Need Advice Cleaning services...

Can anyone recommend a cleaning service/person that they use (other than Molly Maids)? Thanks.

 

http://www.champagneservices.com/

My wife and I did quite a bit of research and settled on this company, and we have been happy with it.

The main reason we picked this company is that it sends ONE cleaner -- the same cleaner -- for our house each time. So the cleaner gets to know the house and our idiosyncracies well. Other cleaning companies seem to send a rotating (different) team of cleaners each time, with all the potential problems that entails.

This cleaning company also accepts criticism and requests over the e-mail and changes the "work order" with instant implementation.

The down side is that one person can take a while to clean the house. That does not bother me much at all, but it might bother others.

 

We have used a lady who has a small family operation. Totally reliable and trustworthy. She'll bring her own equipment and supplies or use yours. Bethy's Cleaning Service. 703 869-3854.

 

We use a commercial cleaning service in our house. The name of the company is not important. However they are getting sloppy. We have used several cleaning services over the years and it is my opinion that we need to change them every six months.

It has been my experience that these cleaning companies are great when they start but tend to get lazy and slack off.

Anyway, I am currently not happy with my current company. They were in my house yesterday and they mopped by floor with a moldy mop. Now my house stinks. I would be embarrassed to have someone come to my house because of the smell.

So my question (finally huh?)

What companies do people feel are the better ones? I will look into the ones discussed on this thread but also interested in other options.

Has anyone used a single person (non-company) cleaner for their house? Is that a viable choice?

I am not looking for a discount cleaner. I am willing to play good money, but I want good service. And I prefer getting someone who I don’t have to fire after six months.

 

We use Clean Sweep, Inc.

I do not recommend Cleaning Authority, We had them prior and it was not consistant. They (someone) took a bottle of purfume from me.

 

That was the case with the first cleaning person who was sent by the company we picked. She was great for a while and then she slacked off. After changing cleaners a couple of times, we finally found someone we liked and the cleaning has been good since.

As with many othe products and services, unfortunately there is no market (and thus no supplier) for good quality at moderate prices. Most people demand the lowest price -- which generally results in low quality as well. There is a small market for ultra high quality, but that means the price is exorbitant.

 

That happened to me several years ago with a company I used to use. So now when I hire someone I tell them exactly what I want them to do and what I don't want them to do:

-I like them to use my mop (who knows what kind of stuff they have cleaned in other people's homes with that mop?) and I like them to use MY vacuum (because of pretty much the same reason).
-I also used to provide clean cut white rags (old cut up towels) so I KNEW where the rags were coming from. I don't have to do this anymore b/c I use Bethy and her rags are always fresh & clean.
-I also instruct the cleaners to clean the toilets LAST/use a seperate cloth for the toilets(don't want toilet germies on the sink handles!!!)
-We have allergy issues in our house so I ask that our cleaners dust our floorboards with a damp cloth.
-I also put away any valuables.
THat is pretty much it. My house is a wreck right now and I am going to go try and clean something....!!!!

 

About how much does Bethy charge? Rough idea only.

 

I live in a single family and she charges me $100. I have referred a lot of business to her, so I don't know if she is giving me a discount to what she charges other people or not. Either way, I'm pretty happy with her. She does come with helpers, just thought I would mention it.

 

Thanks I might give her a call

 

For very reasonable rates, good cleaning and always on time, I would recommend our cleaner Sylvia. She has been coming to my house every 2 weeks for about 2 years now and has never missed a day! Very dependable and hardworking. She always brings a partner to help her and supplies her own cleaning materials. (She bleaches her own mops and rags, so they are always very clean) Cell 571-839-6706.

 

I would recommend my cleaner Miriam. she is very raliable and does a very good job. She comes to our place once and every 3 weeks and never misses a day. she can use her own supplies or could use ours. she has been cleaning our place for 5 years now. Very realible and highly recommend her.

Thanks
Kal

 

I like the idea of dealing with a single person who operates as her own small business, but how do you handle liability?

 

For SFH cleaning, how much do the cleaning services charge? An approximate figure will help.

Thanks!

 

Anywhere from $110-$150 every two weeks depending on the size of your house is what I've found.

 

Thanks...this really helps!

 

Does anybody know if Bethy is still providing cleaning services? I called her twice at this number 703 869-3854 but no response so far.

Thanks!

 

her number is now 703-200-5006

 

I can see advantages and disadvantages of both options (cleaning company v. individual).

So far we have gone through three cleaning services, all of which were companies. The issue we have is that all these companies seem to be great for about the first six months or so, then the quality starts, ever so slowly, slacking off.

I really get annoyed when the cleaning company's attitude is "if you are unhappy, just call us and we will come out again and do it right".

No, I am paying top dollar (we don't use cheap companies) and I expect the work to be done right the first time. I am not expecting the cleaning service to turn my house in to a sterile operating theater, but I do expect actual cleaning (defined by me as making something clean) to be done. I happen to be one of those strange guys who cleans up the kitchen before the cleaners get there. When the boomerangs are not living with us, there is not a lot of stuff to clean.

I am getting to the point where I feel that I have to schedule changing cleaning services every 6-8 months just to keep the cleaning "fresh".

I have been interested in finding an individual to contract with to clean chateau Ozgood. I have never dealt with an individual only companies.

What are some of the disadvantages of using an individual contractor? Cost, availability, liability?

What are some of the questions I need to ask when considering a private contractor?

I am sure that everyone has their favourite lady, as evidenced in the postings in this thread, but that really does not help me in learning how to evaluate a potential contractor if I decide to go independent for my cleaning services.

One of the concerns I have about picking the cleaning woman "every one" uses is that how do I know she will have time to give ME the same service she gives her current clients. There is, of course, only so much an independent contractor can do.

 

There is no way you will "know" if they'll give you the same service. Sounds like you are a bit of a perfectionist, so you may be on an unending quest.

Personally, I prefer - and use - an independent lady, not a commercial company. We have no qualms about talking directly to her if we're unhappy about something (which is rarely), and she is understanding and doesn't take the criticism personally. She, like just about everybody, may have her good days and bad. But she takes ownership of her work, unlike someone who may work for a company who may just figure out the company will "fix" things for them or back them up.

[One of the concerns I have about picking the cleaning woman "every one" uses is that how do I know she will have time to give ME the same service she gives her current clients. There is, of course, only so much an independent contractor can do.[/QUOTE]