Hiring domestic help such as a childcare provider or housekeeper can substantially help your everyday life. However, hiring unqualified and untrustworthy professionals can be a significant risk to you and your belongings without the proper research.
Can You Trust A Housekeeper?
While you have your housekeepers or cleaning services visit your home while you’re at work or away? It is essential to understand the credibility of the professional you are welcoming to your home. In this article, we’ll discuss our top recommendations for ensuring you can trust your housekeeper.
Using a service provider from a reputable company
Local businesses are often priced slightly above independent contractors. However, they offer a lot more security for clients and service providers. Cleaning services companies take the leg work out of hiring, interviewing, and checking references for all employees. They also offer liability measures like insurance and feedback mechanisms for clients to share feedback on their housekeepers.
In addition to the higher price point, these companies may also have other downsides. Many clients appreciate a third-party company doing the screening process for service providers. However, some may want to do this process themselves, such as a discreet online background check service like CheckPeople.com.
These companies may not be able to ensure the same service providers visit your home regularly. For cleaning services that employ several employees, you may have any number of housekeepers in your home. This makes it challenging to build a trust level.
Asking for referrals from friends and family
A great way to find a quality housekeeping service provider is by asking friends and family for their recommendations. You can also check local message boards, online job forums, and local reviews to help narrow down your search.
Once you’ve found a reliable candidate, it is essential to follow through on additional research. This applies even if they come recommended by a friend, family member, or on local message boards. Research can include social media accounts, search results, or even a comprehensive background check through reputable sites like CheckPeople.com. Background check services can provide information like criminal records, civil records, financial information, sex offender status, lawsuits, and potential complaints from other clients.
Tips for interviews and screening of potential housekeepers
Now that you have narrowed down your options for cleaning services, it is essential to conduct interviews. This way, you can find the best fit for you and your family. Some key questions and topics you should cover when interviewing a new housekeeper include:
- How do you establish your rates? What type of tasks are included in this cost?
- Do you provide all cleaning supplies and materials, or is the client expected to supply?
- What type of cleaning equipment is provided, and what cleaning the client should provide equipment?
- What types of products do you use? Are these products safe for children or animals?
- Do you have insurance or liability coverage?
- Do you have any training or specific cleaning experience?
What about insurance?
Insurance for service providers like housekeepers is essential in keeping your housekeeper and home safe. Insurance is most commonly offered by cleaning service companies but can often be provided by independent contractors. When insured correctly, they can protect you as the client if an accident occurs in your home.
The cleaning company or contractor should be responsible for and accept liability for any accidents or accidental damage that may occur in your home during the process of housecleaning by a service provider. This liability insurance should cover the company, employees, and you as the client.
How to Trust a Housekeeper
Establishing a trusting working relationship with your housekeeper is a gradual process. You can find a trustworthy housekeeper you can trust in your home and personal space by following these steps.