From the start, being open with housekeepers about expectations is key to skipping the kinds of messes even Mr. Clean can’t handle.
“Outline everything very much like a business would,” says Guy Maddalone, the CEO of GTM Household Employment Experts. “What are the essential functions of the job? What are the non-essential functions, and the success factors? When the family develops a (housekeeper) job description, it gives them a blueprint for who they should hire.”
The best housekeepers are trustworthy, hardworking people who seem to care about your house. As the client, you set the tone for that relationship.
Start with a written job description. It might include who will provide what cleaning products and supplies, and whether there are rules governing such issues as houseguests or sick days.
The next step is to conduct an interview and follow up on references, says Maddalone, who wrote “How To Hire a Nanny: Your Complete Guide to Finding, Hiring and Retaining a Nanny and Other Household Help” (Sourcebooks/Sphinx, $19.95). His company helps about 3,000 households manage payroll, benefits, taxes and insurance for their staff. GTM also conducts background checks, which Maddalone says most private investigators will do for a nominal fee.
Having trouble getting that far? You can pinpoint potential housekeepers, as well as determine a fair pay scale, by asking friends, neighbors and coworkers about their cleaners.
Florida marketing executive Lisa Brock says her neighbors have a “vetting process of sorts” when it comes to housekeepers. By chatting up the neighborhood for referrals, and more important, a person’s work ethic, Brock says she always has found great housekeepers.
Another option for figuring out how much to pay is to call several cleaning companies and ask about the going rate. GTM Household Employment Experts surveyed each state to determine the median wage for household staff. In Colorado, they make between $7 and $20 an hour, Maddalone says.
Housekeeping expert Jeff Bredenberg suggests figuring out what type of cleaning service best suits your household before looking for job candidates.
“There are two kinds of housekeepers, and both have different considerations,” says Bredenberg, author of “How to Cheat at Cleaning: Time Slashing Techniques to Cut Corners and Restore Your Sanity” (Taunton, $12.95).
The first option is a housecleaning company, some of which are national chains or franchises. The best reason to hire a housekeeping company is its reliability.
“The downside is that you’re not going to know the people,” Bredenberg says. “There’s still that unsettling feeling of strangers going through your stuff.”
The alternative is an independent housekeeper – someone who keeps a rotating list of clients and manages their own schedule and billing.
“The advantage is you will know this person,” Bredenberg says. “You’ll see the same face and bond with the person and develop some trust.”
Another plus is that private housekeepers might be open to doing other chores and errands like taking telephone messages or picking up drycleaning.
“The downside,” Bredenberg says, “is if that person gets sick, nobody is coming.”
Once you have a housekeeper, how can you make the most of their time? Clearing clutter is important, according to these experts. On the other hand, a homeowner can write tasks like “pick up toys” or “hang up clothes” into their maid’s job description.
Experts also say that while references and background checks should weed out most sticky-fingered housekeepers, it is best to secure valuables before any household staff arrive.
“Even the best people can be tempted,” Maddalone says. “Why risk it?”
Locking away valuables is good for both clients and housekeepers. “It eliminates suspicion on both sides of the fence,” Bredenberg says.
But insurance companies are more vigilant. Chubb Insurance is one that suggests wine, liquor, keys, jewelry, cash and confidential documents be stashed away. Homeowners might also consider preventing access to computers.
“Leaving expensive items and confidential documents around,” says James Fiske with Chubb Personal Insurance, “increases your exposure to theft and identity theft.”
Room editor Elana Ashanti Jefferson can be reached at 303-954-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com.
