ThumbtackHome Resource CenterHow to hire a housekeeper, house cleaner, or maid service

How to hire a housekeeper, house cleaner, or maid service

By Rebecca Nanako Nance•Last updated Aug 28, 2024

Last updated Aug 28, 2024

Step 1: Figure out what type of service you need
Step 2: Establish your budget
Step 3: Search for reliable companies or individuals
Step 4: Ask these questions before signing on the dotted line
Step 5: Prepare your home for the first few visits
Step 6: Build a positive relationship with your house help
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Whether you need a one-time deep clean or regular help with household chores, finding the right support for your home can be daunting. How do you know whether you need a housekeeper, a house cleaner or a maid service? And what's the difference between these three options?

We've put together a comprehensive guide to help you figure out exactly what you need and hire the best professional for the job.

Step 1: Figure out what type of service you need

Before you open your computer or phone, step back and assess your top priorities. For example:

Do you only need a one-time cleaning service to help you move out?
Are you looking for weekly support to help you stay on top of household chores?
Does your home need a deep clean in some areas, or just a little tidying up?
Do you need help managing your home, such as laundry, grocery shopping, and meal prep?

These are important questions to ask before you start searching for household support. Not all teams offer the same services. A housekeeper handles different tasks than a maid, and a maid service may provide different support than a general house cleaner.

Take time to determine what your household needs. This may include deep cleaning, carpet steaming, preparing guest rooms, folding laundry, picking up groceries, or making sure meals are cooked for the family on time.

Once you’ve made a full list of the tasks and services you want, decide how often you need them completed. This can range from semi-annually to once a week or more. With these details in hand, it will be much easier to find the right support for you, your family, and your home.

If you’re not sure how house cleaning, maid, and housekeeping services differ, keep reading.

Hire a house cleaner (or maid service) for ...	Hire a housekeeper for...
Regular house cleaning tasks (dusting, mopping, vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning, etc.)	Household management (organizing, laundry, running errands, grocery shopping, meal planning/cooking, etc.)
Deep cleaning tasks (tile and grout cleaning, steam cleaning, window washing, appliance cleaning, etc.)	Light house cleaning tasks (dusting, making beds, mopping, etc.)

What does a housekeeper do?

Today’s busy schedules often mean growing families need extra support to manage their homes. Between demanding careers, kids, and pets, household chores can take up too many hours of precious free time. When that happens, many homeowners start by looking up local housekeepers — but what exactly does a housekeeper do?

Services may vary depending on the housekeeper. But generally, housekeepers are experts in managing the day-to-day logistics of a large, busy home. They often handle light cleaning such as dusting, mopping, washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, and tidying messy rooms while also making sure pets are fed and beds are made. Compared with house cleaning and maid services, they tend to visit a home more frequently.

Beyond these general duties, housekeepers often have a background in hospitality and previous experience in the home keeping industry. They can help with laundry, errands, grocery shopping, and even picking up the kids from school. If you need help managing weeknight dinners, a housekeeper can even help with meal planning, cooking, preparing, and serving.

In essence, a housekeeper is trained to manage the complicated logistics of a multi-person family and to take care of your home. Some housekeepers are hired part-time, while others work full-time and live in the household to support the home. A housekeeper can become a reliable source of support during busy days and may often start to feel like a member of the family.

If you’ve hired a maid or cleaning service before and still need additional help taking care of the house, a housekeeper could be the right option for you and your family.

What does a house cleaner (or maid service) do?

If a housekeeper doesn’t sound like the best fit, consider working with a house cleaner or maid service to help maintain your home. House cleaners are a good fit for difficult jobs that require deep cleaning or when you want to keep home expenses to a minimum.

New homeowners can benefit from house cleaners when they’re moving out of an old home and into a new one. House cleaners can arrive at a scheduled time and deep clean your home so it looks shiny and new. A house cleaner may be a single individual or a team of cleaners who dedicate a set number of hours to complete the work.

House cleaners are a good choice for difficult jobs like steam cleaning carpets and furniture, scrubbing old grout in the bathroom, wiping down dusty vents, sanitizing appliances, and handling other jobs that require extra elbow grease. Over time, every home builds up layers of dust and grime, and it often takes professional cleaning to finish the job.

A house cleaner may also be a good fit for people on a tight budget. Some homeowners may not be able to afford a salaried housekeeper or ongoing maid expenses, so opting for an annual deep clean can be easier on the wallet.

One last note: “Maid” and “house cleaner” are sometimes used interchangeably in the industry because these two types of services often offer the same cleaning tasks. When deciding between them, make sure you understand exactly what services the maid and house cleaner provide.

Video: House cleaners explain what to look for when hiring a pro.

Step 2: Establish your budget

No matter your household income or how tight your finances may be, you may be surprised to find options for many budgets. Once you know which type of service you’re looking for, decide on a monthly expense that’s affordable for your family.

It’s a good idea to budget high in case you run into extra costs. This gives you some wiggle room and helps ensure the professional is paid on time.

Each housekeeper or cleaning company will charge differently and set rates based on labor costs, supply costs, and other expenses. Some companies in high demand may charge more than newer businesses.

If you find a maid, house cleaner, or housekeeper who fits your family but whose rates are outside your budget, consider using their services for fewer hours instead of choosing someone else altogether. Many professionals will work with you on adjusting their rate, so it always pays to ask.

Remember that your housekeeper or cleaning service can save you countless hours over time, and the free time you’ll have to spend with family and friends can be invaluable.

Step 3: Search for reliable companies or individuals

Once you’ve figured out which service is best for your home and how much you can regularly afford, it’s time to start looking for a reputable individual or company. Remember that a maid, housekeeper, or cleaner will have full access once they’re in your home, so it’s important to find someone you trust.

Maids, house cleaners, and housekeepers become an important part of a household and need to be trustworthy and reliable. If you’ve decided that hiring a professional is the best step for your family and home, take these steps to help ensure a successful hire:

Read customer reviews and ratings. View several professionals’ profiles on Thumbtack to see what customers had to say.
Look at before-and-after photos. Customers often post photos of their dirty, messy homes before the professionals clean them — and afterward, once they’re sparkling clean.
Conduct a background check on potential hires.
Ask for references from previous jobs and clients.
Consider inviting them over for a consultation. That way, they can see the space and create an accurate quote.
Make sure they’re insured and bonded. Although home cleaners are professionals and trained to be careful, accidents happen. That’s why it’s always a good idea to be protected.
Ask if the applicants hold certifications. For example, they may have a Professional House Cleaning (PHC) Certification, or they may be a CIMS Certification Expert (CCE).
Get cost estimates from several local professionals. Take the time to gather cost estimates from multiple companies, and ask each company about the factors affecting its pricing. Some cleaning companies offer a fixed rate, while others work on a per-hour rate.
Inquire about discounts. Depending on the season, your cleaning company may also offer special discounts, deals, or packages that can save you money. For example, you may get a discount for each cleaning if you sign up for monthly cleanings instead of quarterly, or there may be special packages during the holiday season when homeowners are preparing for guests.

Step 4: Ask these questions before signing on the dotted line

When you’ve finally found the housekeeper, maid, or home cleaner that’s right for the job, it’s time to establish an official agreement and get it in writing. This step is important to protect your home in case anything happens in the future.

Before you sign, ask several important questions:

How long have you been providing this service?
Are there any local companies or families who have used your services before?
What does your company’s screening process look like?
What types of cleaning supplies does your team use?
How are your fees calculated, and what does the payment process look like?
What payment methods do you accept?
What is your tipping policy?
Are you bonded and insured?
How much do you charge, and what factors affect pricing?
Exactly what services and tasks will you be performing?
What is your availability?
What will be our main method of communication?
Do you prefer that I or we be in or out of the home while you’re cleaning?
What is your cancellation policy? Who should I contact if issues arise?

Don’t be afraid to get as much information as possible from the candidates you’re considering.

Step 5: Prepare your home for the first few visits

If you’ve made it this far, it’s time to take a deep breath and get ready to relax. By now, you should have a clear understanding of what your housekeeper, maid, or cleaner will take care of and what you can expect from them during each visit.

Although it may surprise you, there are a few things you can do to help your new team succeed in their role. Here are a few simple ways to prepare your home and family for the first visit:

Train them on the alarm system. If you have an active alarm system, be ready to show your new housekeeper how to use it and who to call in case of an emergency. If a cleaning team is arriving while you’re away, make sure the alarm system is disabled.
Show them where cleaning supplies are stored. A new maid or cleaning service will likely bring plenty of supplies, but show them where your home’s cleaning supplies are stored in case they need extra.
Give them your contact information. Make sure they know who to call with questions if you don’t plan on being home during the visit.
Give your neighbors a heads up. It can also be a good idea to alert your neighbors if you live in a protected neighborhood. You may even want to introduce the new team to your next-door neighbors.
Tell them where to park. Make sure they know where to park their vehicles to avoid being cited.
Tell them which door and/or elevator to use. You may also need to specify which door or elevator to use if you live in an apartment building and they plan to bring in bulky cleaning equipment.
Secure your pets. Don’t forget to secure your pets until you receive approval from the maid, housekeeper, or cleaner that they’re comfortable with the animal being loose.
Map out nearby grocery stores and hardware stores to help the housekeeper when they need to pick up food or supplies.
Hide personal and valuable belongings. Put away personal belongings and, if necessary, designate a “do not clean” room to store items like electronic equipment or large valuables you don’t want the cleaners to touch.

Finally, remember that this is a new change for both you and the other party. It may take time and a few visits to work through any complications until everything is running smoothly.

Step 6: Build a positive relationship with your house help

Your new maid, housekeeper, or cleaning team puts a lot of time, energy, and expertise into taking care of you, your family, and your home. It’s important to remember that there are things you can do to return the favor.

Make sure your new staff is happy and comfortable in their new roles in your home. Consider the following to help your professional relationship last:

Give them a full tour of your home. Show them where they can find water or other refreshments if needed.
Ensure your home’s thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature. It’s inconsiderate to expect your team to do hard work when it’s above 75 degrees in the house.
Ask about allergies. Make sure your maid or housekeeper doesn’t have allergies to your pets or certain foods.
Give your team space to do their job. They are professionals, so you don’t need to worry about going into another room while they work.
Remember to show your appreciation. Even though you are paying them, tipping and verbal gratitude can go a long way.
Leave a review and refer friends. If you’re working with a small business, leave a positive online review and refer friends to help them grow.

The better your relationship with your cleaning service or housekeeper, the smoother things will go and the happier your home will be.

Hire a housekeeper, maid, or cleaning service on Thumbtack today

There are important differences between these three services, so it’s a good idea to sit down and understand your home’s needs. Write down what you need help with and what your budget is before reaching out to individuals or companies. Take extra steps to make sure you feel safe and comfortable with your new household help.

So, what are you waiting for? Hiring a housekeeper, maid, or home cleaner can transform the quality of your home and maximize your free time. Browse local cleaning companies, independent housekeepers rated as top professionals, or affordable maid companies on Thumbtack. Your beautiful, clean home is only a click away.

A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.

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