Frequently Asked Questions

For your convenience you'll find the answers to the most common questions we receive about house cleaning services.

Q: Will the same person/team do each cleaning at my home?
A: Yes, as much as possible. The exception happens when your team member is sick, takes a day off work, or goes on vacation on your scheduled cleaning day. Your cleaning will happen as scheduled. If two people normally clean your home usually at least one of them is available to clean your home. Cleaning instructions are written out for the crews so if someone new comes to your home the new person knows what needs to be done.

Q: Do Deep Cleaning Co. employees speak English?
A: Yes. All Deep Cleaning Co. employees read and speak English.

Q: What should I do if I am unhappy with a cleaning?
A: Please call the office immediately if there is a problem with a cleaning. Our phone number is on the Quality Assurance card that you receive after each cleaning. Our goal is to resolve any problem within 48 hours. Use the Quality Assurance Card to provide comments that would improve your next cleaning and to let us know how we are doing. Communication is very important.

Q: What does Deep Cleaning Co. do to minimize the risk of theft by employees?
A: The safety of your belongings is a top priority of Deep Cleaning Co. We take several precautions to reduce risks.

	Every applicant is carefully screened in the interview process.
	When we fill a part-time position we consider whether a particular person would struggle financially if hired for a part-time rather than full-time position.
	Every employee has both transportation and insurance.
	Every employee passes a background check through the Washington State Patrol.
	Every new employee is teamed-up with an experienced Deep Cleaning Co. employee for at least three months before they are considered eligible to work on their own.
	We create our own teams of two people to increase honest behavior. We do not hire couples or friends that will only work together.
	All employees are bonded.
	Deep Cleaning Co. is fully insured.

Q: What is a bond?
A: A bond is insurance that protects you, the customer. It insures that you will be compensated (reimbursed) if it is proven that damage or theft was caused by a Deep Cleaning Co. employee. In the event of theft a conviction must also occur prior to a payout.

Q: Is Deep Cleaning Co. insured? How does this insurance protect clients?
A: Yes, Deep Cleaning Co. carries liability insurance. Liability insurance covers damage to your home or property caused by Deep Cleaning Co. employees.

Q: What is a certificate of insurance?
A: A certificate of insurance shows that a company is covered by insurance. If you want to verify that a company has coverage it is important that you contact the insurance company to get proof of insurance. For your safety do not accept proof provided by the cleaning company. It is possible for a company to get insurance, receive a certificate then cancel their coverage. When the insurance company sends you a certificate they are required to notify you when the company is no longer covered by their insurance. This could happen when the company is changing insurance brokers or simply cancels their policy.

Q: How do I get my house cleaned?
A: Call us or complete the House Cleaning Service Estimate form. If you're not sure what you need or where you should start we can work together to come up with a plan and go from there. Changes can be made to cleaning schedule or instructions at anytime.

Q: What are the benefits of hiring a house cleaning company vs. an individual person for house cleaning?
A: This is a three part answer which covers employment taxes and forms, screening and dependability.

1.	Employment taxes and forms. A house cleaning company pays employment taxes plus completes and files all required employment forms. Employee taxes and forms are required by law whether the person is your employee or ours.
	When a person is hired "under the table" both the employer and employee are at risk if the employee is hurt or disabled:
		They will not have accumulated any Social Security benefits to receive money from.
		They will not get money from Labor & Industries (L & I) if they are hurt in your home.
		They may need to sue you for lost wages and for medical costs.
	If they stop work as a house cleaner for health reasons (house cleaning is hard work) they will not be eligible for unemployment benefits to help them during their transition.

2.	Screened employees. A professional house cleaning company delivers qualified, trustworthy, house cleaners to your door.
	Everything is taken care of:
		Help wanted ads.
		Screening.
		Training.
		Vacation pay.
		Payroll forms.
		Payroll taxes.
		Insurance coverage in the event of damage or breakage in your home. (For your safety request the certificate from the insurance company, not the house cleaning company.)
		Cleaning supplies & equipment are provided.
	If they stop work as a house cleaner for health reasons (house cleaning is hard work) they will not be eligible for unemployment benefits to help them during their transition.

3.	Dependability. Your house will be cleaned even if a house cleaner:
		Has car problems.
		Is ill.
		Has kids or family members with an illness.
		Takes a vacation.
		Has an outside appointment that comes up.
Deep Cleaning Co. has enough house cleaners on staff to clean all every home of the schedule even when an employee is out.

Q: What are the benefits of hiring a large company vs. a one person company?
A: A large company provides resources, stability and peace of mind.

	One person companies tend to be less structured. They may take liberties that you are uncomfortable with or that increase your risk of loss, such as:
		A friend or daughter may help them occasionally without your knowledge.
		They may bring their children with them to watch TV while they clean.
		If they lack a certificate of insurance and damage occurs you may have to make a claim on your insurance. Certain claims may jeopardize your home owner's insurance policy. As of June 2003 water damage claims have caused some people to be dropped by their insurance company.
		New, independent house cleaners sometimes undercharge. When they realize they could make more money elsewhere they may become unreliable or quit.
		Informal or verbal agreements that do not clearly state what is to be cleaned for the agreed upon fee can cause disagreements that are difficult to resolve.

Q: Can I schedule a cleaning for a specific day or time?
A: Yes, we do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs. The first available time is 8:30am and the last available time is 2:30pm, some one-time cleanings can be scheduled after 2:30pm. The length of the cleaning depends on the cleaning tasks.

Use this simple checklist to choose a cleaning service with confidence, How to Hire A House Cleaner.
Use this easy Service Estimate form to find out how affordable it is to delegate your cleaning chores.
Contact us or call to add more free time to your life.