. Interviews can be as simple as a short 15-minute conversation designed to help you get to know each candidate a little and get a better idea of the services they offer.
Topics you might ask about during an interview include:
- Work style
- Time parameters
- Preferred working hours
- Pricing
- Communication preferences
- Availability
- Cancellation policy
You can also ask candidates what kind of training they have and what sort of cleaning products they use. The latter point is important, as some cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that have been shown to contribute to allergies and respiratory illness. [2]
Following an interview, you should be able to determine whether the housekeeper has the kind of experience, knowledge, and personality that you’re looking for. You should also be able to determine whether they’re a good match in terms of services, availability, and pricing.
4. Ask for References
In addition to reading online reviews, it’s a good idea to ask for references. Most housekeepers will be happy to provide references upon request. Making a five-minute phone call to a current or former client can help assure you that the housekeeper you’re hiring is reliable and trustworthy.
There’s no better way to determine the quality of any professional than by talking to the people they’ve worked for. If a candidate doesn’t have references or is unwilling to provide them, take it as a red flag.
Ask each of your references to describe their general experience and level of satisfaction with the candidate, along with anything else they think you should know. Former clients are typically delighted to help by answering a few quick questions.
5. Ask About a Trial Period
Not every housekeeper will be a good match for every homeowner. Sometimes, work styles and schedules simply don’t match up. The best way to find a housekeeper that’s a good fit is through a trial period. It could be one visit or several weeks’ worth of cleaning, depending on what you and the housekeeper are comfortable with.
Trial periods aren’t uncommon in the housekeeping industry, and they often benefit the housekeeper as well as the homeowner.
If a housekeeper or their company insists on a long-term contract, it can lock you in whether you’re happy with their services or not. Required contracts are another red flag worth keeping an eye out for.
6. Ask About Insurance
Asking about insurance may seem overly formal when hiring a housekeeper, but it could prove to be incredibly important down the road. Both independent contractors and employees of housekeeping companies should carry up-to-date insurance policies for the services they provide.
Insurance coverage protects both the housekeeper and the homeowner in the event of an accident. Accidents may include falls, mishaps with equipment and appliances, and damage to household items.
When you hire an uninsured housekeeper, you’re taking on unnecessary risk, and you may find yourself in an unpleasant situation should an accident occur down the road.
7. Decide on a Payment Structure
Payment structure is one of the most important considerations when hiring a housekeeper. The most common payment structures are hourly rates and flat fees. Both structures have pros and cons.
Flat fees are more predictable and easier to plan for, but they can prompt some less scrupulous housekeepers to rush through their work.
By contrast, hourly rates take away the incentive to hurry but may create an opposing incentive to stretch out tasks so that they take more time. Hourly payment structures are also less consistent. You never know exactly how long the job might take, which makes it more difficult to plan and budget in advance.
As a middle ground, you can suggest an hourly rate with a cap to prevent excess hours that you didn’t plan for. Feel free to negotiate with your housekeeper to determine which payment structure is right for you both.
8. Set Clear Expectations
When you hire a housekeeper, you probably have certain ideas concerning what you’d like your home to look like. It’s important to communicate these ideas to your housekeeper so that everyone is on the same page. All homeowners have different preferences, and housekeepers can’t please them all without clear, upfront communication.
Finding a housekeeper can take a little work, but it can be well worth it in the end. By following these tips, you can ensure that you’re hiring a housekeeper that’s efficient, honest, and able to keep your house looking spotless.
References:
[1] https://www.doylestownhealth.org/blog/five-health-benefits-of-having-a-clean-home
[2] https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem