Should You Hire An Individual House Cleaner Or A Professional Cleaning Service?
Factors to consider when deciding who to hire to clean your home
Searching for the right cleaning company can be a little bit overwhelming. There are a lot of different choices available, ranging from one-person operations all the way up to major cleaning franchises. Our business, Buckets & Bows Maid Services, falls somewhere in the middle. As a local business, we have an excellent employee retention rate. In fact, many of our employees have been cleaning the same houses for years. Along with our skilled cleaners, we also have a small number of people who handle the administrative tasks associated with the business. This allows our cleaners to focus their attention on cleaning rather than dealing with paperwork.
There are advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of cleaning service. Ultimately, however, you should trust your instincts when deciding.
Typically, small, independent cleaners charge less than larger professional companies. Don’t be blinded by price alone, however. There are a lot of other things to take into consideration. If you choose your cleaner based solely on how much they charge, you may wind up sacrificing some of the benefits offered by other types of cleaners.
Along with the price, what other factors should you think about when deciding whether to go with an individual cleaner or a larger cleaning business?
Scheduling
Typically, large cleaning companies have a lot more flexibility than smaller independent cleaners when it comes to scheduling. People who clean on their own have limited time available. You may not be able to hire them for the day that you want if they are already booked. Larger companies, on the other hand, have more people available to handle the cleaning. As a result, they usually can do a better job of accommodating your schedule.
Dependable Service
If you work with an independent cleaner, your service may be disrupted if they get sick or experience other issues. For instance, if their car breaks down or if their child is sick, they may have to cancel your appointment. Even worse, they might suddenly decide to shut down their business, leaving you scrambling to try to find someone to replace them. Large, professional cleaning companies, on the other hand, have multiple workers available. That means that issues like car problems and illnesses are less likely to result in cancellations. As you weigh your options, consider how important it is to have a cleaning company that you can depend on to show up every time.
Insurance
Professional cleaning companies carry liability insurance. This type of insurance provides coverage for any damage or injuries that occur while they are cleaning your property. They also are bonded, which covers the cost of any items that are stolen or damaged. Learn more about what it means to be bonded and insured and why you should care.
Independent cleaners often skip buying insurance or becoming bonded. Working with them is much riskier from a financial standpoint. Before hiring either a solo cleaner or a larger professional company, talk to them about the protections that they have in place against accidents, damage, or theft. If you decide to hire someone who doesn’t have insurance and is not bonded, make sure you understand the risk you are taking. If the person cleaning your home sustains an injury, you may have to cover their medical costs. You also may be responsible for covering the cost of any damage, whether it involves your property or your belongings.
Trustworthy Employees
The people who work for professional cleaning companies typically have to pass a background check before being hired. They also undergo intensive training. If you hire an individual cleaner, on the other hand, you generally will have to ask them to give you a copy of their background check. Even though it can be a little uncomfortable to ask, most cleaners expect questions like these. After all, you are allowing them into your home. It is worth a little bit of embarrassment to ensure that you aren’t putting your belongings at risk.
Problem Handling & Accountability
If you hire a cleaning company, you can talk to someone at the office if you have a problem. With an independent cleaner, on the other hand, you have to talk to them face-to-face. This may be difficult if you are discussing an issue that has to do with their service. They also may be less likely to listen. Contacting someone at the office of a professional cleaning service, on the other hand, usually provides better results. You can talk to someone about the quality of the cleaning, the price of the service, or the dependability of the workers without feeling like you are criticizing someone directly to their face.
Personalized Service
Renee Angela Photography
Often times, people opt for individual cleaners because they have very specific cleaning needs. Most cleaning companies have a predetermined list of services, meaning that they may not be able to customize their service to your specific needs. One of the reasons why their services are generally more affordable is because they offer the same services to all of their clients. This is one area where you need to decide whether cost or customization is more important to you.
One option you may want to look into is finding a company that offers priority cleaning. With this option, you hire the cleaners for a specific amount of time. During that time, they focus on whatever problems you want addressed. For instance, if you need your kitchen and bathrooms cleaned, they will take on those projects first. Cleanings like these don’t fall into the regular service category. However, they are an affordable way to tackle dirty areas around your home.
When you contact a professional cleaning company, you can always ask if they are willing to customize their service. Ultimately, both independent cleaners and cleaning companies want to make their customers happy. In order for them to do that, they need to know what you want.
Although the cost of hiring a professional company to clean your home is usually a little bit higher than working with an individual cleaner, there are a lot of other benefits to enjoy. Professional companies typically offer high-quality service and superior dependability, making them an excellent choice.
