House cleaning service isn’t like getting an oil change—they aren’t one-size-fits-all. Every home is different and so every home will need something different from a cleaning company. Researching Portland cleaning companies and wondering about cost of service is not the first step for someone looking for a new maid service. The first step is knowing what you want from that new maid service.
What to look for in Portland cleaning companies
Because each home is unique and will be need customized attention, hire a cleaning service that offers a free in-home estimate before beginning their work. This estimate should be a review of your home and your expectations: what services you want performed, how often, and any extra services you would like in addition to standard offerings.
Reputable house cleaning services base their pricing on the extent of services you want and the size of your home. The larger the home, the more time it will require to spend cleaning it and the greater the price will be. This is a standard for the industry. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms you have, any special features, or extensive square footage will all be considerations. Here is what you can expect as a typical menu of services from a professional house cleaning company.
Standard Services
All rooms will have…
- Floors vacuumed and mopped depending on the surface
- Cobwebs removed, baseboards and woodwork dusted
- Shelves and closets dusted, window sills and frames wiped
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures dusted and light switches wiped
All kitchens will have…
- Sinks and counters cleaned
- Cabinets wiped down
- Microwave cleaned inside and out
- Stove, dishwasher and refrigerator cleaned
All bathrooms will have…
- Bathtubs and showers cleaned
- Toilets thoroughly cleaned and sanitized
- Cabinets wiped down
- Sinks, counter tops and mirrors cleaned
These are the services you can expect every time the house cleaning services are performed and should be built into the cost of the maid service. What will also factor into your cost is the frequency of cleaning. Professional cleaners will give you the choice of weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, monthly or periodic servicing. But be aware that the longer it is between cleanings, likely the longer it will take to accomplish these tasks. Scheduling frequent visits from your cleaning company can actually be just as cost effective as an occasional cleaning.
Non-Standard Services
The services listed below are not part of the standard house cleaning agreement, but most professional maid services will provide these for a reasonable extra charge. As long as you schedule your services ahead of time, your assigned cleaning team will be prepared for the additional services. If there is something else you need help with that is not on the standard or non-standard list, depending on your service provider, they may be willing to help you with additional tasks upon request.
Oven cleaning- Window cleaning (inside only) and wipe window tracks
- Refrigerator cleaning (inside) or freezer (if it is empty)
- Wipe or vacuum blinds
- Wipe, dust and spot clean walls
- Sweep front porch, patio or decks
- Sweep garage or carport
- Clean ashes from fireplace
Beware Cost of Service Tricks: the Low-cost or Sight-unseen Estimate
One of the factors in choosing which house cleaning companies in Portland you will consider will naturally be the cost of service, but you also must factor in quality of service, reputation and trustworthiness. Most reputable cleaning services will want to come to you and provide a free in-home estimate so they can be sure they give you an accurate price based on all the information they need. Someone who offers you a drastically low rate or an estimate without knowing anything about your home is a provider you should be wary of.
They will likely increase your rate on the spot, do a sloppy or inept job because they’re not being paid fairly for their work or provide unreliable service showing up once and then never show up again because the pay isn’t reasonable for the work done. The other main risk with accepting a low-ball offer is that you may be transacting with a provider that is not properly bonded and insured. Learn more about how to determine what maid service is right for you.
What you’re buying when you pay for house cleaning services is more than a well mopped floor – it’s peace of mind. When your house is clean, you can relax and truly enjoy your home. Schedule an in-home estimate for our house cleaning services. We use certified green supplies, are bonded, insured, and always offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re looking for excellent house cleaning services in Portland, Beaverton or Gresham, call us now!