Hiring a Housekeeper? Here’s What You Need to Know

You can bring order and cleanliness to your home by hiring a housekeeper instead of doing it all yourself. Before hiring a housekeeper, consider what kind of help you need and ensure that they are the right fit. The following tips and advice will help you find and hire a housekeeper.

Understand your housekeeping goals

You must determine precisely what kind of help you require before you hire a housekeeper. Are you looking for someone to come in once a week and clean the entire house? Alternatively, you may only need a monthly house cleaning session and wish to have specific areas cleaned regularly. Do you want extra help with particular chores like washing the dishes or cleaning the windows? Knowing the tasks the housekeeper will need to perform will help you find someone well-suited for the job.

Read This: House Cleaners: The Ultimate Guide About Housekeeping Services

Ask friends and family for suggestions about hiring a housekeeper.

Asking around is an effective way to find a reliable housekeeper. Ask family and friends who have had positive experiences with their housekeepers for recommendations. It is a good idea to ask around to see which cleaning companies are available in your local area, and how much they charge. Asking neighbors about the cleaning services they have already used and are familiar with is the fastest way to find a trustworthy and reliable house cleaning service. 

Figure out the details of the job — schedules, duties, payment schedule, etc.

It is essential that you and your housekeeper agree on the details of the job before you hire one. Aside from the work hours and schedule, this includes the duties they will be responsible for and the compensation they should receive. For everyone to be on the same page regarding payment methods and when payments are due, it’s crucial to establish a payment schedule in advance. Also, clearly outline any additional tasks that may arise during your working relationship. A Services Agreement is the best way to describe all project details. According to contractscounsel.com, a Service Agreement is a written contract between a service provider and a client. In addition to being legally binding, this document provides legal protection for both the provider and the client.

Related: How Much Are Housekeeping Services In Aberdeen, Maryland? 

Request to schedule a walkthrough before hiring a housekeeper.

Whenever you are considering granting a new housekeeper access to your home for cleaning services, there are only so many questions you can ask remotely. It is never a bad idea to schedule a home walkthrough. When your potential house cleaner meets with you personally, you will have the opportunity to interview them as they tour your home. The housekeeper can assess which cleaning tasks are best for you in order to compile a customized estimate for your house cleaning. Asking questions such as, “How much do the services cost?” or “Is your business insured?” during your walkthrough will help you determine whether you can afford to squeeze cleaning service costs into your budget and ensure your valuable possessions are covered. 

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You may want to consider a trial period.

By offering to try their services for a period of time, you can see if your housekeeper meets your expectations. During the trial period, you can observe the house cleaner to see what household cleaning products they use, how detailed their cleaning skills are, and how long each cleaning takes. By doing this, you can determine whether the cleaning company is a good fit and if they are of value to you.

More: 13 Signs You Might Need A Housekeeper Now!

Is the housekeeper you’re hiring insured?

As with any other service worker, housekeepers are always at risk of being injured on the job. Moreover, accidents can happen, and something can break during the cleaning process. Request a copy of the cleaning company’s certificate of insurance before the cleaning service begins to ensure that everything is legit. It is possible to request copies of background checks for any house cleaner sent to your home if you want to go the extra mile. 

Make plans for the kids – and pets too! 

To avoid slowing down the cleaning process, you should figure out ways to stay out of the housekeeper’s way if the housekeeper has an hourly rate structure. Consider where the kids will be during the cleaning process. You don’t want to allow the kiddos to run across freshly mopped, wet floors or to pull toys back out after the housekeeper has already cleaned up all the toys. Additionally, some pets have a habit of being in the way too. As a pet parent, it’s up to you to decide if it’s best for your pet to be crated or kept in a particular area during the cleaning.

In Conclusion

A well-planned project for your home will keep you organized in general. The entire house cleaning process runs more smoothly when you understand your housekeeping goals and put them in writing. The ideal housekeeper should come from a legitimate cleaning company. Following all the steps above is essential to find the right fit for you.  

More: 5 Things To Consider Before Hiring A Housekeeper

Have you ever hired a housekeeper before? How was your experience?

Be sure to let us know in the comments!