When requesting a quote for cleaning services, it is important to understand exactly which services will be covered in the quoted price. Not all cleaning service providers cover the same level of detail or will perform the same cleaning service tasks.
Not All Cleaning Services Are Created Equal
For recurring service, some tasks may be included in every cleaning visit while some others may be performed on a rotating schedule, and yet others may be offered on an as-needed, as-requested basis for additional fees.
The following list of common cleaning service tasks for each area in a house can serve as a valuable guide in helping to determine the services and the schedule that will best meet your needs. As you compare quotes from cleaning service providers, it is important to make sure you are comparing apples to apples so as to ensure you will get the most cleaning thoroughness bang for your buck. And when you do ultimately hire a cleaning service, clearly communicated expectations between the service provider and the client help to ensure the success, satisfaction and the longevity of the relationship.
These lists can serve as a guide for setting and monitoring those clear expectations.
Kitchen
- Clean Countertops and Wipe Down Surfaces
- Wipe Small Kitchen Appliances
- Clean Microwave Inside and Out
- Clean Stovetop
- Clean Exterior of Major Appliances
- Clean Sink and Faucets
- Dust/Wipe Table and Chairs
- Wipe Exterior of Cabinets
- Dust/Wipe Windowsill
- Hard Surface Floor Swept/Vacuumed and Cleaned (according to surface)
Dining/Living/Family Room/Bedrooms
- Dust Furniture/Wipe Electronics
- Dust Light Fixtures, Lamp Shades, and Artwork
- Clean Mirrors and Glass Tabletops
- Dust Exposed Heat Registers and Baseboards
- Dust/Wipe Windowsill
- Clean Sliding Patio Doors Inside and Outside
- Vacuum Rugs/Carpets
- Hard Surface Floors Swept or Vacuumed and Cleaned (according to surface
Bathrooms
- Clean Tub and Shower
- Clean Counter, Mirrors, Lights and Surfaces
- Clean Sinks and Faucets
- Clean Toilet Inside and Outside
- Wipe Cabinet Exterior
- Dust Exposed Heat Registers and Baseboards
- Hard Surface Floors Swept/Vacuumed and Cleaned (according to surface)
Rotating Tasks (Frequency, Recurrence and Schedule TBD)
- Move and Clean Under Furniture
- Edge Carpets
- Dust Ceiling Fans
- Dust Unexposed Heat Registers and Baseboards
- Dust Cobwebs and Ceilings
- Wash Window Frames
- Wash Door Frames and Doors
- Polish Kitchen Cabinets
- Clean Kitchen Baseboards/Splashboards
Extra Assignment Tasks
- Wash Windows Inside
- Wash Walls and Ceilings
- Empty, Wipe and Replace Books and Items on Shelves
- Empty, Wipe and Replace Items Inside Cabinets
- Remove Shoes/Items From Closet, Vacuum and Replace
- Clean Ornate Chandelier
- Remove Ashes From Fireplace
- Clean Inside Oven
- Clean Inside Refrigerator
- Change Bed Linens
- Clean Blinds
As you evaluate and choose and engage a cleaning service, these lists can serve as a guideline for making sure everyone is on the same page. Both the services provider and the client will benefit by reviewing the list of included services together, discussing the expectations, and making any customized adjustments to a quote or an agreement.
Even though cleaning services may be described in a standard way as on the lists as shown above, it is important to remember that a professional, customer-oriented cleaning services provider will recognize each home is unique and will be focused on the end result of a satisfied customer, not just checking off items on a list.
