Maid To Order: How To Hire House Keeping Help You Can Trust
Posted June 20, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
They come into your home, tramp through the rooms where you keep your most private possessions, have access to all your sensitive areas and generally have the run of the place alone.
And you invited them in.
It can be a scary thing to contemplate having a stranger in your house when you’re not around, even if it’s just the maid or a house cleaning service you’re paying to look after the place. Most will do exactly what’s advertised and leave your residence spotless and undisturbed. But it doesn’t always work out that way.
Nancy Jarrell found that out firsthand when she hired a maid to clean her home while she was away on vacation.
Not only was the maid not finished the job when she returned, she later discovered several damaged items.
“So I came home expecting to have a fully clean house, and I’ve got a cleaning lady standing on a stool cleaning the light.”
Upon closer inspection the light fixture was broken. Jarrell later discovered more problems.
“This is a one-of-a-kind bowl because it was an appreciation gift from my students when I was teaching. There’s a huge chip out of here, all through here,” she said, pointing out the damage. “She did not tell me about the bowl once she left, and I noticed this right away. And the vacuum cleaner, I went to use it and it didn’t work.”
Some maids allegedly do more than just clean, and several have been caught stealing with hidden cameras. To protect yourself, do a background check and make sure the maid comes with insurance. If they don’t, it could be trouble.
“You can also be sued for lost wages. Ask to see the papers. Ask for a copy of them. Liability should be minimum $1 million coverage,” advises Molly Maid franchise owner Kim Dunn.
Finally, cleaning services should be a pay-as-you-go type of service. Do not sign a contract. Do not give money up front, and make sure you clearly state what you would like done in the house.
Here’s some more things to consider before hiring a housekeeper or a maid.
Top 5 Tips About House Cleaning Services
