How to Find a Good House Cleaner

Having a stranger come into your home is never a comfortable idea.  If you're looking to hire a house cleaner, especially if you plan to be away while they work, how can you make sure to find somebody who is professional, honest, and trustworthy? Read these suggestions before you make your decision!...

Here are our suggestions to find a housekeeper, and to make sure you can trust them!

First, how to find one...

• If your neighbors, friends, or family use a housekeeping service, ask them for the company's contact info.  This way, you can ask your friend about the company's quality of work, pricing, and reliability. If your friend is happy with the service, likely you will be too!
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce, Business Association, or Better Business Bureau.  These non-profit organizations can direct you to members who provide the services you are looking for in your town.
• Use a website like HomeAdvisor or Thumbtack to be connected with local pros who have been approved by the website.  When using these websites you will often be contacted by 3 or 4 local companies ready to give you a quote for the services you've requested. 
• Use Amazon. The e-commerce giant recently began a new program offering home and business services.  Just like you would use Amazon to purchase your cleaning supplies, now you can use it to purchase a House Cleaning package in which a local pro will come provide maid service at your home.

Now...how do you know if you can really trust the company you've found?

• Meet the service provider in person before you hire him/her.  You should like the person who will be cleaning your home!
• Make sure that the company is properly bonded and insured. What does that actually mean for you as a homeowner? A surety bond will cover any theft or dishonest acts. When a company holds a surety bond, it means they are committed to being trustworthy. Liability insurance covers any accidental damage to your home or property as a result of the cleaning. So if an expensive vase gets knocked over by a vacuum and shatters, the company's liability insurance will pay you damages.  If the company you've found is not bonded and insured, it should be a major red flag for you.
• See if the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.  A BBB accreditation is a sign of commitment to customer service. You can also see if the BBB has a record of complaints filed against the company, whether the company is accredited or not.​

Once you're confident that you've found a good housecleaner, hire them and try to be home for the first cleaning.  If you're happy with the work they do, schedule your next cleaning and relax!