How do I Choose the Best Housekeeping Service?

To choose the best housekeeping service, it's not usually a good idea to pick one based on price alone. As with any other type of service, whether domestic or commercial, choosing something in the middle price bracket is often a good starting point. Another important consideration when looking for the best housekeeping service for you is to realize what exactly your household needs are so you can communicate these when searching for the right company.

Communicating your expectations for cleaning your home is crucial because otherwise even the most effective housekeeping service won't be if the workers don't understand your priorities. What is important in a clean home to one person may be completely different for another and it's not fair to expect cleaners, even professional ones, to be mind readers. Taking a cue from businesses and sending in a written request for a quote based on a list of tasks you give a housekeeping company can go a long way in getting your particular cleaning needs across.

Once you have completed quotes on the list of chores you'd like a cleaning service to do in your home, you can then compare the cost quoted by each company. This method is likely to get a housekeeping service's best price, as the company will realize it is in competition for the job. You'll also be able to keep a copy of the winning bid to make sure the service follows through on all of the work you requested.

Be sure to specify in your bidding paperwork whether the cleaning company is to use its own supplies or yours. Having all of the details can keep a cleaning service as well as yourself organized and on track. A signed agreement with the cleaning company as to the chores it's responsible for completing, how often and for what pay can make things clear for both parties. The best cleaning service is likely to want to reach a workable agreement with you for regular work.

You may want to hire two or three services for a trial cleaning before getting to a contract and agreement for regular work. The end result of each cleaning session should allow you to select the best housekeeping service. If you're having difficulty finding cleaning companies to even hire for one housework session, speak with neighbors, friends and even people at your local medical center or other professional building, as they may know of a good housekeeping service.