We recently moved into a new house, and the entire process reminded me of post I wrote a while back about using the 80/20 rule, which states that 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of your efforts. The previous owners of our new home left an absolute disaster… and, there was far more cleaning to do than we anticipated.
We had already been packing for a month. We couldn’t wait to move in, unpack… and have our lives go back to normal. But that did not happen. In fact… it still hasn’t happened. I’m sitting beside a stack of boxes now. Until the place is clean to our standards, it makes no sense unpack.
Overwhelmed, it was either clean it ourselves, or hire someone to do it… Ironically, one of our guest contributors had recently submitted a post (below) about the best work home productivity hack (and I'd have to agree)… hiring a house cleaning service. As far as day to day tasks go… cleaning is by far one of the most time-consuming.
We could also add cooking to that list… but if you can afford catered dinners or a private chef… chances are, you're already employing someone to clean your house.
Using Your Time Wisely
It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, your free time can easily be devoured by work around the home. One of the reasons we moved was for more living space… and less yard space (I hate mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, etc.). It’s tough to work from home… and work home productivity is not helped by working AROUND the home. I am more productive in my business, than I am scrubbing cupboards.
Maybe you just want more time with your family… or to relax during your time off from work. Either way… hiring a cleaning service can help you capture the life you want, and it may be worth considering.
How to Hire A House Cleaning Service
How many people do you know that really enjoy housework? Sure, there is that special percentage of people who say things like “Cleaning is my therapy!” but by and large, for most of us, household cleaning is a necessary evil. We all lead busy lives, and wouldn’t it be great if we could hire someone to do the cleaning for us? Before you hire a cleaning service, however, there are a few things to think about.
Can You Afford It?
This is the biggest consideration. Although house cleaning services are probably more affordable than you think, if you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it. Consider your budget before hiring a cleaning service.
Get word of mouth recommendations
One of the best ways to find a good house cleaner is to ask around. There’s a good chance that some of your friends or co-workers use house cleaning services, and asking someone you trust is the best way to find a house cleaner you can trust.
Private Versus Corporate
When looking for a house cleaning service, you’ll essentially have two options: private cleaning services versus corporate cleaners. There are advantages to both. Although you may pay less for a private house cleaning service, corporate services like www.kingofmaids.com offer the added benefits of hiring licensed, bonded, and insured cleaners who have undergone rigorous background checks as part of their hiring. This offers you the added protection and recourse should things ever go sideways.
Do What You Can Yourself
If you want to save money on hiring a cleaning service, it’s a good idea to do the things you can yourself and leave the more arduous tasks to your cleaning service. You’ll get the benefit of a lighter work load at a more affordable price. For example, perhaps you might be willing to do the day-to-day upkeep of your home (tidying, making beds, light dusting, dishes, etc.) and then hiring a cleaning service to do the more heavy lifting such as deep cleaning, vacuuming, scrubbing floors, etc. In this way, you strike a balance between doing things yourself and having the help you need to lighten your load a little.
Hiring a cleaning service isn’t for everyone, but it’s far more commonplace nowadays than many people realize. If you are finding that your housework is bogging you down, stressing you out and taking up more time than you care to allot to it, a cleaning service could be the answer. The trick is to find one that offers the services you need at a price you can afford. That, and finding one you can trust through word-of-mouth recommendations.
