Help wanted
Whether it is work or play, it's not hard to come up with something you'd rather do than clean the house. The first step is finding
the right help so you can start enjoying all of that free time. Some people opt for a well-known company, while others swear by the
army of no-nonsense cleaning ladies that service their neighbourhood. A great place to start is with referrals from family, friends
and neighbours. If you live in a condo, chances are the concierge has a line on a reliable cleaning person/company.
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When you're bringing someone into your home, your number-one concern is reliability. "There's a huge element of trust
involved," acknowledges Amelia Mackie, franchise owner of Molly Maid Mississauga South. Referrals go a long way, but professional companies
also offer an added measure of security by providing staff that are fully insured and bonded (always double check and inquire about the
level of insurance). "We also do a criminal record check on everyone we hire," she says.
A quick search of the Internet will come up with tons
of residential cleaners, but while you're at it, you might want
to peruse HomeStars,
where members of the public can write and read reviews on everything
home-oriented, from contractors and roofers to residential cleaners.
If you're afraid that you're about to hire a dud, this is a great
place to find out.
The price of freedom
Rates vary widely according to the size of your home, how long it takes to clean, whether you have pets, the number of people who live
there and the services you require. There is sometimes a premium for the first cleaning, which tends to take longer.
Independent cleaners charge $15 to $30 an hour, while
larger companies start at about $30-plus an hour (expect that to
double if there are two cleaners at work). An initial meeting and
tour of the house will determine the cost, which should remain constant
from cleaning to cleaning, unless you request extra services. "We
usually ask the customer to do a walk-through with us," says Mackie,
who takes note of items in the home that might require special maintenance.
Thursday and Friday are the most requested days for service, and the majority of people opt for a thorough cleaning every
two weeks. Maker says her price ranges from $70 to $150 per visit, and she also offers a touch-up service for the off week, which basically
involves cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.
