topic Re: Maid Service in Community Chat

Maid Service

Summer Shine — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 20:18:56 GMT

Has anyone used a maid service that would like to share their experience? I am interested in hiring a maid service for my 85-year-old father he has lots of problems getting around multiple health issues so I would like someone to come out and help with vacuuming,dusting, bathroom, kitchen cleaning, that sort of thing. If you used a service were you satisfied with them? Any tips, I really dont know anyone to ask for references, just been reading reviews.I'm wondering if I should use a chain or just a small local business, how prices compare, do you sign contracts- really any information/ suggestions you might have. TIA

Re: Maid Service

Love my grandkids — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 20:23:04 GMT

@Summer Shine Years ago when my late DH was very ill, I hired a company (this was in Southern Calif.) called Merry Maids.

They did only the things I requested and did a fabulous job. I had framed pieces of cross stitch on the wall and said specifically "do not touch or dust them." They didn't. We were both home at the time.

I used them 3 times and requested the same team each time. We tipped them generously as they did chores I was just too exhausted to take care of.

I was more than pleased with them.

I would suggest you go on nextdoor . com (it's easy to join) and post there for references too. Our local ND and local only FB sites are a wealth of good advice.

Re: Maid Service

scatcat — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 20:34:33 GMT

We've had cleaning ladies for years. I suggest asking neighbors who they use and recommend. I also suggest taking anything with any value out of the house until you trust them. (My ladies do multiple families in my neighborhood and are trustworthy- they'd lose all their clients).

You should tell them upfront what you expect from them and ask if they charge by the job or by the hour and if they bring their own supplies

asking on Nextdoor Neighbor app is a great idea too

Re: Maid Service

Mz iMac — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 21:29:58 GMT

@Summer Shine You have already received excellent responses. The only thing I would add is that which ever firm you hire, make sure they are BONDED.

Re: Maid Service

Mz iMac — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 21:46:17 GMT

@Love my grandkids I've used Merry Maids for about 15 yrs. Excellent!!!!! I had the same 3 person crew for all those years-mother, daughter & a cousin. Then about 3 yrs ago, they started their own cleaning business. I was one of their first customers who jumped ship.

Now just the daughter & the cousin clean my apt. Mom & hubby run the business which they say is booming as they mostley clean "retail" businesses now. The only house cleaning they do now are the ones who "jumped ship" & the clients they recommended.

Re: Maid Service

RedTop — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 22:47:25 GMT

Do your homework before you make your choice! I do not have a personal experience with a cleaning service in my home. However, I have a cousin who has a local cleaning service, and have never recommended her business when asked.

My husband had a horrible experience with a home health nurse. This assistance was set up for us thru the VA, and was an agency they had used for years; not our choice. The regular group of nurses were awesome, but then one day a new nurse walks in that is clearly under the influence of drugs. The nurse was ordered to leave our property, and the proverbial **** hit the fan at full speed at that point. Believe it or not, that agency was not drug testing new hires, or doing random testing of their employees, but they do now!

I would be extremely cautious with hiring people you don't know to clean your dads home.

Re: Maid Service

suzyQ3 — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 23:12:33 GMT

We've never had good luck with a company. I think the best way to find someone who not only does an excellent job but is also reliable and and trustworthy.

You can find personal recs on Nextdoor. com, as others have mentioned. It easy to sign up.

Re: Maid Service

Mistreatedbycs — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 23:53:58 GMT

I hired Merry Maids and it was the worst experience I had, I was selling my mom's house and thought it would alleviate my stress load to just hire someone and "give me a hand". Turn your back and those gals were on their phone and not working, the quality of cleaning in a bathroom was very poor, remember what's clean to you may not be the same as your expectations.

Another time my grandmother had "this lady" come over and help with cleaning and washing floors etc. Needless to say, her antiques disappeared one by one, my grandmother literally sat on her money so that didn't disappear but other "things" did.

Also not a good idea to have a stranger in the same house as your single dad, yes, I know he's 85 but in this world, there's a lot of people who can make claims and you open yourself to some ridiculous lawsuit.

Are you sure you can't perform those duties, I made the time and now that my mom is gone, I wouldn't of changed a thing. I would scrub every nook and crannie just to have her back again.

Re: Maid Service

kivah — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 02:42:45 GMT

@Summer Shine wrote:
Has anyone used a maid service that would like to share their experience? I am interested in hiring a maid service for my 85-year-old father he has lots of problems getting around multiple health issues so I would like someone to come out and help with vacuuming,dusting, bathroom, kitchen cleaning, that sort of thing. If you used a service were you satisfied with them? Any tips, I really dont know anyone to ask for references, just been reading reviews.I'm wondering if I should use a chain or just a small local business, how prices compare, do you sign contracts- really any information/ suggestions you might have. TIA

The best place to find a maid - or any other service - is on nextdoor dot com. People live within a few miles from u - and you'll get several recommendaitons "from neighbors." I've found quite a few referrals from this site - and they were all good. Also, don't leave valuables in his home - jewelry, money, checkbook, expensive things - or things that are meaningful. I think it's a good idea to have cameras - inside and outside. We have to be safe.

Re: Maid Service

Still Raining — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 16:38:08 GMT

When the kids were at home, I had them come every week, but cut back to biweekly later.

I always used a licensed, bonded service so I didn't have to keep rehiring.

You need to agree about exactly you want done. Sheets, garbage, ovens.....

Never had any losses.

Re: Maid Service

SloopJohnB — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 16:44:25 GMT

@Mistreatedbycs A little straying from the point of the original post, but I just wanted to say, I love your last sentence. I echo that sentiment completely. Hence, my signature line. 💔

Re: Maid Service

ECBG — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 16:45:29 GMT

@Summer Shine

A full time career and a family! I was killing myself using my only day off to clean.

I used a local cleaning group until the pandemic killed the business and they became unreliable.

I went to my local Angie's List and read all kinds of group's reviews in my area. I asked that they call me. It's been heaven sense then.

I went with Maid Pro which is a national group. They leave their checklist behind for you, you can leave a check or your account is debited.

They will spray your oven and wipe it down as well as wipe out your refrigerator, services I asked not be done.

LOVE THEM!!!!!!

Re: Maid Service

Mz iMac — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:49:39 GMT

@ECBG Maid Pro & Merry Maids are the top 2 & in compitition w/each other in my neck of the woods.

FWIW: Maid Pro in my area have their own vehicles if their employees do not want to use their own vehicles.

Re: Maid Service

ECBG — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:54:43 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@ECBG Maid Pro & Merry Maids are the top 2 & in compitition w/each other in my neck of the woods.

FWIW: Maid Pro in my area have their own vehicles if their employees do not want to use their own vehicles.

@Mz iMac

The side of our driveway is a 15 foot drop over the edge. All three girls came in their own cars! We played musical cars to get them out! It was funny! With DH and I, there were 5!

Re: Maid Service

drizzellla — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:19:01 GMT

OK - I admit I am addicted to the show Hoarders. Please do not think that your Father's house is remotely resembling a house that would appear on Hoarders.

But I must say, I am impressed how nice most of the houses clean up and in a short period of time. No sooner is the debris cleared out, the people come in to scrub and clean the house.

The two companies that I see most frequently are Service Pro and Merry Maids. I always think when they are done cleaning. If they can make a hoarded house look that good imagine what they can do to make a "normal" person's house clean.

Re: Maid Service

Melzie — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:21:19 GMT

@Love my grandkids wrote:
@Summer Shine Years ago when my late DH was very ill, I hired a company (this was in Southern Calif.) called Merry Maids.

They did only the things I requested and did a fabulous job. I had framed pieces of cross stitch on the wall and said specifically "do not touch or dust them." They didn't. We were both home at the time.

I used them 3 times and requested the same team each time. We tipped them generously as they did chores I was just too exhausted to take care of.

I was more than pleased with them.

I would suggest you go on nextdoor . com (it's easy to join) and post there for references too. Our local ND and local only FB sites are a wealth of good advice.

I noticed that you said you tipped the cleaning people. Is this something that is the accepted norm for this kind of service or was it just something you chose to do because you were pleased with the service? It seems to me that you're already paying for the service so why tip? I don't tip the guys who cut my lawn so why would I tip a cleaning person? Just wondering as I've been thinking about hiring someone too.

Re: Maid Service

Mz iMac — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:50:37 GMT

@Melzie For the record, the ONLY time I tip my cleaning crew is Christmas (very generous) even if I have them do something not mentioned in the contract. Have done that for over 20+ yrs.

Re: Maid Service

PreKteacher — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 21:05:10 GMT

I think you've already received some excellent advice. I used a cleaning service for about a year right after I had my third child and returned to working outside of the home shortly after. The one thing I would suggest is to remember that sometimes the cleaners might forget something, or not do something well, since they are only human. If that happens, call them right away and let them know very nicely so they can come back out and make it right. It's much better to handle it this way than to start complaining or give them a bad review (unless they are consistently doing a poor job). Good luck!

Re: Maid Service

conniekl — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 00:06:51 GMT

I worked for a cleaning service about 20 years ago. We would work with 2 or more cleaners . We supplied all cleaning rags, soaps etc. We would clean one house and put the dirty rags in a plastic pail. We would go to the next house and bring the pail of dirty rags. I couldn't believe that we had to use the dirty rags from the first house to clean the second house! So, the rag we cleaned the first house bathroom, may be used on the second house kitchen counter!! The vacuums were so old and dirty. This was part time and I lasted a few days before I quit. These houses were beautifil. One house was worth about $700,000 and we cleaned it with dirty rags. Some houses were more normal price range. Some questions to ask ,may be if they supply their own supplies and will your house have clean rags- towels. Maybe you should supply your own cleaning towels. I would ask if they are insured if they break something. My co-worker broke a glass piece that was in a china cabinet. I don't know how that turned out as far a reimbersing them for the cost. I had a neighboe who used Merry Maids and was happy with them.

Re: Maid Service

jannabelle1 — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 00:34:25 GMT

I used one of the major big-name cleaning services some years ago and it was not a good experience. My ex and I would give them the garage opener code each time they came (3 times) - we changed it every time. We were both working and I was young and naive thinking that they were all trustworthy. After the 3rd time I knew I had things missing, but I couldn't prove it.

I agree with the suggestion to use Next Door recommendations for local people. I've had good luck with that. I've never signed a contract, and was never asked to do that. I'm in the Midwest and paid the last person $65 for 2 hours. She cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed and dusted. She would occasionally do a few extra things, but I had to ask her. She did the basics - and nothing more.