6 Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring a Housekeeper

Hiring a housekeeper can be a great experience. However, just like any other hiring scenario, you need to know a little bit about what you want before getting started.

With that in mind, we have some important questions to ask yourself before hiring a housekeeper. Take a look so that you can have a better idea of who you’re looking for before you go into the hiring process.

Hiring a housekeeper? Here’s what to consider first

1. Do you want to hire an independent housekeeper or a corporate company?

The first thing you want to sort out is whether you want to hire an independent housekeeper or go with a corporate company. This is one scenario where there is no wrong answer. Each route has its own unique benefits and disadvantages.

For example, if you hire a corporate cleaning company to do the job, whoever comes into your home is going to be bonded and insured. You may also be able to score a more affordable rate. Unfortunately, though, with this type of setup, you should tip your cleaners and you may not see the same people each time your home is cleaned.

On the other hand, if you’re hiring a housekeeper who is independent, you’re usually going to be guaranteed to see the same person each time you ask for cleaning. Since that person will likely set their own price, it’s not necessary to tip. However, their availability may not be as flexible and they may come at a different price point.

2. Do you want to be home when the housekeeper is there?

Next, it’s important to take a look at your availability and whether or not you want to be home when the cleaning takes place. If you don’t mind a little bit of noise, you can likely be at home during the cleaning. This is also likely the best option for those who don’t like the idea of someone being in their home without them being present.

However, if you don’t mind the thought of someone being in your home without you being there, you could explore the possibility of being away from home during the cleaning. In this case, though, it is extremely important to find someone who you are able to trust to do the job.

3. What services would you like a housekeeper to provide?

Next, you want to think about what services you would like a housekeeper to provide. Put simply, not all housekeepers are the same. While some only perform traditional cleaning tasks, others will also perform auxiliary services like doing laundry or grocery shopping.

To that end, before you start interviewing and hiring a housekeeper, it’s important to come up with a list of the services that you would like completed on a regular basis. Doing so will help you narrow down the field of applicants and eventually land on someone who is the right fit.

4. Will you provide cleaning supplies?

Then, it’s important to take a look at whether or not you want to provide cleaning supplies. In this case, providing cleaning supplies can be a way to keep costs down. However, then, replenishing them becomes your responsibility. If you choose not to take it on, the cost will likely be added to any quotes to receive from interested applicants.

In addition, you’ll also want to think about whether or not you want your house cleaner to use any special cleaning supplies. While some people do not mind what cleaners are used on their surfaces, others have specific preferences. You’ll need to figure out which camp you fit into.

5. What’s your budget for hiring a housekeeper?

After you have a firm idea of what you would like to receive from a cleaning lady, the next step is to figure out your budget. In this case, it can be helpful to figure out how often you would like to have your home cleaned and then looking to the going rates for that type of service in your area.

That said, beyond just thinking about how much you would like to pay, you’ll also want to take a look at how you would like to pay for a housekeeper’s services. Some independent housekeepers run a cash-only business, while others will accept checks or Venmo. If you want to have the flexibility to pay by credit card, you may need to go with a larger company.

6. Can you get a referral?

Lastly, housekeeping is often an industry that runs off of referrals. In light of that, you may want to tap your network to see if you can get a referral for someone before searching on the internet. Be sure to ask your family and friends if they’ve used anyone whose work they have been happy with in the past.

If you can’t get a personal referral, ask the people who you interview to provide referrals for you. Once you have them in hand, don’t be afraid to call them and ask questions.