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There was a time if you wanted reliable maid services, you could ask your neighbor and get a good number. As cities and the internet grew, so did the cleaning business. Cleaning companies are now a click away, but they’ve mostly lost that hometown touch. Cleaning service is now big business. Do a quick Google search for house cleaning statistics and you see cleaning is a 40-billion-dollar business.

Enterprise cleaning companies rose in the 2000s. Back then you could still find your mom-and-pop cleaning company but most have been swallowed up by giant cleaners. Before that the same cleaner showed up on schedule to clean your home. But you can find local cleaners near you.

Some homeowners today only want to know their home is clean, which allows for shopping on a wider scale. But if you are hiring a cleaner to be in your home for an extended period, it is wise to look for a cleaner that fits your family’s values. After all, if you have children and want a certain influence, your cleaning company shouldn’t be an outlier.

Here are a few things to consider before you begin looking for your cleaning partner.

Know your cleaning needs

You will save yourself a lot of time and money by assessing your cleaning needs. Today there are cleaning companies that provide specialized services. If your selected cleaner provides a wide selection of cleaning maid services, it’s still good to know what you need.

Small local cleaners will do everything in one. But when you know your cleaning needs, if you select a large cleaning company, you can get to know the cleaners local to you still. That gives you a chance to know who will be coming into your home during the cleaning.

 Most cleaning companies provide a variety of services. Knowing what you need and who provides that allows you to select cleaners that fit your needs and lifestyle. With the ultra competitive market we have today, we can select our cleaners with specialty services.

Knowing your cleaning needs allows you to shop cleaning services like deep cleaning and post construction cleanup. Those can increase labor costs and cause headaches.

Once you have your checklist, it is time to go deeper and do some research.

Research local or regional cleaning companies

It’s not like the days before the 2000s when cleaning needs were more basic for the home. Today’s cleaning needs can be quite diverse with all the real estate portfolios held by individuals. Having a reliable cleaner can lighten the burden of any family or homeowner.

Today’s cleaning companies face stiff competition and hostile mergers. Some cleaners subcontract for larger commercial cleaning companies. That puts pressure on local companies to remain relevant in their own markets so you can find them.

One benefit of hiring locals is accountability. They typically live around the corner from most everybody. If you need to make a complaint you send them an email or drop by their office. No corporate red tape in order to get a minute. They also have the familial feel to their services. Local cleaners serve within their own communities and know the culture of the people they serve

Doing your own research will turn up a variety of issues and benefits so you can make an informed decision. Your research can also point out benefits to hiring regionally, especially if you own several buildings in different neighborhoods. If you own a business, you may even find a cleaner that can take care of your office as well.

Ask for recommendations

It’s still viable to ask someone you know if they know somebody who cleans for a living. The power of a recommendation can’t be beat. This may save you some time because you will aways get the skinny on who you’re hiring. Having someone refer to a cleaner can get you the exact local fit for your needs.

A recommendation almost guarantees a good connection or a funny story. Asking friends and family about the cleaners they use might even reintroduce you to someone you knew from back in the day. There is no substitute for local culture or somebody who knows somebody.

Verify and check pricing

Prices are competitive with nearly everything today. There is almost no reason to overpay for good cleaning services, unless you need extra privacy or security. A best practice in looking for a reliable cleaner is to check pricing to make sure you won’t be wrung out to dry when the bill comes.

Verify availability

You are the one responsible for who is in your home and on what days. If you know the exact days you want your cleaning company in your home, it is best to verify that they are available during those times. Most local cleaners will have a few people working with them if you choose local. Verifying their available during the times you want your cleaning done will free your space for when you need it.

Do a background check

It is absolute best practice to do a background check, even if it is basic. This has nothing to do with a negative feeling. Just to know that the person you’re letting in your home hasn’t been flagged for anything. It can also turn up good news about your chosen cleaner. A background check will alleviate any fears or misunderstandings that can come up later.