| Fast-paced lifestyles, hectic schedules and a lack of | | | | standard chemicals at a lower ratio, literally watering |
| free time can lead one to consider hiring a maid | | | | down a chemical until it passes standards. This can be |
| service to handle critical house cleaning duties. But | | | | at the expense of the performance of the product. |
| before picking up the phone to schedule an | | | | Other environmentally safe products contain |
| appointment, it is important to know whom you are | | | | bio-based ingredients that contain natural bacteria and |
| letting into your home. | | | | enzymes, which are non-pathogenetic environmental |
| Bonding: Make sure the maid service is bonded for its | | | | isolates that imitate the way nature naturally cleans |
| house cleaning clientèle. Should a theft occur, | | | | itself. These natural substances can be used in hard |
| you need to be protected. Some companies, if they | | | | surface cleaners and degreasers to create a safe, |
| are bonded at all, protect only themselves, not the | | | | effective cleaning solution. |
| consumer. | | | | Equipment: Check out what is included with your |
| Insurance: Make sure the house cleaning company is | | | | house cleaning. Some independent housekeepers as |
| insured. If a maid slips and falls while cleaning the | | | | well as some services expect you to supply all |
| shower, your homeowner's policy might not cover | | | | cleaning equipment. If the maid service is supplying |
| the incident. The maid service should have liability and | | | | the equipment, find out the efficiency of the vacuum |
| employee accident coverage and should include your | | | | and the filtration system. |
| home, the housecleaner(s) and the company. | | | | Satisfaction: Ask if the maid service measures |
| References: Make sure the maid service is reliable. | | | | customer satisfaction and if so, what type of |
| How many years have they been in business? Ask | | | | procedure is used to collect responses. Are you |
| for references and a work history. When calling | | | | asked to fill out a survey online or on paper? Will a |
| references ask some key questions: | | | | manager contact you following the house cleaning to |
| - How long have you used the house cleaning | | | | be sure your expectations were fulfilled or |
| service? | | | | exceeded? The steps a company takes to ensure a |
| - Have you ever needed to make a complaint? If so, | | | | customer's satisfaction tells a lot about how much |
| how did the service handle resolving the issue? | | | | they value their customers. |
| - Would you enthusiastically recommend the maid | | | | Quality assurance: Find out the service's quality |
| service provider? | | | | assurance procedures. How is the quality of service |
| Employee screening and hiring: Ask the house cleaning | | | | measured and verified to ensure quality of service is |
| company if employees' references are checked, if | | | | maintained? A maid service should have quality |
| criminal background checks are administered, and if | | | | assurance procedures in place to be sure their house |
| residence status is confirmed. Also find out if the | | | | cleaning meets quality standards every clean. Ask if |
| workforce is comprised of employees or | | | | the maid service has managers who inspect every |
| subcontractors. A maid service using subcontractors | | | | clean to be sure the quality of service is upheld. |
| does not provide staff training and may not provide | | | | Guarantee: Find out how the company handles |
| liability insurance. In addition, there may not be a | | | | complaints and make sure the service is backed by a |
| standard of quality and unclear procedures for | | | | written satisfaction guarantee. Know prior to the |
| complaint resolution. | | | | house cleaning the limitations of the guarantee and |
| Cleaning products: Some independent housekeepers | | | | what steps consumers should take to execute the |
| as well as some services expect you to supply all | | | | guarantee. |
| cleaning products. If products are included by the | | | | Taxes: Make sure you don't break any tax laws. If |
| house cleaning company, find out what type of | | | | you pay a housekeeper or maid a certain amount per |
| products will be used and if they contain harsh | | | | year, the federal law requires you to pay social |
| chemicals like bleach or ammonia. Be sure the | | | | security and other taxes on that person. However, |
| products are safe for pets and kids. | | | | some states may require you to withhold state |
| If the maid service touts using "green" products or | | | | taxes on payments smaller than $1,000. Most maid |
| environmentally friendly products for house cleaning, | | | | service companies withhold taxes for their |
| understand what you are getting. Ask if the products | | | | employees, but check to make sure. If you pay a |
| are effective in cleaning and disinfecting pathogens | | | | housekeeper or maid at least $1,200 per year, the |
| like Staphylococcus (Staph.), Salmonella and E.coli If | | | | federal law requires you to pay social security and |
| the maid service is "Green Certified," find out which | | | | other taxes on that person. For more information |
| certifying body certified the cleaning products and | | | | about household employee taxes, call the Internal |
| their certification process. | | | | Revenue Service. |
| Some products, although certified "green" actually use | | | | |