Merry Maids of Hagerstown

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I called Merry Maids out for an estimate on a +-900 square foot rental unit that had just been completely painted. They came out immediately and called me with the estimate, which I thought was a very high, but I had a gift certificate I wanted to try them anyway. She also offered to clean the basement for an addition $50.00. This should have been the sign. I asked why the additional 50 dollars for the basement to which she replied that they would clean up all the cobwebs, sweep the floors and so on. When I said that the entire basement had just been painted including the ceilings, walls, doors, stairs and floor and it certainly couldn't need too much, she just kind of stammered, sidestepped and said they would give it a once over for $20.00 or $25.00. I declined and said we would take care of the basement. I really should have stopped right there. They came out and did their cleaning and collected the $250 (Yes, $250 for a 900 sf with fresh paint and floors) I left on the counter for them. Friday the same week, I checked up on the job they did. It was TERRIBLE. We left the place clear of all trash and swept when they showed up and it was just about that when they left. I never expected them to clean the exterior of the windows but it is standard that the interiors at least get wiped off on a remodel/construction cleaning. Cabinets still had sawdust in them and the floors had drywall dust on them. The new shower still had the stickers on it (they wiped half of this off with a wet sponge and left the other mangled half stuck on the shower) and the new kitchen floor had a couple black scuff marks from the new refrigerator etc..... Not good at all. I checked with my guys next door who were working on the adjoining unit and they got a good laugh out of it. They said the girls weren't there long at all and spent most of the time talking on their phones and smoking. Monday Morning: I call Suzanne at Merry Maids and left a message. She promptly got back to me and this is where it really went south. The first thing she said is that there are two days after a service to complain and it has been a week so she can't do anything. I responded that it was a vacant rental and Friday was my first opportunity to get by. I apologized and asked if there was nothing she could/would do. She bent and said she would have a look. Then more conversation and I keyed her in to what my guys had told me NOT MEANING TO OFFEND but to let her know what was seen of her employees. After this she just got downright nasty. She accused me of lying. She accused us of having made a mess and trying to get her to come back and clean it up. And on and on and on............ In the end I simply said "I didn't call to argue, I just need the unit clean and rental ready which it is not." And she continued to argue and accuse me of lying. I finally said "listen, I didn't call to argue and I really don't care weather you do anything or not, I just need to know if you are going to do something that's great, if not, fine as well and I will have someone else clean it again." She responded that she would pass and continued to argue. I finally talked over her, and said "thank you very much, have a nice day, good bye." So, I took the call in another employees office and when I finally broke free of the call he kind of looked at me and laughed hysterically. When he finished laughing he said "I cant believe what I just heard." I just kind of stood there staring at my phone a little astonished as well. So, there you have it. Merry Maids not so merry and not much on the maids either. New name.............Grumpy Non-cleaners.

At my requst, Merry Maids sent a sales rep to my home, to assess the jobs needed, size of home, etc, and to work up an estimate for me. She was cheerful, polite, and very professional. She was able to list precisely what was, and what was not, included in their fees. She pointed out problem areas, asked what we expected in those areas. Then we sat down together so she could work up an estimate. The method used to assess the fee seemed rather complex. She mentioned things like "initial discounted rate" and "partial discount fee" that I really didn't understand. I asked what their hourly rate was, and she demured, just kind of talked around it, indicating that there are other factors figured in. I really just wanted the bottom line -- the price -- and didn't worry too much about all the explanations of breakdown. I did gather that I would need to commit to their services for a certain time, in order to get the best rate. She finally said that the initial big clean would cost around $250, and that it would take 4-5 hours. If someone came every other week, it would take approximately 2 hours, and would cost $129 each visit. (I know they're professionals, but isn't $65 per hour kind of high for cleaning?!) When I looked concerned, she started suggested rooms that could be removed, or as she put it "Put on call," meaning I could especially request that they be cleaned, but they would not be in the regular bi=weekly service. That took a few dollars off. Seems that after removing 2 bedroom, it came down to $122. That still seems like a LOT. She gave me a brochure about their company, and a written out proposal, and her manner was very professional, but it's just too much. I have interviewed two agencies, and two individuals. Merry Maids is the highest of the bunch, quite a bit higher than MTO, and much much higher than the two experienced individuals. I have no doubt they're a fine company, and surely would clean well -- as I said, they seem very professional! But it's just too much money.

They were a little pricey but did a very good job.