How do I ensure I'm hiring a good and reliable housekeeper?
Here are some tips to make sure you choose the best housekeeper:
Verify their license and insurance: See what kind of business licensure the company has — and if they back their work with liability insurance. Requirements depend on your local area so be sure to do your research.
Get several estimates: Contact a few different housekeeping services and compare prices. Make your expectations clear and ask for their estimates in writing.
Read their reviews: A reputable housekeeping company will have positive feedback about their thoroughness, efficiency and responsiveness.
Look at their portfolios: Look for a portfolio of previous work with descriptions of services and before-and-after photos
Find out if they have a guarantee: Ask if the housekeeping service backs their work with a guarantee in case you aren't satisfied.
Ask important questions: Before you hire a housekeeper, ask how they set their prices, what their payment structure is, which services they offer, which products they use and their availability.
For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page.
Do housekeepers work nights, weekends and holidays?
In many cases, a housekeeper will work outside of normal working hours, but you should always verify their terms around off-hours work before you hire. Here are a few considerations you might encounter:
Higher rates: Housekeepers may charge higher rates for work done outside standard hours. For example, the general consensus is that housekeepers typically charge between 1.5 to 2 times their standard rate for weekend work.
Availability: A housekeeper available for night shifts, weekends or holidays may already have steady weekday work, so booking them in advance may improve your chances of securing their services during these off-hours.
What do most housekeepers charge per hour?
You’ll need to reach out to local housekeepers to understand how much they charge for their services. Here are a few factors that might impact prices:
Experience: The more experience a housekeeper has, the more they can charge per hour. Experience can be measured in years, but also how much they have worked in certain situations. For example, housekeepers who have worked with larger households or high-end clients might charge more.
Scope of services offered: Some housekeepers will only offer basic cleaning and organizational services, but others may provide more specialized services, such as the day-to-day running of your home, including errands and grocery shopping. The more services the housekeeper offers, the higher their rates may be.
Normal working hours vs. holidays: Housekeeper rates may be higher outside of normal working hours, such as holidays, weekends or nights. You can typically expect to pay 1.5 to 2 times the standard rates.
Location: Hourly rates vary depending on location. Typically, cities with a higher cost of living will have higher rates.
What tasks do housekeepers typically do?
Housekeepers may offer different services, but here are some things they commonly offer:
Laundry services, including washing, folding and packing away clothes and linen — as well as possible ironing.
Light cleaning of all areas inside your home, including vacuuming, mopping and dusting.
Cleaning surfaces in bathrooms and the kitchen.
Wiping down interior windows.
Changing bedroom linen and making beds.
Grocery shopping and errands.
Cooking or planning meals.
Looking after children (some may offer nanny services).
Ensuring your home is well-organized and maintained.
Housekeepers typically do not offer:
Lawn mowing, maintenance and other garden-related tasks.
Shoveling snow from your front door, stoop or driveway.
Performing home repairs or doing heavy lifting.
How do I determine if I need a housekeeper instead of a house cleaner or maid service?
Housekeepers, house cleaners and maid services seem interchangeable, but they are actually different services.
A house cleaner or maid service typically provides everything from basic tidying to deep cleaning, such as washing windows, scrubbing inside and outside appliances and sanitizing bathrooms and kitchens. You might hire them every week or as needed.
Housekeepers generally encompass a broader range of duties. They take care of lighter cleaning and upkeep tasks around the house. These tasks may include dusting, washing the dishes, changing sheets, cooking a few meals, walking pets and picking up groceries. But the main difference is that housekeepers are generally full-time employees of a single household.
Choosing the right service for you depends on what you require. Do you need just weekly cleaning or a full-time housekeeper's services? If it’s the former, consider hiring a maid service or house cleaner.
What are the benefits of hiring a housekeeper?
Some of the biggest benefits of hiring a housekeeper include:
Eliminating clutter: Your housekeeper will keep everything tidy and organized, so you’ll always know where to find what you need.
Experiencing a deeper clean: From baseboards to light fixtures to ceiling fans, your home will sparkle like never before..
Breathing cleaner air: With regular deep cleaning, you’ll likely notice less dust and fresher air, potentially reducing asthma and allergy symptoms.
Maintaining your home’s value: Regular professional cleaning protects your floors, counters and other surfaces from wear and tear, which helps your home stay in great shape and hold its value.
Gaining more free time: While your housekeeper handles the cleaning, you can focus on work, family or other tasks.
Avoiding physical strain: If bending, stretching and scrubbing is tough on your body, it might be best to leave it to a pro.
