Housekeeping Taking Up Too Much Time?
Why it's Worth Hiring a Maid Service
Just the idea of hiring a housekeeping service makes some people feel guilty. We feel like we have to do it all - excel at the office, shuffle the kids from one activity to another, cook delicious meals and keep the house spotless. But we can’t be everything to everyone.
Hiring a housekeeper or maid service helps ease the burden of a busy schedule. It frees up time to do more important things. Spend more time with the family or take an hour to yourself for some much-needed relaxation. Hiring a housekeeper is relatively affordable, too.
About Housekeeping Services
Specific tasks vary from one company to another, but most housekeeping services will wipe down counters and appliances, do the dishes, scrub bathroom services, sweep, mop, vacuum, make the beds, dust and straighten/organize. Some do chores like laundry and cat litter; others don’t.
Heavy duty tasks like window washing or cleaning underneath furniture usually are not included in the price of a standard house cleaning. But you can request that those tasks are done monthly or quarterly for an additional fee.
Cost of Maid Service
For routine house cleaning, most services charge about $15 to $30 per hour. Rates vary based upon region of the country, the size of your home and how dirty it is. Often, cleaning services will set a $50 or $75 minimum to make it worth their while to take the job.
If you have an average-sized home - say around 2,000 square feet - budget anywhere from $80 to $125 for a routine cleaning.
Maid Service Hiring Tips
- Do your homework - Always do some background research before hiring a maid service. Read consumer reviews and check the company’s rating with consumer organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
- Don’t skip the interview - Screen prospective housekeeping services over the phone at first. Then conduct an in-person interview. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person who’s going to spend a few hours a week in your home.
- Ask for references - Talk to current or former clients to find out if they’re happy with the service. If a housekeeping service refuses to provide references, move on. That’s never a good sign.
- Get a quote - Make sure you get the cost in writing before hiring a maid service. It’s also a good idea to ask for a checklist of the cleaning tasks that will be done. Make sure you’re on the same page now and there will be no confusion later.
- Negotiate - Most services are willing to work with you on price. If you’re quoted a price that seems to high, ask for a lower rate. If you can’t get a price that seems reasonable, try another service.
Author: Ashley Smith
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