One of the questions often asked by homeowners hiring a cleaning company for the first time is, “How often should I have you come?” From a service-owner perspective, the answer would be “everyday,” but all kidding aside, this can be a complicated decision. Following is some advice which might help.

 

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Start with how often you clean your own home. Not just a quick tidy up when friends or family are on the way over; a real cleaning. The times you pull out the vacuum, roll up your sleeves, clean the bathrooms, and polish the furniture. The most important aspect of this decision-making process is to not try to fit into someone else’s mold. What is YOUR frequency?

Then, look at what other family or household members do to either contribute to the overall cleanliness of the house or add to the mess. You will need to look realistically at all that can be done in-between cleaning visits. Are the members of the household equally contributing to maintaining the space, or is the burden unevenly distributed? Perhaps the reason for bringing in outside professional help is to “balance out” the situation. Although cleaning services are not always recognized for this particular quality, it is fair to say that the services provided have helped to save many marriages and contributed to happier homes!

You'll also have to consider budget; maybe a weekly cleaning would be ideal, but you have to stay within tight fiscal limits. On average, a cleaning visit will typically cost around $85- $165 (this varies by geography and also size of the property to be cleaned). Most services will vary in price according to frequency and services provided. Also, keep in mind that a bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning will usually cost more each visit than a weekly cleaning due to cleaning rotations and attention to detail. Pricing will also be determined by the level of service you want. Be sure to communicate clearly your expectations as well as understand what the cleaning service you are interviewing provides.

Most professional cleaning services will provide regular service based on just about any schedule, including weekly, bi-weekly, every four weeks (monthly), and sometimes every three or six weeks. The most common cleaning schedule is service every two weeks (bi-weekly). If you spend “real” time cleaning your home every week or more than once a week, then a weekly schedule may be the best option for you and your home.

A good place to start is calculating the greatest length of time between cleanings you can go; a cleaning every four weeks might accommodate budget and take care of your cleaning needs. If you find yourself grimacing, looking at the calendar, and counting down the days before the cleaning crew comes again, then you might want to talk with your service and increase the frequency of visits.

A good service should be able to easily walk you through the process, asking the right questions to get you set up with the best possible schedule to fit your needs.

This information is brought to you by the Verified Home Cleaning Pro, an independent screening and verification program for professional home services. Service owners who enroll and participate in the program are required to meet stringent criteria and are screened and approved to be accepted into the program. Visit www.verifiedhomecleaningpro.com for complete information on the program and to locate a provider in your area. If you are a professional home cleaning company, contact us about enrolling today to ensure your area is covered.

 

About Perry Phillips

Perry Phillips is a writer, speaker, and consultant for the residential cleaning industry.  He is the publisher of www.homecleanermagazine.com. Perry is an advocate for the professional home cleaning industry and is committed to increasing awareness through consumer education. He also founded the only non-profit member organization for the industry, ARCSI.