Tucson Cleaning Service

I wrote a 10 part series about how to choose a cleaning service. I would now like to hear about your cleaning business and what someone should know about choosing a vendor in your field. Such as:

Chimney sweeping

Window Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning

Grout Cleaning

Auto Engine Cleaning

Concrete Cleaning

Along with your article I will allow you to provide a link to your site and your contact info.

Thanks

Well, this series is finally coming to an end. The last thing that you need to consider is your pets and family members. How do you plan to manage your pets during the cleaning process? Do you have any ill or infirmed family that need to be considered.

Also when you have a service scheduled you need to make sure that everyone knows well in advance. It is very awkward to arrive at a home only to find someone still in the shower. It has happened more that I would like to consider. Having written all of this I would like to wish you the best… And if you live in Tucson please do consider my service.

Well, I thought this series would never end. Sorry for the delays for any of you that have been following this series. My Home/Business computer has become badly infected with a nasty “Vendu Virus”. While attempting to solve this problem I ended up purchasing hundreds of virus removal programs and services along with an un-needed hard drive. I also lost the use of my USB ports.

So yesterday I finally said enough is enough and purchased a new PC. It wonderful to have no current virus problems and working USB ports. I will be finishing “How to choose a cleaning service soon… Thanks

One last thing if you would like to offer your cleaning tips please let me know.

We have covered a lot so far. Now, it’s time to consider scheduling and keys. What will you do if you are not able to be home? About 1/3 of my customers are not home when the cleaning service is preformed. So we have had to make arrangements.

Are you comfortable supplying a key for the cleaner? I have customer who provide keys and or a garage opener. I have customers who have had someone let me in. I have had customers leave their homes unlocked! because something had come up. I do not usually allow this option. It opens everybody up to liabilities. I have had customers who also don’t think anything about leaving windows open as well.

These are all very important things to consider. The option of having someone let you in is not a very good option. This just leads to many scheduling problems. I no longer will work where I have to depend on someone else letting me in or that wants to leave a home unlocked.

I would ask that you take scheduling very seriously. I have lost thousands of dollars when the customer is a no show. No emergencies to happen… So I am usually flexible… After all, as a one person operation when I get sick I can not send a replacement. I allow for one missed appointment with a reasonable explanation. However, with me there is no three strikes and your out… It’s two and gone! Part of my marketing is dependability and dependability is a two way street.

Today we will consider the franchise operation: I really honestly can not say much positive about these franchise operation. However, they seem to do very well here in Tucson. I live near a “The Maids” location in Tucson. I see there little yellow cars all the time. So they are definitely busy.

I hear a lot of complaints about poor service and 75% of those complaints are about franchise operations. One positive is that they provide very quick service. They usually go out in groups of two or three. So if you are in a hurry or have a very large house then they are a good choice. They also usually are available for same day or next day service. I can not provide this level of service, not do I wish to.

The down side of these services is that they are expensive. Their franchise costs are past onto you the consumer. They often are run by individuals with little or no practical cleaning experience. You are not likely to have the same cleaners on follow cleanings. Also many people are uncomfortable having multiple strangers in the home. Finally, the service is only as good as the cleaner. So some parts of the home may sparkle and other parts not at all.

Coming soon: other things to consider.

Let’s consider a local cleaning service: You should be able to find a local cleaning provider through a Google search or your local yellow pages. The advantage of a local company are many. You should be able to acquire a couple of references rather easily. You will want to find out some background about the company on their web site. Their pricing will reflect the going rate in your area.

You are more than likely going to be dealing directly with the owners when seeking information. However, the owners are not likely to be the ones cleaning your home. You will want to discuss things like employee training and the chemicals and equipment that they use. You may also be to have the same person or person cleaning your home, as they have more schedule flexibility.

The local company is generally more adaptable at meeting the customers need, wants, and desires. They have a keen interest in retaining regular customers. However, you must carefully choose your cleaning service here. All cleaning companies have different area’s that they focus on. They may be local and clean homes but they might specialize in move-outs and move-ins and not homes that are being lived in currently.
You will want to be talking with and interviewing a company that specializes in residential services, if you are a home owner. Another advantage of a local company is that they more more likely to be bonded, licensed, and insured. This is important to many customers. However, these are added costs that will be pasted onto the consumer.

As a home owner the fact that someone is bonded and insured is of no practical use to the home owner. Bonds are more for those companies that are dealing with financial issues and who gather credit information. So the fact that your cleaning service is bonded doesn’t mean much. As for insurance, they are covered by your home owners policy. Again, having insurance as a house cleaning service may be of no benefit to the home owner. Finally, the fact that some one is licensed may not be of much use either. It just states that the cleaner has paid for the right to do business in a geographic area and that they have a physical location.

I bring these matter to your attention because I have offered them when I owned a janitorial service and cleaned mostly businesses. Here you mostly could not get your foot in a door without these qualifications. Interesting thing about this is that no one ever checked my policies to see if they where in effect. So while being licensed, insured, and bonded may sound good., in reality they seldom offer the home owner any protection. What they do is to raise the cost of doing business.

Now, as a one man operation my opinions are skewed in my favor. However, I am attempting to provide my readers with quality information. I would like to hear from other cleaners on this subject.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these three vendors. First, the independent agent, of which I am. This vendor works by themselves. The big advantage is that you know who is going to show up every time. Since it is your home, many customers like the idea of having only one person in their home at a time.

Many customers feel much safer knowing the same trusted person will be at their home on a regular basis. All of my customer, that are home during the cleaning process, and I have developed a close bond, or friendship. If this suits your personality, then I strongly recommend considering a one person operation.

A big advantage here is that every one knows what to expect. The cleaner over time learns your life style patterns. This person, that arrives on a regular basis, knows exactly what will need attention. This regular schedule will also allow the cleaner to finish the job more quickly over time. They will also get to know you and your wants and needs. You will not have to spend time directing them on what needs to be done.

The only down side that I can see with a crew of one is that it will take longer to complete a project. So if you are experiencing a time constraint then they would not be a good choice. Also a crew of one may not be a good choice for a very large house. I usually limit myself to houses under 2500 sq. ft. They are also not likely going to be available for emergencies.

So you have decided on your three vendors to interview: Now, you should get a pen and paper and go on a house tour. I recommend that you write down what you expect to be done in each room and how often that you would need these chores completed. Then repeat this in every room taking very detailed notes.

You will need to decide how much detail work that you require. This is what I call “the needs, wants, and desires” of house cleaning. Do you want the inside of you fig/freezer cleaned and if so how often?

Also, do you expect to have your windows cleaned as a regular part of the cleaning process.This is very important, as not all services provide this service. I for one do not clean windows. I consider this a specialty cleaning area much like carpet cleaning or chimney sweeping. However, many home owners will gladly pay to have their carpets cleaned. Yet, they think cleaning windows should be a natural part of house cleaning and at no additional cost.

It’s your home so make sure you have done your homework prior to any interviews. Also, remember, the interview process is a two way street. Both parties involved will be deciding whether they will be working together. Well, at least that’s how I work. I generally turn down about 60% of the work that comes my way.

I have decided that since I am a one person operation that I can be choosy. I can only do so many accounts in a week. So I accept only those jobs where I can make the biggest difference. I only work for those who truly appreciate a clean home. My business is built on regular customers on regular schedules. I seldom do one time cleaning. So this sets me apart from most companies that will take any job that comes along.

Never have work provided with out a written bid: Most quality cleaning service will provide you with a free cleaning consultation. Do not over look these offers. It allows to explain clearly what you want, need, and desire from a cleaning service. Every home and home owner are different and have unique needs.

I would suggest that you get at least three different bids from three different types of vendors. You should consider an independent agent, a franchise operation, and a local cleaning service company. This will give you a good idea of services available and price ranges.

Now you must decide: What kind of service provider to I want to hire? Your options vary from a one person operation, such as Your Fresh Start Cleaning Service, or do you hire a local cleaning service. You will also have options such as franchise operations such as Merry Maids.

When choosing an independent operator you will have the comfort of having the same person clean your home every time. However, this usually is the exception with larger companies. You will also need to determine how many cleaners that you allow into your home for cleaning.

The independent operator such as myself will always take longer to clean then a team of two or more cleaners. So if a time constraint is a factor you might want to consider the team approach.

When choosing a cleaning service: You will be faced with many options. Many people rely on the recommendation of a someone close to them for a reference. About a third of my business has been through a referral. However, about a third of my customers have stated they had experienced bad service through a referral. So remember this everyone has a different level for what they expect from a cleaning service. What may be acceptable to a friend or co-worker may not meet your needs.