Quarterly Cleaning Service

A few thoughts off the top of my head from the days when I had a cleaning service - it didn't last unfortunately:
- what insurance cover do they have?
- what equipment do they bring or expect you to supply?
- what YOU expect them to do within a certain time
- the level of cleaning you want
- how often and at what time do you want them to come
- access to the property if you're not available?
- how payments are to be made
- is there cover in case of illness / holiday

thank you goldengirl for getting back to me. a friend helped me. Today we have seen reoresebtatuves of 3 cleaning companies - one a Canadian franchise - Molly Maid, and American Franchise - Merry Maid and a local company set up by a woman who was tired of being an accountant and enjoyed cleaning. She was certainly the most flexible and got her quote in first. Still waiting for the other two. Thank you so much for taking the time to contribute to this thread and give me some good hints on what to cover.

have now taken on an agency cleaner not a company cleaner as the agency is cheaper.

How many steps is the cleaner allowed to go up my step ladder to replace a vase or jar on the shelf?

EmilyH If, as I suspect is the case, the cleaner is self-employed then it's up to him/her to make those sorts of judgements, but if you supply the ladder you must ensure it's fit for purpose.

Thank you grannyactivist for getting back to me. Yes its an Aldi Ladder. I looked up some safety guidance and now have a set of sheets in a folder so that I can go through the safety issues. The first person who came only came once before she was too busy with guests etc.!! Now I am waiting for the next on 12th August!!!

Have just read book by Becky Rapinchuk called Simply Clean to get my head round different aspects of cleaning. From this I have devised a yearly roster of day to day work and monthly priorities.