How to Find A Housekeeper That's Right for Your Property

Finding a housekeeper is not just as easy as calling the first housekeeping service you find on your local directories. Aside from checking the credentials of prospective housekeepers, you also have to consider whether the housekeeper is right for you, your family, and your property. Your housekeeper should also match you, your lifestyle, and your cleaning preferences.

So before you sign ona housekeeper, take time to talk to them at length. If you are getting more than one worker, you should talk to all of them. The most important thing is to make your expectations clear to them, especially your desired cleanliness level. Are you satisfied as long as your home looks neat enough, or do you want every surface cleaned and every fixture disinfected? Do you have any preferred cleaning protocols? Do you have any special instructions, such as not to touch your precious China collection? Your conversation with your housekeepers will help you build a relationship with them, but it's also your best opportunity to clarify what you want from them.

Some housekeepers also have their own preferences. Some only accept indoor cleaning jobs, while some specialize in outdoor cleaning. Individual housekeepers also have their own cleaning techniques and specialties. Some only sign up for light cleaning, while some can help you with heavier tasks. If you take the time to explore these factors, it will be easier for you to find the best match for you.

Then you have to make sure you and your housekeeper has compatible schedules. Tell them your preferred schedule, such as once every week or once every month. Then they also have to tell you how much they will charge you for the schedule you prefer and the types of cleaning you will require.

Usually, different cleaning jobs are also charged individually. So take stock of what components you have in your home, such as windows, carpets, tiles, gutters, and so on. Once you specify which of these you want cleaned, you will be given a price for window cleaning, another for carpet cleaning, and another for tile cleaning. Based on market averages, window cleaning costs around $245 for a 5-hour job, carpet cleaning costs around $200 for a 4-hour job, and tile/grout cleaning costs $466 for an entire day. Ultimately, you and your housekeeper has to arrive at an agreement that's fair to both parties, and one that meets your cleaning needs as well as your budget.

More often than not, the process of finding the right housekeeper takes a bit of trial and error, especially if you don't make all these important considerations. But if you take time to find the housekeeper best suited for your property, you will save money and save yourself from a lot of trouble by finding the right housekeeper the first time.