What To Know Before You Hire a Housekeeper…

When considering hiring a housekeeper, one of the things that you’ll have to decide is if you’re going to pay by a salary or pay by the hour. If you pay by the hour, a lot of people worry that a housekeeper will stretch out jobs to take more time. Also, housekeeper tend to not truly invest themselves in a job that is regarded as not secure, as most hourly jobs can be. In our opinion, it’s better to pay a salary. It’s easier to figure out a fair salary based on time & duties, and a reputable housekeeper won’t risk losing long term employment and stability for piece-meal work. However, you must decide what is best for you financially.

Ask For Referrals

The best place to start looking for a great housekeeper is to ask your family and friends for a reputable agency. Ask them if they know anyone, or have had anyone who was great. One of the great things about using an agency is that they have multiple people who might work out well for your needs. A lot of services will allow you to interview & try out different housekeepers until you find one that is perfect for you. An agency can alleviate the many hassles & concerns that accompany placing someone in your home.

Interview Candidates

Come up with real interview questions and make sure that you’re thorough with the interview. Ask questions about what they enjoy about their work. Try to find out how they work with employers. Why did they choose housekeeping as a line of work? Reputable agencies will check references, work history, and criminal history. A lot of services will do these things in advance, but be thorough and check out the results.

Agree To a Trial Period

So you interviewed and found the perfect candidate to keep your home clean. Now you’re ready to hire them and live happily ever after? It’s a good idea to start with a trial period of at least a week. This will give them time to get used to your expectation, and give you an opportunity to let them settle into what your home is in need of. Any less time, and you might not get a fair assessment of what they are really capable of. If you’re not satisfied after several visits and clear expectations, then there’s a good chance that this relationship isn’t going to work. A trial period protects you and the housekeeper.

Create Clear Expectations and Boundaries

To be fair, you’ll need to have a clear idea of what exactly your housekeeper will and won’t be doing in your home. Considering co-creating a list of what chores will be done with any specific instructions you might have. Negotiating these things before work begins will help. You might want to also negotiate a way to request and pay for extra chores above the regular cleaning routine. Be sure to set some boundaries about what won’t be occurring in your home. If you don’t want the housekeeper using your telephone, computer, stereo, or television, now is the time to stress any of these boundaries.

Finally, hiring a housekeeper can bring such a sense of relief, but only if you’ve done your homework. The truth is that when you hire a housekeeper, there are a lot of things to consider. Learn what you need to know before you hire a housekeeper. Please contact us for a consultation today. We look forward to speaking with you! https://tristatedomestic.com/