The Major Differences Between Hiring A Professional Cleaning Company Versus An Independent Cleaner?
Factors to consider when deciding who to hire to clean your home
If you have just started searching for a prospective cleaning company to hire, you may be surprised by the number of different options available to you, ranging from an independent solo cleaner who works out of the trunk of his or her car to well-known large franchises. Then there is our company. Buckets & Bows Maid Service is a professional, locally-owned cleaning company with long-term employees, many who clean the same homes every week for the same families, who are supported by a small number of administrative staff who help to free up the time of the cleaners so they can do what they can do best: clean our clients homes. There are advantages to each business model, but the most important consideration is which one is best for you and your needs.
In some situations, you may receive a lower price from an independent cleaner compared to the one you may receive from professional services. If the price is the only factor that you consider for your hiring decision, then it might be the most attractive option for you. However, there are a number of important factors that should be considered, and the trade-offs that you must make if you only focus on price needs to be evaluated.
So, in addition to price, what other critical factors need to be considered when making your decision between a solo independent cleaner and a larger service?
Flexibility of schedule
If there is a specific day of the week that you would like to have your cleaning done on, a solo cleaner might not be available and you might need to just accept their next available opening. If you really like this specific cleaner, you might be willing to settle a day that is less desirable. However, if there is just one day of the week that works well for you, then usually a larger company will have more flexibility since they have more workers available who can fit into the schedule that is the most convenient for you and your schedule.
Reliability
Whenever you have a solo cleaner, your cleaning will not occur if anything happens to the cleaner. Needing to care for a child who is sick, illness, and car problems are just a couple of the numerous reasons why a solo cleaner may not be able to clean your house at a specific time. Also, your independent cleaner may make the decision to go out of business and stop cleaning. You will then need to find another cleaning person to clean your home. A professional cleaning service is better equipped to deal with car problems, sick days, and other issues, and it is much more likely for them to have backup cleaners that can take your regular cleaner’s place when they are not available. Whenever you are attempting to decide between hiring a professional cleaning company or an independent cleaner, you need to decide how important it is to have a reliable cleaner before making your final decision on who to hire.
Bonded and Insured
Professional cleaning services are all registered companies. They carry liability insurance in order to protect you against being responsible for accidents that occur on your property (such as a cleaner getting hurt after slipping in the shower in your bathroom) and these companies are bonded in order to cover any damage or theft that might take place.
People who work on their own often are lacking in basic legal requirements, and that can put you and your property at risk. Always make sure you ask how a cleaning company or independent cleaner you are considering hiring would deal with an accident that occurred in your house and what their policy is for protecting you against breakage or theft. Understand the risks you are accepting when you hire someone who is not bonded and insured. You might be held financially responsible for a cleaner who is injured on your property and you might not be compensated for your broken or damaged keepsakes and belongings.
Background checks & training protocols
Whenever you hire a professional cleaning company, they do the working in locating good cleaners, and most likely also weeks of training and background checks. Make sure you ask the cleaning company that you are considering hiring how their employees are vetted or ask an independent cleaner to supply their background check. Individuals who do not have anything to hide and who take their work seriously are not upset or insulted by these questions. You are providing access to your home to this person, so safety should be your top priority.
Corporate and Back Office Accountability
You can always call a professional cleaning company’s office to make a complaint whenever you have a problem. When working with an individual, then you will need to directly confront them. That can be less effective and hard to do. A professional company can provide a buffer and also solve the problem. There is a place for you to escalate the problem and have the hard conversations about reliability, quality, and price as needed, and not with the individual who cleaned your house and you would like to show up the following week.
Customized, personal service
Renee Angela Photography
Many homeowners hire a solo independent cleaner since they can provide the cleaner with specific work whenever they come over to clean, as compare to a cleaning service that has a collection of set services that does not offer much customization. Offering pre-set services is the way that cleaning companies are able to keep lower prices while maintaining high consistency and quality. You need to make the decision on what you would like to get from a cleaning service and what option will work the best for you.
There are many professional services that provide a Priority Cleaning service where you pay for a certain number of hours and to get cleaners to focus on what your cleaning priorities are, such as just cleaning your kitchen and bathrooms. Priority Cleaning is not a regular service but can help you get a great cleaning while keeping your budget under control.
Don’t hesitate to ask for a price you can afford to pay and specific services from a solo cleaner or cleaning company that meets your needs. It isn’t insulting or rude – it is working to create a good business relationship.
To summarize, typically a professional home cleaning company will cost a little more compared to an independent house cleaner. However, the benefits can make up for the differences in price. If accountability, safety, reliability, and quality are just as important to you as price, then you should consider hiring a professional company for meeting your cleaning needs.
