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What You Should Know Before Hiring a House Cleaner
Are you thinking about hiring a house cleaner? Are you stressed out with a long to-do list at home? Struggling to find enough time to tackle all of your chores?
There are many ways a house cleaner will help you optimize your life at home. But, it’s important to realize that hiring a house cleaner is not for everyone.
Before you hire a house cleaner there are a few things you should know.
Be clear about your house cleaning goals
People usually hire a house cleaner to save time.
If you work full-time, have a family or pets, your days are full of obligations. House cleaning takes up a lot of time, and hiring a house cleaning service will save you hours of free time every week.
However, every household is different and you may have other goals that you’re trying to achieve.
Maybe you have plenty of free time, but you’re unable to clean because of an injury or disability.
Or maybe you struggle to keep your kitchen clean because you’re constantly cooking for your family and friends.
Or maybe you enjoy cleaning your house but you hate cleaning your bathroom.
Whatever the reason may be, you should first ask yourself this question so that you and your house cleaner are on the same page. This information will help your cleaner figure out the best way to be able to go above and beyond for you and serve your needs.
Figure out what your budget is
Another important question you should ask yourself is how much you’re willing to spend.
House cleaners typically offer two pricing options- hourly or flat rate.
House cleaning rates will vary depending on location.
In Seattle, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40-$90/hour per cleaner for hourly cleaning services.
For hourly cleanings, you’re only charged for the amount of time that your maids are in your home cleaning.
Deep cleanings and move in / move out cleanings will cost more than a touch-up cleaning, and you can expect to pay closer to $100 per hour.
For flat-rate house cleaning services, you’re charged based on the sq footage and # of bedrooms and bathrooms in your home. At Seatown Cleaners, we use flat-rate pricing.
For homes less than 1,500 sq ft you can expect to pay around $150 for a regular house cleaning service. For homes more than 2,500 sq ft you can expect to pay around $250. Pricing will vary from company to company, but this is a good idea of what to expect.
There are many independent house cleaners who may charge lower hourly rates ($15-30 per hour), but you should be cautious with them. The reason why some cleaners charge such a low price is because they are uninsured, unbonded, or aren’t registered as a business in Washington State or the City of Seattle. When you’re communicating with house cleaners who charge rates that low, ask to see copies of their license, insurance, and bonding.
Most reputable cleaners in Seattle who are licensed, bonded, and insured will charge at least $30-50 per hour to cover their operating costs. Whether you choose a flat-rate or hourly option, it’s helpful for your house cleaner to know what your budget is so you can get the most bang for your buck.
Decide on what requirements you have for your house cleaner
A big question you should ask yourself before researching house cleaners is whether or not you have any special requirements for your home.
Do you have allergies to certain chemicals?
Do you only want your cleaners to use eco-friendly, green cleaning products?
Do you want your house cleaner to use their own supplies or your supplies?
These questions will help you narrow your search because every house cleaning service will have different services and options that they offer.
There are a lot of house cleaning services in Seattle, and it can be daunting to try to find the right one for you.
Making sure you’re clear about what requirements you have for your house cleaner will help you find the best one for your home much faster.
Independent cleaners vs cleaning companies
Whether you choose an independent cleaner or a cleaning company, there are pros and cons to both. It’s up to you to decide which you prefer because there’s no right or wrong answer.
Independent house cleaners tend to be cheaper than larger cleaning companies and they are usually referral-based so they will come well recommended by your friends and family. However, independent cleaners are more likely to be unlicensed, unbonded, or uninsured.
Independent cleaners usually operate as a sole proprietor, so if you have a large home keep that in mind.
Also, since they’re operating on their own oftentimes it can be harder to communicate, schedule, and pay with independent cleaners. Phone tag is no fun!
Cleaning companies can be more expensive than independent cleaners, but when you hire a cleaning company they will usually send teams of 2 or 3 background-checked, fully trained cleaners.
It is easier to communicate, pay, and schedule with companies because they will have systems and support staff in place to help answer your questions.
Cleaning companies will also have more of an online presence, so you can read reviews and feedback from previous clients to find out if they’re the right fit for you.
However, a drawback to using a cleaning company is that it can be harder to develop a close, personal relationship with your cleaning team. Some companies send different teams to your home every time, so make sure you ask about that.
Whether you choose an independent house cleaner or a cleaning company is up to you, but it’s important to decide which option is right for you before hiring a house cleaner for your home.
Ask around for referrals
The best place to find a great house cleaner is within your network of family and friends. You should ask around to find out if anyone has a housecleaner or company that they love and recommend.
Many cleaning companies offer referral discounts so you and your friend or family member can also save money when you choose the same cleaning service. Seatown Cleaners offers $20 off your next cleaning if you’re referred by a customer of ours, or if you refer someone to us.
A lot of cleaning services will also allow you to try out different cleaners within their company to make sure you’re working with the right person or team. Every home is different, and every cleaner has different strengths, so it’s always helpful to try out new house cleaners.
At the end of the day, you’re the only one who can decide if hiring a house cleaner is the right decision. Hopefully, this helped you answer some key questions about what you need to know before hiring a cleaner for your home. If you’re in Seattle, Seatown Cleaners has been providing cleanings since 2019 and could be a good fit for you. Give us a call and find out if our services are right for your home!
