Choosing a reliable and safe cleaning service can be difficult as there are probably many things you want to consider. When looking to hire a home cleaning service, there are specific things to look for before you book a service with a company. Take into consideration what it is your looking for, what you want to get out of the service, how often you need the service and what a specific company offers that appeals to you. A reliable cleaning company will have all their information either on their website or a phone call, and should be able to answer all your questions. Below are 5 strategies on how to hire a trustworthy cleaning service and what to look out for.

1. DECIDE WHAT YOU NEED
   Before looking into any cleaning services, decide what it is you are looking for. This may be how often you want to have your home cleaned, what kind of service you book each time and the price range you are looking to stay within. Assess the size of your home, what you need cleaned in your home and decide if you are able to keep up with cleaning consistently yourself or if you want to book more frequent services.

Typically, cleaning services will offer weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cleanings. The more often you book, the cheaper the cost will be as well. Cleaning companies will usually have an option for move in/move out services which prepare the home you are moving into and leaving your current place clean for the next residents.

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH
   Before deciding on a company, make sure you research them online and sometimes over the phone to make sure you are getting the best service for your money. Look at reviews on Google and Yelp, and ask friends and family for recommendations. Talking to people who have had real experiences with cleaning companies can help you narrow down your search and focus on the companies that are really worth booking for a service.

Good reviews, an easy to use website (lots of information accessible) and referrals are all good signs that the company is trustworthy. There is always a chance that you may not have a positive encounter, but this is a risk we all take with hiring new services.

3. LOOK AT PRICING
   Most companies who have a website (and they should), will list their pricing online. Try to avoid companies that don’t offer flat rates, as there is often hidden pricing that you are not aware of until you are charged. If they have online booking, add up everything you want to be completed in your service and you should get a flat rate of how much it will cost. This gives you an idea of how much you will be spending on recurring services as well, so that you can budget for it. If the company you are looking at doesn’t have online booking, then give them a call. Let them know exactly what you need in your service, and they should be able to let you know how much you should be paying.

Some companies will also ofter hourly pricing, which is based on the number of hours you are paying for. Be careful of this too, as the company should be contacting you before adding on extra time to the service.

3. 2 MAIDS IS BETTER THAN 1
   Many clients believe that having more than one person to come clean their home will improve the quality and the time of the service. While time can definitely be reduced, the quality of the clean may not be higher than if it is one person. There is a chance that not all the maids who come to your home do the same quality of work, which means that you may not get the kind of clean you were expecting for. If having a team is important to you, let the company know when you book, however be aware that this does not necessarily improve the quality of the clean.
4. KNOW THEIR POLICY AND ABOUT THEIR CLEANERS
   In the chance that you are not satisfied with the clean you receive, find out what their refund policy is before you book. Many companies offer a free re-clean for unsatisfied customers, and then a refund after that. Make sure the do a walkthrough with the cleaners once they are finished to ensure that every area you have paid for has been cleaned to a good standard.

Make sure to ask if their cleaners are vetted and background checked before you book. They should be, and if not then don’t book. It is important to keep you and your home safe, and since you are letting strangers into your home this is important. You may not be around to be at home while the cleaners are there either, so it’s better to double check beforehand.

5. UNDERSTAND WHAT IS INCLUDED IN CLEAN
   Take a look at the company’s website or give them a call to learn what is included in the cleaning services they offer. There are usually areas of your home that are not included in some services, however they can be added on if desired. This helps to prevent confusion for both you and the company about what is expected in a service. If the company does not have add-on services or does not provide what you are looking for, then move on. It is better to continue to do research to find the best cleaning service that is right for you and your home. If you are looking to book on a consistent basis, it is better to find a company you can trust and use many times over than to be switching companies every few cleans.