Cost Analysis
The first issue to consider when researching house cleaning prices is the initial cost analysis, which means an assessment of the relative value of the cleaning service to the price charged. The easiest way to calculate this figure is to factor in the amount of time it would take you, personally, to clean the area involved, and the rate at which your time is professionally valued.
Comparing this number to the projected cost you would pay for a professional cleaning service to do the task will reveal whether you should employ one. For people who have limited time and/or enough disposable income, it is often a worthwhile expense to employ a house cleaning service.
Even for customers who have an excess of disposable income, it is still important to determine needs ahead of time so that you are fully prepared when you contract a house cleaning professional.
Total Area
The size of the house to be cleaned is the most obvious consideration to take into account. It is not always necessary to contract a cleaner for the entire house; pinpointing which areas of the house are in the most dire need of regular cleaning, and then only hiring a cleaner to service those areas, is the best way to maximize the benefits while limiting house cleaning prices.
For example, a customer may contract a cleaner to do the first floor of the house, limiting the area to the highest-traffic rooms. The living, kitchen, and dining areas require the most cleaning due to high rates of use, importance of antibacterial techniques, and appearance when entertaining guests.
Some customers may also feel more comfortable contracting a house cleaner for more public spaces within the house because it lowers the risk of theft of personal items such a jewelry, clothes, or important documents which are easy to steal from bedrooms if left unattended.
Thus, designating a specific area to be cleaned is a helpful step in the process of estimating house cleaning prices. While some companies and cleaners may want to know square footage ahead of time, usually the number of rooms and a general description of size is enough for reliable pricing.
Location Of House
The location of the house is also relevant to house cleaning pricing. Urban areas may be more expensive than suburban areas, due to the relative higher costs involved in any industry in a city. Independent contractors may charge higher house cleaning prices as needed due to a higher cost of living, as well as for essential tools such as cleaning supplies. The relative convenience of transportation will also affect house cleaning prices.
If the house in question is in an isolated area, the increased cost of transportation due to fuel expenses will affect the pricing. When discussing pricing with a company or independent worker, be aware of how these factors can influence the price to a minor extent. If several neighbors are interested in procuring cleaning services, it is a good idea to seek a group discount, either based on the decreased cost to the cleaner or out of appreciation for the referral to new customers.
Special Considerations
Certain special considerations may change house cleaning prices. If rare or delicate materials are used in the furniture or the surfaces within the house, such as porous or high-maintenance marble counters, this may warrant the use of particular cleaning products and techniques, increasing the price. For customers who are concerned about eco-friendliness, specific cleaners advertise special services which may be pricier.
It is important to be honest about special needs for a particular material, as improper cleaning can cause damage which would be more expensive to repair in the long run. Customers with special needs should also monitor the cleaner during the first few sessions in order to ensure that the right amount of caution is being taken, and that they are not being charged extra without receiving the right service.
Finding A Cleaning Service
The two most common ways to find a cleaning service are through research into cleaning companies, and word of mouth recommendations of individual cleaners. Consumers living in urban areas will have a variety of choices due to the density of service industries; this increased competition should increase the ease of finding the lowest house cleaning prices without sacrificing quality.
A legitimate cleaner will readily provide 3-4 references in order to prove their competence and trustworthiness.
Comparison Shopping & Special deals
Comparison shopping is the best way to find the right service. This can even be accomplished through a probation period in which multiple cleaners/companies have trial sessions with the house, so that the customer can obtain the highest quality service.
In this case, it is to the customer’s advantage to inform the cleaner of the trial nature of the employment, as this may lead to cleaner to offer special deals to lower the house cleaning price.
Scheduling, Estimates & Negotiations
A good way to accurately estimate the cost is to look for customer testimonials. A personal acquaintance or friend may be able to provide information on the pricing of their house cleaning by the room or square footage. If not, internet research can provide the necessary information. Whether the cleaner will be working on a daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis will also affect the house cleaning prices.
What To Expect
Once all of these considerations have been accounted for, the customer should be able to make a clear estimate of the prices for their house cleaning needs. If any information is still unclear, an open discussion with the cleaner can also be helpful.
When interviewing a prospective cleaner, ask for specific details about their method of pricing and their relationships with previous clients. This not only provides security, but also enables the customer to gain certainty about pricing.
While an unreliable cleaner may bluff about prices or seem unable to explain why they charge specific rates, an experienced cleaner will be able to provide accurate information justifying their house cleaning prices.