1. A good base job-note
The standard clean allots time according to the general expectations of people but not all lives are the same. Establish your preferences and priorities that differ ahead of the clean. We create a job-note for each job-site with the personal preferences of the client. The job-note can be adjusted and changed over time. You can override the job-note on any day of the clean when different needs come up.
2. Tweak the clean
3. Choreograph the clean
Whether the cleaner starts on the top floor and works down or starts on the main floor and works up, the cleaner can start and end according to your needs. Establish start and end points that match life in your home. For kids that arrive home for lunch, the kitchen must be available midday. Clients who work from home need to establish vacuum-free times for business calls – a perfect time for staff to clean bathrooms and kitchen instead of vacuuming.
4. A positive spin on feedback
Directives are feedback in disguise. Directives are what you want done. Don’t wait to say what you want done differently, done more, or done less.
You can ask the office to put directive into the job-note and pass it onto staff or you can simply let staff know. For a list of directives, a written version is recommended so that staff can review the list more than once. For important directives, an addition to job-notes is highly recommended.
5. Identify blind spots
A blind spot is an area missed by all or specific to one cleaner. Unintentional missed spots can occur with repetitive work and fast time frames. The worker is unaware of the blind spot, until it is pointed out.
6. Stop time wasters
7. Personal preference
How do you get the cleaner to clean out your coffee pot? Just ask. Staff can clean your coffee pot and a whole list of additional extras like dishes, laundry, folding, etc.. We are happy to spend more time doing details in your home when you pay for the time it takes.
8. The nature of the clean
What kind of client are you: Do you like to spend the money and have more detail or do you like staff who come in and cover your basic needs at a great price? A speedy staff may need to do more detail and a detail oriented staff may need to commit to basics, depending on your nature.
9. Rotational work
Why pay for weekly cleaning of the bathroom you never use? Rotate the bathroom clean with another periodic need. “Rotational Cleaning” can be two to four rotating requests.
10. On request areas
Another technique is “On Request” areas. Get the 3rd floor done just in time for your college kid’s visit. Or maybe after they leave. You can allot extra time for ‘On Request’ demands, or adjust expectation in another area
11. One extra at a time
Get one extra periodic item done each clean. Ask for one window each clean or one room of baseboards washed each clean. By asking for one extra each clean, you can cover more ground with a standard clean. When intensive cleaning is broken down into manageable time bites, it is considered a standard clean and billed at standard cleaning rates.
12. Acknowledgement
Acknowledge staff and their work. Staff care that you notice their work and that gratitude becomes a positive energy for the clean that day. Tips are always appreciated and a simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way.