How to Choose a Cleaning Service Company Or Private Maid - $0

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Is there any way to verify the reliability of a maid service or private cleaner? A national survey of insurance firms found that 44.6% of all theft claims originate from household cleaning services, as reported by Mark Rosell of The Mang Insurance Group. Mr. Rosell further claims that the vast majority of cleaning service providers are underinsured, meaning that they have policies in place to cover losses to the business but not to its clients. In addition, he said that consumers do not need to submit to a criminal record check before purchasing bonding insurance. Anyone considering hiring a domestic worker should give serious consideration to these shocking statistics. Hiring a private maid or a cleaning service company, you should feel safe and secure in your home before agreeing to let a stranger into your home.

Since 1989, I have had a cleaning firm, and since 2004, I have worked as a consultant for other cleaning businesses, so I have heard many stories. It's not the end of the world if a company doesn't have enough insurance or employs dishonest people. While one woman spent a month in the hospital, upon her return home she discovered that her private maid had not only relocated but had also brought her family of five to live with her. Another person supposedly had their house cleaned by a franchise that only showed up to collect payment when they were supposed to be there. I was told of another franchise service whose cleaning crew of three women failed to impress the client since they could not speak English.

You should check references and read customer reviews before committing to a cleaning service. Here are my suggestions:

Don't let cost be the only factor in choosing a contractor

Request that the insurance provider send you documentation of coverage in the event of an accident. (Demand that the insurance company, not the cleaning service, sends you the proof of insurance.) A few rules regarding insurance coverage:

As long as it is a Third Party Bond, you can get insurance for bonding for as little as $1,000, and you will be protected from theft. There should be at least a $25,000 third-party bond for adequate protection.

1. Third-party liability coverage protects you from financial loss in the event of an accident without affecting your own home insurance premiums. Liability insurance should be at least $1,000,000 at the very least.

2. If an employee gets hurt while working at your house, worker's comp will cover the medical costs so that you won't have to pay them out of pocket.

3. The owner of the cleaning company is the person you will be communicating with in the event of any issues, so it's important to feel at ease with them. Inquire about the company's procedures for handling complaints, issues with workers, and insurance claims related to poor service. When will you receive your money back if something gets broken or goes missing? How long will it take to get your money back if the cleaning wasn't up to par, or for someone to come back and redo it?

4. Inquire about the company's background screening procedures. Due to applicants' inconsistency in providing reliable employment and address information, we can only invite about 10% of applicants for interviews. If you have ten applications and only invite one to an interview, nine of them will be immediately disqualified due to their bad work ethic, excessive number of addresses, or criminal backgrounds. If I just employed anybody who applied, my company's bottom line might increase temporarily, but I can guarantee you that customer loyalty and trust would take a major hit.

5. For how many years does the business look into a candidate's criminal history? In some places, you can only conduct a background check going back ten years, although a check that goes back twenty is preferable. I've reviewed applications from people who seemed perfectly law-abiding but yet had criminal histories that would put some of the most notorious criminals of the Wild West to shame. A young woman who sought for the position of maid had six pages of criminal history and had done time for safe cracking. Another applicant who seemed very pleasant had actually done time for armed robbery. While these are extreme examples, they illustrate the fact that you could be letting a criminal into your house if the cleaning agency you hire does not perform background checks. The vast majority of applicants have spotless backgrounds, but about 10% have serious offences such as assault, disturbing the peace, and reckless driving on their records. These are the files of applicants who submitted above-average applications; can you picture who would be brought to your house if the company you hire doesn't adhere to the strictest recruiting policies?

If you want a private maid, number six is to make sure you examine their background thoroughly. Always keep in mind that first impressions aren't always accurate and that references can be fabricated.

Getting a return on your investment is probably one of your top priorities. If you pay $120 to have your home cleaned and you're not satisfied with the cleaning, you'll get a glimpse inside the company's inner workings. Does the organisation have the necessary rules, procedures, and resources to handle your issue in a timely and courteous manner? Do they provide quick fixes to fix issues? You deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing the firm you've welcomed into your life will clean your home thoroughly and carefully, without causing any disruptions or harm to you or your family.

The household cleaning sector is very labour intensive, but also highly communication and management intensive. Inadequate management on the part of the cleaning service will likely result in a less-than-desirable experience for you.

In conclusion, before deciding on a cleaning service to trust with your home, you should do your research like you would for any other major decision. Try asking around for recommendations from people you know and trust, whether that's via phone, in person, or online, or by asking at the water cooler at work. Put simply, you are about to welcome guests into your home, the most intimate and precious space in most people's lives. Make sure you're making a knowledgeable and wise choice, rather than just going with the lowest price. Ten years from now, you might be like so many of our other customers and find that the same welcoming atmosphere and excellent service is both a welcome and essential part of your life.