Saturday, August 3, 2013

When House Cleaning Estimates are not Clean



by Linda Wiegand, Let It Shine Cleaning
If you are looking for an estimate of house cleaning and you get a quote over the phone based on square footage or number of rooms, is this a "clean estimate"?
The over-the-phone estimate provider does not know the level of clutter, or if deeper cleaning is needed, how bad the refrigerator is, or what has accumulated behind it. You get the point. The estimate is not "clean" or truly accurate unless it is done on-site. If the estimate is done off-site and the level of cleaning needed is more than just the estimate, then two things may happen.

1) the quality of the level of cleaning is reduced. For example, deep cleaning is needed all over but only the bathroom is done instead of all the rooms.

2) Another estimate is provided based on the reality check of the level of cleaning needed that was not included in the phone estimate, and maybe you already signed an agreement that was not read and had that information in it in fine print. All that you asked for over the phone was an estimate, and estimates are just that - estimated costs, not guaranteed pricing.
We only mention this in our first blog because we feel very strongly that no one else talks about this topic, especially since most provide estimates over the phone and this is the norm for our unregulated industry. When we provide an estimate on-site it no longer is an estimate - it turns into a guaranteed price with a 52 point cleaning checklist.

We have found that on-site estimates are much more accurate than giving a bid over the phone. Since personal needs are different, with a free 15-20 minute walk- through of your home we can customize the cleaning to your specific needs.  If there are certain things you'd like special attention paid to, some rooms you don't want us to clean, and some things you don't want us to touch.

Our 52 point check list are the services we offer, but it is customized to your specific needs. For example, you can have two identical homes, but with lifestyles and household contents different, the housecleaning needs are probably different also. Also, some ask for only green products and hypo allergenic vacuuming which we do provide on request. 
House cleaning estimates are only "clean" when they cease to become an estimate and become a price guarantee that addresses your specific needs. There is no clutter of confusion, uncertainty, unexpected surprises in price changes, and frustration.
Need an estimate? Call someone else. Need customized on-site guaranteed pricing and guaranteed satisfaction of results? Call us

 Copyright 2013
Let It Shine House Cleaning
503-930-2446

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