Maid Matrimony: Choosing the Right Cleaning Company {for you}

House cleaning is likely the most invasive home service you will ever have.  We know all your dirty secrets (pun intended).  I liken this to marriage, because it is imperative you choose wisely.  For one, you may end up signing a service contract.  Second, most people find it very hard to divorce their cleaners after having them for awhile.  Here is a list of tips so hopefully you won't have to!

1. Make a list of non-negotiables and things you must have cleaned each visit.  Knowing what is important to you is the best start.
2. Ask for referrals.  Most people do not want to “clean and tell” (I’m hilarious), but everyone gets their house cleaned.  And if they aren’t, they wish they were.  So don’t feel bad.  If your best friend gets her house cleaned {and she is happy with her service}, start by checking that company out.  And by checking them out I do not mean hiring them.  I mean researching their company.  What works for her may not work for you.
3. If you don’t have any referrals —> YELP!  Replace your best friend with Yelp.  Take advantage of it.  READ A LOT OF REVIEWS.  Good and bad.  Take the bad with a grain of salt.  Those could be clients that would never be pleased even if their house was sparkling from top to bottom or outlier situations (unfortunately, bad things happen to good companies).  If there are way more good than bad, than you are probably looking at a good company.  If you see a company with a lot of good reviews all within days of each other, this company is probably buying good reviews. Keep that in mind.  In five years of business we have about 20 reviews but have cleaned hundreds of Yelper’s homes.
4. Make sure they service your area.  I know this sounds so much like common sense.  But I get at least one appointment made per month through online booking for someone that doesn’t even live in DC, MD, or VA.  So make sure they service your area (and if there are any traveling fees associated with servicing your area).
5. Check out their website.  It is not likely you will find pricing there (because it is a competitive industry), but you will most likely find a list of services they offer.  If they don’t have a website, beware.  Most legit companies will have at least a minimalistic website.
6. Email - You can call, but this is why I say email:  It is better to have everything in writing.  To be honest, Swept Away gets so many calls a day that I can’t remember every discussion I’ve had anymore.  There was a point in time where I could remember the date, exact time, and word for word conversation I had with someone.  Now that we get more business than we can handle, my brain has officially maxed out.  However, when I make a promise in writing - it is pretty hard to forget that.  This works to your benefit because everything you said you wanted done is right there and can be easily proved that it was not done (if that were to happen). 
7. Details - Try to be as specific as possible with the company you are going to work with.  Neither party likes surprises when it comes to ensuring expectations are all in line.  You don’t want to feel taken advantage of and your company doesn’t want complaints about things they didn’t do (that they normally wouldn’t do).  If you want your fridge cleaned - make sure it is something they can do or will do (usually at an additional cost).  If you want your closet vacuumed in vertical lines - make sure they know this.  It is better to be specific (to the point of being anal) and get the company that can make these things happen than feeling like you spent $200 on a bad job (that may not have really been bad, you just had different expectations).  If you have certain cleaning products you do or do not want used - make this known NOW.  You don’t want to come home to a bathroom full of bleach if you only wanted water and vinegar.
8. Make sure they accept the payment you prefer.  If you’re wanting to charge this to your AMEX to build your points, don’t wait until they get there to ensure they take credit cards.  If this is a non-negotiable - make sure you know in advance.  And, make sure they are within your budget.  Nothing is worse than falling in love with something you can't have.  AND, make sure that you understand their rates and how they are charging you.  Some companies charge you by the hour and they will stop after a certain amount of time unless you pay more (usually the big franchises do this).  Make sure you understand if this is a flat rate or an hourly rate.
9. Make sure they are insured and/or bonded.  Insurance is for damages and bonding is for theft.  I’m proud to say I’ve never had to use either, but I still carry them just in case.  Any responsible company would.  And you want a responsible company.
10. Be realistic!  Expect a clean home, but don’t set your expectations so high no one can meet!

Good luck.  Don’t fret if your first few calls, cleanings don’t go as well as hoped - there are plenty of fish in the sea :)