Large Cleaning Service Vs. Small Mom and Pop Company

I prefer mom & pop shops over big box. You get more personalized service.

Even though I'm a stay at home mom, I have 4 boys who play sports and other activities so we discussed it and budgeted for a cleaning service on a regular basis.

I prefer mom and pop, shade tree, handy men... The relationship I have built with them is invaluable.

Either way, you will have some errors, missteps and miscommunications. One guy used the wrong side of scrub sponge to wipe down my wood tv console (scratching it). Another person put on new bedding, but didn't strip the old stuff. Another person spent all day in the kitchen (man did my microwave shine), but did little else. A big company managed to unplug my fish tank filter.

Point being, communicate-
advise re: products to use/ not use.
be clear about your expectations of what to clean/ what to clean first, and be prepared for a learning curve and a couple of mistakes.

Best,
F. B.

I've used all kinds of cleaning services. Whether or not they do a good job has nothing to do with how big they are, it has to do with who, specifically, is at your house doing the cleaning.

With big services, you never know. Sometimes you get someone really good. Sometimes you get someone who is just putting in their time.

With small services, you always know who is doing the job. But you won't know until after they come a few times whether or not they are really good or if they just surface clean.

The price difference has nothing to do with how good they are at cleaning. Most of the cost of big services goes to overhead - management (supervisors, schedulers, etc), advertising, and things like that.

In your situation, as long as the small company is insured, I'd go with them since you have a recommendation. And, you can always call the mom and son business and ask them for other recommendations if that will help. They probably have a list.

I would suggest you get a punch list of things they will clean.
The larger company probably has that published somewhere, and does not deviate from it unless for a fee.
The mom/pop shop probably offers more flexibility there, but may not have a defined list like that...which could be good or bad, depending on the charge.

So just make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Ask the mo and son for other references besides your friend. If they can't or won't provide them -- that would be a red flag.

Whatever type of service you use, watch what they do. Don't hover but do come into the room unexpectedly as they are cleaning, especially bathrooms and kitchens. I say this because a friend walked in to see a cleaner using a rag to wipe down the toilet and then turning and using the same rag immediately to wipe down the sink--dangerously unsanitary! She fired that firm the same day. You need to see their procedures.

I've had both. Quite frankly, I love any help I get but I HATE having someone in my house and cleaning. It always is a dreadful day for me but I like the after effects.

I have to stay in my office area and not have my little "wing" cleaned because I have to keep my dogs with me. I can't let my dogs stay outside because we back up to a heavily wooded area and have lots of bobcats. The bobcats can jump the 6 ft wrought iron fence, we've watched them do it to chase squirrels. I need to be outside with my dogs.

I've tried it both ways... when a group of 3-4 people come in, I feel somewhat violated because they just take over the house. Every time the blinds are dusted, group or not, it sounds like they are ripping them apart. Then with a group, you have 3-4 people throughout the house and you can't keep your eye on them 100% and I don't want to be following them around either.

With the mom/pop, it was a husband/wife team and they were good but they would be here from 8:30-2:30 once a month. There were a couple of times she broke something that wasn't valuable or anything but she was all about repairing it and kind of just took over. However, I was never made aware of little incidents that ended up with a chip in my countertop or multiple little chips on the tile floor . :(

In the end, it is just not worth the stress it puts me through. I don't like things moved around and once I went into my bedroom and she had moved a piece of furniture. YIKES... I like thorough but I don't want to be paying someone else's medical bills either!

I will get someone, preferably 1 person to come in once or twice a year, give them a list of my priorities and I am ok with it that way.

Certainly get references and read references online for the larger companies.

ETA: I do admit that I am picky when it comes to cleaning my house and handling my stuff.

If your neighbor has used them for several years and happy with their service, go over and meet them when they are there, or after they have cleaned and see if you like their work. Ask them for references of others who use their services.
I agree with the others, the larger companies are not always the best. Word of mouth is often the best advertising.

If your friend is referring you and they cost 1/2 the price you should give it a try. The larger companies charge a fortune and take a large percentage of the fee they charge. Go with the mom and son. Make a come and help me once deal and then go from there.

Also, with big companies - it harder to keep track of the workers. Whomever you do hire, lock up anything you don't want stolen or broken!

Call them and ask for more references. If they're a good company, they'll have plenty.

I have given up with cleaning companies and cleaning people, while they can help I still end up doing alot of cleaning anyways. I am also very particular about how my house is cleaned. We all pitch in as a family and it gets done fast. We keep a dry erase board and what needs to get done gets put on that board and it gets erased when done. My son who is 7 is now also responsible for his own room along with little chores I give him to help out.

In my experience, if it's your home you're looking to have cleaned, and you're hoping for a lot of detail cleaning, a mom-and-pop sized cleaning company is the way to go. Referral from friends is the best way to find these companies.

Now, if your home has been flooded, or you've had a fire, and you're needing major restorative service (mold remediation, fire restoration), then by all means, go with a Service Master or a company like that. But for small, detailed work, I would use a small local company. I've never had a bad experience with a local company referred to me by friends/family, but I have had some bad experiences with big companies (when I'm expecting them to do detailed cleaning work in my home).

It's so hard to know, and it all depends. It's a good start that your neighbor likes these people. I've used both- independent folks and a big company. The independent people could be flaky, and often didn't speak enough English to really know what I was asking them to do. I now have a bigger company that I love. They are more reliable, and I know if there ever is an issue I have some recourse, not likely with the independents.

Another think to ask is about the procedures of how they clean. The bigger companies have more standardized methods to avoid what Leigh describes. I've heard that story from friends of mine- either they caught the cleaners wiping the toilet and then the counters, or another friend came home to find that the lady was user her washing machine to wash all of her 'toilet rags' from other homes, so gross. Bigger companies may be less likely to have random cleaning practices.

But again, if these people have been reliable for your neighbor, I would check further into it. Go over there when they are cleaning, and as others said ask them for other references.

Good luck!

I use a small woman-owned business. I've tried Molly Maids, Maid Brigade, etc. and they sucked...they are huge, you never know who is in your home and while they may be licensed and insured - the fact is - there are somethings you just can't replace.

Is my small business perfect? Nope. I haven't found a company that is perfect. But you get to know each other and you end up learning and knowing about those who come into your home.

For a one time shot? I would get in writing what they are going to do for you, how long it will take, etc. find out if they are licensed and insured as well. just in case...stuff happens!!

Also - this is something I do weekly. I pay $75 for every week - 5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, kitchen, family room, living room - there is a team of 4 that come in they are done in about 1.5 hours to 2 hours. It makes my life much easier - during the week - I do spot cleaning - vacuuming, mopping.

Good luck!

I like the mom and pop companies. I would call and ask for a list of references:)

my first choice is always mom and pop, but you do have to be careful. the mom and pops can be awesome, but they can also be fly-by-night.
and they're coming into your home.
'licensed and bonded' is something i've always insisted on after my bestie gave a contractor thousands for 'materials, up front' and he disappeared.
ask the small company for references. if they've been around for several years they've probably got some other than your friend. also check angie's list.
good luck!
khairete
S.

I have a friend that cleans homes for a living. I'm sure she does it for less that the larger companies because she does not claim the income. In addition she doesn't have workers comp so if she is injured on your property there could be an issue there. So these are all questions to ask before hiring either company.