How to hire a housekeeper, house cleaning or maid service.

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

Step 1: Figure out what type of service you need.

Before you even open your computer or phone, the first thing you need to do is take a step back and assess what your top priorities are. 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 all your household chores?
• Does your home require a deep clean in areas, or does it only need a bit of tidying up?
• Do you need help with managing your home, such as the laundry, grocery shopping and meal prep?

These are important questions to ask yourself before you begin the process of searching for household support. This is because not all teams are made alike. A housekeeper will manage different tasks than a maid, and a maid service might provide different support than a general house cleaner. 

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

Once you've made a full list of all the tasks and services you're looking for, it's time to determine how often you need these services completed. This can range from semi-annually to once weekly or more. Based on these parameters, it will now be much easier to begin searching for the type of support that is perfect for you, your family and your home. 

If you're not sure how house cleaning, maid and housekeeping service differ from one another, keep reading. 

What does a housekeeper do?

Today's busy schedules often mean that growing families need additional support to manage their homes. Between hectic careers, kids and pets, household chores can take up too many hours of precious free time. When this happens, many homeowners begin their search 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 and hectic home. They often complete light cleaning such as dusting, mopping, washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, and tidying up messy rooms while also ensuring the pets have been fed and the beds have been made. Compared to house cleaning and maid services, they tend to visit a home more frequently.

Beyond these general duties, however, housekeepers have a background in hospitality and will come to you with previous experience in the home keeping industry. They can help you do laundry every day, run errands, go grocery shopping and even pick up the kids from school. If you need help managing your weeknight dinners, a housekeeper can even put together a schedule of meals and help with cooking, preparing and serving. 

In essence, a housekeeper is trained in managing the complicated logistics of a multi-person family and their goal is to take care of your home. Some housekeepers are hired part-time while others work full-time (and live among the household members) to support the home. A housekeeper serves as a reliable source of support during busy days and can often begin 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, then a housekeeper could be the perfect option for you and your family. 

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

If housekeeper doesn't sound like the best fit, then 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 a significant amount of deep cleaning or if you want to keep home expenses to a minimum.

New homeowners benefit from the support of house cleaners if they’re moving out of their old homes and moving into a new home. House cleaners can be called upon to arrive at a scheduled time and deep clean your home so that it looks shiny and new. A house cleaner may be a single individual or a team of cleaners who dedicate a set amount of hours to complete their task. 

House cleaners are perfect for difficult jobs like steam cleaning carpets and furniture, scrubbing out old grout in the bathroom, wiping down dusty vents, sanitizing appliances and performing other jobs that require a special amount of elbow grease. Every home begins to acquire layers of dust and grime after a certain amount of time, and it requires a professional cleaning to truly finish the job. 

A house cleaner may also be a good fit for those who are on a tight budget. Some homeowners may not be able to afford a salaried housekeeper or monthly maid expenses, so opting for an annual deep clean can be much 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 these two options, make sure you understand exactly what services the maid and house cleaner offer.

Step 2: Establish your budget. 

No matter what your household income is or how tight your finances may be, you'll be surprised to find that there are options out there for any household budget. Once you know which type of service you're looking for, decide on a monthly expense that is affordable for your family. 

It's recommended to budget high just in case you run into extra costs. This will give you some wiggle room down the road and ensure that the professional is always paid for on time. 

Each housekeeper or cleaning company will charge differently and set its rates according to labor costs, supply costs and other expenses. Some companies that are in high demand may charge more than those that are just starting out. 

If you find a maid, house cleaner or housekeeper that fits your family but whose rates are out of your budget, consider using their services for fewer hours instead of opting for a different individual altogether. Many individuals will work with you on adjusting their rate, so it always pays to reach out and ask. 

Remember that your housekeeper or cleaning service will save you countless hours down the road, and the free time you'll have to spend with family and friends can be an invaluable gift. 

Related: How much does house cleaning cost?

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 begin searching 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 a team that you trust. 

Maids, house cleaners and housekeepers become an integral 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, there are certain steps you need to take in order to 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. Oftentimes, customers will 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 impacting their pricing scale. Some cleaning companies offer a fixed rate, while others work off of 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 versus quarterly, or there may be special packages offered during the holiday season when homeowners are preparing for special 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 perfect 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. 

But first, you’ll need to 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 impact pricing?
• Exactly what services and tasks will you be performing?
• What is your availability?
• What will be our main method of communicating?
• Do you prefer I/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 in the process, it's time to take a deep breath and get ready to relax. By now, you'll 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 be successful in their role. Below are a few simple ways you can prepare your home and your family for the first visit:

• Train them on the alarm system. If you have an active alarm system installed, be ready to train your new housekeeper on 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 with them, but show them where your home's cleaning supplies are stored in case they need extra. 
• Give them your contact information. Additionally, ensure they know who to call for questions if you don't plan on being home during their 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. Ensure 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 (if you live in an apartment building) to use if they plan on bringing 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 are comfortable with the animal being loose.
• Map out nearby grocery stores and hardware stores to help the housekeeper when they need to go 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, don't forget that this is a new change for both you and the other party. It may take time and a few visits to hash out any complications that may arise 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 with their new roles in your home. Consider the following list to ensure your professional relationship lasts:

• 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 any 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 the other 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, give them a positive online review and referrals to help them grow their business.

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 each of these three services, and 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 the extra steps to ensure 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 for a local cleaning company, independent housekeepers rated as top professionals or affordable maid companies on Thumbtack. Your beautiful and 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."