Things to Consider when Hiring a Housekeeper

We all know how difficult it is keeping a place tidy with kids, a spouse and maybe a four-legged creature. It seems as though you’re in a bent over position from the time you enter the door to the time you get to bed, picking up toys, books, wrappers and clothes. Factor in a busy work schedule and things could really pile up around the house. Cleaning can become a real chore. Paying for housecleaning, if it can be squeezed into the budget can buy you not just a clean home but some much needed leisure time as well.

However let’s not put the cart before the horse, as there are a few things that should be considered before hiring someone to come into your home. These are…

1.    Housekeeper Interview Questions

As you prepare to interview housekeepers, a good idea is to have a list of questions to ask. By asking questions you gather not just information about the person but you gain an idea of their personality and whether they are the best housekeeper for you.

2.    Background check housekeeping candidates

You need to know if that person is trustworthy, because you are entrusting your house and all your assets to a stranger. There are a number of checks that can be made:  Reference checks – this involves contacting the candidates’ personal and professional references as well as prior employers.

Criminal background checks - ask the candidate to provide for a police report.

3.    The Walkthrough/Housekeeping Job Responsibilities

Here is where you and the candidate hash out expectations as housekeeping job responsibilities vary from job to job. You should have a checklist and a document signed by both parties once in agreement of tasks and responsibilities. 

4.    Pay Rates

To determine what housekeeping charges are reasonable you should ask others situated in your area with similar size homes. House cleaners should be paid on the day of service, barring any prior arrangements. Any extra duties outside the agreed scope should be compensated for.

5.    Managing and Evaluating your Housekeeper

So you’ve hired your housekeeper, but there are a few things you should consider in order for things to run smoothly. Ideally in the contract or before hiring mention should have been made of an introductory period of 2-4 weeks.  During which time both you and the housekeeper are learning each other’s expectations and making adjustments where needed.

At the end of this period schedule a meeting to discuss what is working well and what is not, share suggestions or as questions. This is the time where both parties decide whether to continue the working relationship or not.

Should you decide to continue the working relationship, schedule periodic meetings to ensure that good communication is occurring throughout your working relationship. That way, as issues arise, you each have the opportunity to discuss them rather than let them fester.

I hope these tips were helpful to you. While they cannot guarantee the housekeeper from heaven, it could help wheedle out some of the unsuitable ones. I have gone through a fair share of housekeepers and trust me the stories I could tell… But that's a whole new post entirely. :)