Cleaning

[Foxtail-Cleaning-Company0]

What do you like/dislike about your current cleaning company? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Or, if you do the cleaning yourself, why haven't you hired a cleaning company? 
Thank you! I appreciate your input.

[Nikki60]

Hi Foxtail Cleaning!

I'm currently looking for a cleaning company in Burbank, CA. You know anyone there? Haha. I'm a remote host (meaning I live out of state from where my listing is) so I have no choice but to hire a cleaning company or someone to clean. To answer your questions, I am wanting a cleaning company that I can contract with to do all my Airbnb turnover cleans. I'd like to give them the schedule in advance (which I can do months out at this point) and have them manage and schedule their people for all the cleans. I've been using individual cleaners up until this point and it has become quite difficult to manage everyone's individual schedules. It's especially hard when someone becomes unavailable for a clean at the last minute and I am left scrambling. I'd like to not have to worry about that.

I'd also like the cleaning company to have a list of my 'deep clean' items that should be done every month to 6 months (those things like detailing blinds, baseboards, etc. that don't have to be done every clean, but should be done somewhat regularly to maintain my cleanliness standard) and keep a schedule of when those should be done. For instance, I'd like to be able to say "detail the blinds every 3 months" and have my contracted cleaning company schedule that into a clean every 3 months. That way the deep clean items are rotated throughout the regular cleans and are kept up with. I also found with my individual cleaners that the deep clean items were missed or skipped entirely. So when I was back in my place for a week after being gone and renting it out for over 2 years, I spent the entire week cleaning and doing all the detailed deep clean things that had completely fallen by the wayside. I'd like my future cleaning company to take care of all that and ensure that doesn't happen. I was NOT pleased when I returned to the space and certain areas looked like scenes from the Haunted Mansion. Yuck.

Hopefully that helps. Those are the 2 most important things for me in my new search for a cleaning company. And, of course, I want to find a company that is reasonably priced, reliable, thorough, kind and easy to work with, problem solvers, communicative, etc.

Best of luck to you!

[Foxtail-Cleaning-Company0]

Hi Nikki,

I may have a contact in CA. I'm not sure if she's still in business or serves the Burbank area, but I'll ask. She might have a recommendation for you.

I keep a checklist of items for each property I service and I do rotate in the deep cleaning items (it only makes sense). I also take before and after photos and send a detailed cleaning report after each cleaning. My clients love this.

I can imagine what a task it would be to juggle multiple individuals for multiple properties. Hiring a larger cleaning company has its pros and cons as well. You might be able to find a mid-sized business that can handle your volume of business, but still provide the level of service you desire.

Thanks for the input and best of luck in your search. I'll get back to you if I hear anything helpful from my friend.

~Kirsten
Foxtail Cleaning Company

[Jayesh0]

@Foxtail-Cleaning-Company0 @Nikki60

I saw on the CC previously where one clever host asked the cleaning company to send photos after every clean.  This would be especially beneficial in the event of a need to produce proof of the state of the property for the resolution centre - if there ever was a dispute.  

Because you are offsite Nikki, it would be especially helpful in asserting the condition of the property with accuracy - and in a stressful time of having to go through resolution how handy to have the before and after photos on hand.  Another side benefit - the client has extra peace of mind that they are receiving quality work.  For those areas where the client pays extra to deep clean some close up photos may ensure tasks are being satisfactorily completed within the requested timeline.

I think this would be a nice service for the cleaning company to offer.  This would instill a lot of confidence in your clients if you are prepared to stand behind your work with detailed photos.  It may also be wise to become aquainted with what is required in the event that you walk into a clients property and find it has been damaged.  The ability to support a client through this process and provide the required documentation within the requested timeline would be a big benefit.  I would think that having a contingency to help manage this to bring the space back to what it was could also be good a good little sideline for your business.

Regards, Lisa

[Foxtail-Cleaning-Company0]

Hi Lisa,

Yes! This is exactly what I do. I send before and after photos from every cleaning, so my clients not only have pictures of any damages that occur (and sadly they do), but also dated documentation of items in their previous state. I email a brief summary highligting any damages or hazards I may find and include a room-by-room detailed cleaning report. 

Thanks for your input! Please let me know if you have any other suggestions. 

~Kirsten

Foxtail Cleaning Company