How to Find the Best Housekeeper
Let your home shine while you enjoy more free time
Hiring a home cleaning service is a great way to free up some of your time and keep your home pristine. You’ll want to hire a house cleaner whose schedule and services meet your needs and who you can trust. Here are eight tips to find a housekeeper you won’t want to live without.
1. Determine How Often You Need Cleaning
Before you start your search for a housekeeper, establish how often you want them to come in.
A regularly scheduled housekeeper performs light cleaning on a daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. This can include wiping down or dusting surfaces, tidying and straightening belongings, dishwashing, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, bathroom and kitchen cleaning, trash removal, making beds, and changing linens. Some housekeepers will even charge to run errands, cook, or shop.
If you don't clean your home regularly and haven't done so for an extended period, you likely need a one-time house cleaner to perform a deep clean before you can hire a housekeeper. You may hire a one-time service before moving or once a year to refresh your space.
A live-in housekeeper performs similar tasks as a scheduled one but on a full-time basis. In addition to their compensation, they receive living quarters in the home or within a separate structure on the property. Some families even pay live-in housekeepers to take care of children.
2. Decide If You Want an Independent Cleaner or a Home Cleaning Company
Many house cleaning businesses are simply individual housekeepers operating as sole proprietors, while others are larger companies that hire multiple housekeepers as employees. When deciding whether to hire a cleaning company vs. an individual, consider these pros and cons of each.
Independent House Cleaner
Individuals tend to charge less than larger companies because they have less overhead. They may also offer more flexible, customized services. You’ll develop a more personal relationship with them the longer they work for you.
However, they may not be bonded and insured, or they may have minimal coverage. This means they may not be liable to cover the cost if they damage something or get hurt on the job. Mitigate your risk by getting an agreement in writing before they start working for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Develop a personal relationship | No coverage when sick or on vacation |
| Fewer people enter the home | May not be licensed, bonded, or insured |
| Lower prices | Homeowners are responsible for background checks |
| More services | |
| Flexibility |
Home Cleaning Company
Cleaning companies hire multiple professionals as employees to offer a standard set of services. They may send a team of housekeepers to a home to increase efficiency. Because they have many employees, they can offer more reliable service without lapses due to sickness or time off. They also tend to have a formally vetted staff with licensing and insurance.
The tradeoff is in price and flexibility. Higher overhead translates to higher costs, and standard procedures mean there’s less room to negotiate add-on services or reschedule cleaning at the last minute. The service may feel less personal with so many different faces, though some homeowners prefer that.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Conduct their own background checks | Higher costs |
| Able to provide replacement coverage | May have to deal with different employees in your home regularly |
| Typically licensed, bonded, and insured | Fewer services |
| Train employees on a set of standards | Less flexibility |
| Higher efficiency |
3. Get Referrals and Check Out Reviews
A good way to start looking for a great housekeeper is by asking your family, friends, neighbors, and others you trust for recommendations and referrals.
You can look for referrals using online resources like Angi. The process is simple:
Search Angi's database of top-rated house cleaners near you.
Reach out to multiple service providers (we recommend talking to at least three).
Gather quotes and inquire about the specific services they offer so you can compare.
Find the best fit for your home and your needs.
4. Interview the Service or Cleaner
Ideally, it's best to chat with the individual who will clean your house. But with larger cleaning companies, you’ll likely talk with a representative who handles new clients. No matter which path you choose, prepare a list of questions to ask a house cleaner:
How many years of experience do you have cleaning homes?
Who is responsible for the cleaning supplies?
What type of cleaning supplies are used?
What guarantees do you offer, and are you insured?
What are your rates?
Do you charge hourly or by service? If hourly, what can you usually accomplish in three hours?
Do you offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly services?
What days and times do you have open in your schedule for our home?
What are your terms of service? (i.e. rules or fees for changing and canceling services)
Do you have references of other clients I can talk to?
Will it be one cleaner or several who come to the home? Will it be the same crew each time?
In addition to regular cleanings, do you offer one-off services like a deep spring clean or an extra session before a special event like a party?
What extra services do you offer?
5. Ask for a Background Check and Verify Liabilities
Your house cleaner will have access to your personal space and be near your family, so ensure they are trustworthy and responsible. Ask if the cleaning company does background checks on their employees and if the service maintains liability insurance. Go over details about liabilities such as damaged items or an on-site injury, and get the agreement in writing, if possible.
In most cases, a residential housekeeper doesn’t need to have a specific license to become a housekeeper.
6. Create an Agreement
Once you've decided on a cleaning service, outline the details of your arrangement. Decide how often they'll come, what services or hours will be included, and a price. Include what rooms, floors, and items will be cleaned. Discuss any specifics about your home, such as keepsake dishes to dust or new flooring that needs to be handled in a certain way. Take a walk through your home and note any details you want to relay to your cleaner.
If you’re working with a cleaning company, you may wish to define this in a contract. If it’s an individual cleaner, you might feel comfortable without an official agreement.
Most house cleaning services need a couple of weeks’ notice before their first visit, so get on their calendar sooner than later—especially if you need help cleaning and organizing during the holiday season.
7. Define Tasks and Responsibilities
When your house cleaners come, you want them to be able to focus on cleaning surfaces and spaces, not moving aside your clutter or clearing off your kitchen counter. Knowing what to do before your house cleaner arrives helps maximize their time and ensure they're comfortable in your home.
That’s why we recommend sticking around during the first few house cleanings to answer any questions that arise during the service. Once you and your house cleaning pro are on the same page about cleaning tasks and responsibilities, you can leave the house while they work.
Here are some things to take care of before your cleaner shows up:
Put away jewelry, valuables, and fragile items in a safe place
Pick up clutter where your cleaner will be working
Clear away your dishes, as most house cleaners won’t wash dishes but will want to scrub your sink and countertops
8. Consider a Trial Period With the House Cleaner
Once you've interviewed a few candidates and found one you like, you don't have to commit fully right away. Instead, ask if they'll offer a paid trial period of two to four weeks. This gives the house cleaner a fair chance to get used to your specific expectations and adjust accordingly.
As the trial period ends, assess their capabilities and determine whether they're right for the job. If you're still unsatisfied after several visits with clear expectations, you're free to end the relationship and continue your search. There's no risk for you, and the house cleaner still gets paid for their time.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a House Cleaner?
Hiring a house cleaner costs anywhere from $120 to $235 per visit, depending on where you live and the size and condition of your home. Homeowners typically spend between $30 to $50 per hour on a cleaner, though deeper cleans and one-time visits may cost more, such as the cost of move-out cleaning services.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the number of people and pets in your household can factor into cleaning costs. Make sure you’re upfront about these details with the cleaner beforehand.
What to Expect Once You Hire a Housekeeper
Once you’ve found the right house cleaner for your needs, they’ll typically conduct an initial assessment of your home to understand your space, cleaning preferences, and any specific areas that need special attention. It’s a great time to chat about things like what cleaning products you prefer and what you’d like the house cleaner to focus on.
After the first cleaning session, you can share your thoughts on what the cleaner nailed and what needs more attention in the future. Open communication and being open to the house cleaner’s suggestions help you maintain a trusting relationship and enjoy a clean home.
Nick P. Cellucci contributed to this article.