by Melodee Hicks, President/Owner Maid Your Day, Inc., 4/01/08

Think maid service is unattainable? Think only the rich have maids? Think again. Maid service today can be very affordable and make your life so much easier. Helping you have time for more important things like family, sports and just plain relaxing.

Here are some helpful hints if you are seeking to hire a cleaning company.

1) Do your research first. Make sure you get at least 3 quotes for maid service. Many franchise services are a lot higher priced than privately owned services.

2) Find a company that has a good reputation. There are excellent websites such as BeanPool.com that rank service companies and give consumer testimonials.

3) Choose a company that has insurance. This protects you in case of any damage or theft to make sure your home and belongings are covered while the maid service is there.

4) Ask about “Pay-in-advance Discounts”. Most maid companies need the cash flow. Once you find a service you like ask if they offer a discount for payment in advance.

5) Make sure you tidy up your house before your cleaning day. Pick up dirty clothes, toys, bathroom counters and do your dishes. This way the maids spend their time cleaning your home. All maids have an allotted time to spend on your home. They have a schedule of customers for the day. Unless you’re paying an hourly rate they really can’t stay all day.

6) Ask what cleaning products they use. Letting them know what you like only ensures you get more value from your service. Don’t be afraid to request something specific.

7) Look for different payment options. Make certain in advance that the company will accept the method of payment you prefer: cash, check, or credit card.

8) Expect helpful customer service. Make sure the customer service person or persons you speak with are pleasant and helpful when you call.

9) If you desire a regular cleaning schedule ask for recurring appointments. Schedule your cleaning for the same time and day so you will know when to expect your service.

10) Ask for the same team each time. You deserve to feel comfortable with your maids and maids work much better and more efficient when they are cleaning houses they “know”.

11) Schedule the first appointment of the day. If you prefer to be home when your house is cleaned keep in mind your appointment time will become less exact as the day goes on.

Melodee Hicks, President/Owner Maid Your Day, Inc., lives in Alpharetta with her husband Scottie, a firefighter, and their four children ages: 10, 9, 6 and 9 months. If you would like more information on Maid Your Day’s services please call us at 770-993-7075.