When it comes to hiring professional cleaners, you might think there’s nothing to worry about. After all, the services offered by cleaning companies are necessary for any business or household. However, many cleaning companies fail to live up to their end of the bargain. There are plenty of dishonest, unqualified and fly-by-night cleaning services that promise more than they can deliver. Because of this, it can be difficult to find trustworthy cleaning services. There are a few red flags that you should look out for when hiring a cleaning company. Before making any decisions, you should do your own research to make sure that you’re not contracting with an unlicensed or unqualified cleaning service. Once you’ve found a company that meets your needs, you should ask them about their experience and what they do to ensure that they remain compliant with all state and local regulations governing the cleaning industry.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for References
You should never hire a cleaning service without thoroughly checking out their references. While this may seem like an easy thing to do, many cleaning service owners don’t actually have any references. They’ll give you a list of previous clients who were satisfied with the job that they did. While this may seem like a good sign, it doesn’t really tell you anything. If they’re not willing to give you references, then you should keep looking. You can also ask them if they’re willing to provide you with a sample of their work. This way, you can see if they actually clean houses and offices the way that they say they do. It’s also a good idea to ask the cleaning service if they have insurance and what type of insurance they carry. You don’t want to get stuck with a cleaning bill if something gets damaged or damaged beyond repair. This can be especially important if you’re renting a property. If the cleaning service doesn’t have insurance, then it may not be able to foot the bill.
Watch Out For Hidden Fees and Contracts
If a cleaning service tells you that they’re going to come in and clean your entire house or office for a certain price, then you should take their word for it. While some cleaning services may charge more for certain jobs, others may have hidden fees that you’ll only discover after they’ve already started cleaning. For example, some companies charge extra to clean bathrooms that are already clean. Or they’ll charge you for the cost of cleaning materials they’ll use even if they don’t actually use them. You should also take a look at their contract. Make sure that it’s in writing, includes the date that they’ll start and end the job, and specifies exactly what they’re cleaning and how much it will cost. If the cleaning service doesn’t show you a written contract, then you should be wary. It’s likely that they don’t have one because they don’t want you to see what they have to offer.
Make Sure They’re Licensed and Insured
If the cleaning service is working in your home or office, then they’re probably going to be handling a lot of your personal belongings. In that case, you need to make sure that they’re properly insured. If a cleaning service is handling your valuables, they’re responsible for them. You don’t want to be stuck with a cleaning bill if something gets damaged or broken during the job. It’s also important to make sure that they’re licensed. If something goes wrong, you’ll want to make sure that they’re in compliance with all state regulations. Even if you only hire them for a few hours a month, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If a cleaning service is unlicensed, unqualified, or doesn’t have insurance, then you should find another company.
Don’t Let Them Move Furniture Around
Some cleaning services will try to move furniture around in your home or office in an effort to clean everything. While this may seem like a good idea, it can actually make the cleaning job take much longer. You should ask the cleaning service if they’re going to move your furniture around. If they say that they are, you should ask them to explain why they’re doing it. You should also ask if they’re going to protect your belongings with plastic. This way, if a piece of furniture gets damaged, they can replace it for free. If they say that they’re not going to move furniture, then you can feel confident that they’re only cleaning what they’re supposed to. It’s also a good idea to find out what type of cleaning supplies they’re using. Some cleaning services will use chemicals and cleaning products that can damage your belongings or make them extra dirty.
Don’t Let Them Move Your Furniture to Another Room
If a cleaning service says that they’re going to move your furniture around, then you should hold them to that. Some cleaning services are going to try to move your furniture around in an effort to clean everything. While this may seem like a good idea, it actually makes the job take much longer. You should ask the cleaning service if they’re going to move your furniture around. If they say that they are, you should ask them to explain why they’re doing it. You should also ask if they’re going to protect your belongings with plastic. This way, if a piece of furniture gets damaged, they can replace it for free. If they say that they’re not going to move furniture, then you can feel confident that they’re only cleaning what they’re supposed to. It’s also a good idea to find out what type of cleaning supplies they’re using. Some cleaning services will use chemicals and cleaning products that can damage your belongings or make them extra dirty.
Bottom line
These are just a few of the red flags that you should be on the lookout for when hiring a cleaning service. While it may seem like a lot to keep in mind, it’s better to be safe than sorry. When you find a cleaning service that suits your needs and meets your price point, you shouldn’t take any chances. After all, you never know what kind of shady characters are out there.