How does everyone vet cleaners?

Question

We're looking to start using cleaners for our Airbnb. This is new to us so I'm wondering if you guys have any tips on how to vet them? I'm considering using independent cleaners or mom and pops vs. the big companies.

Nate Julian · Answer

I would suggest finding a small company, or a college kid that needs a job.

As for vetting call a couple property managers in the area and find out who they are using. Don’t do work someone else has already done :)

Andy Zapata · Answer

We've been really impressed with TurnoverBNB. It allows you to vet  cleaners, accept quotes, set a primary and secondary cleaners, create a checklist for  your cleaners, syncs with your calendar and creates jobs to be delegated  to cleaners and even allows you to automate payments to them.

Andrea Cole · Answer

Thanks for the input everyone. Glad to see going independent cleaner vs. big box is the right path. I'm not involved with any local real estate groups so I should probably look into that. In case anyone is interested, these are the questions we decided to ask as part of the vetting process:

• Do      you work alone or as a team? If you have a team, how many do you employ      and will it be the same team each time?
• Are      you insured? Can you provide proof of insurance?
• Can      you provide 3 references that we can speak with?
• Are      there any supplies we need to provide?

Matthew Drouin · Answer

@Andrea Cole

I found mom and pops or independent are the best.  People who take home 100% of what you pay them, not someone who hires out.  When you hire a large company you’ll find that there is someone different every time who does the cleaning.  You lose consistency and attention to detail.  It’s also very expensive.  You would be surprised how many big cleaning companies actually pay their cleaners very well but cannot keep people.  Guess what?  No one in America wants to clean for a living even though they can make a very good living.

That being said, I like companies where the owner does the cleaning and maybe has a couple that help.  They are flexible and will usually include restocking toiletries and doing the linens.  All the Airbnb stuff.  The way I found our cleaner was I have a friend who has her own Airbnb’s and she’s extremely picky.  So I asked her and she gave me her cleaners contact info!

Paul Sandhu · Answer

My cleaner does it for free, and I get to sleep with her.

Whoever you get should be able to notify you (and hopefully fix) simple routine problems.  Worn flapper or fill valve in toilet, replacing a faucet cartridge, replacing CH/A filters, change fluorescent ballast, adjust screen doors and windows, flush hot water tank, replace faulty breakers, replace a circulation fan in a refridgerator, replace agitator dogs in a washer, change heating element or ignitor in an electric or gas clothes dryer, lubricating a ceiling fan, replace a p trap under any sink, replace any wind blown shingles, change any thermocouple in a gas appliance, do simple 110v flux core welding, do pvc/copper/pex/galv. plumbing, etc.

If you don't know how to do those things yourself, someone else is going to make money off of you.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Andrea Cole the issue I see with independent is you are usually relying on one person to clean during a very specific time window. What if they are on vacation or get sick? If you hire a company that has multiple employees, they have people that can fill in. I do hire independent for my home, but we are fine if she reschedules until next week - not an option when a guest is arriving in two hours. Maybe you are free to clean yourself as a fill-in and if that is the case then it is probably fine.

Eric P. · Answer

Call a big cleaning company and tell them to send their best person. Tell them this is a “move out” cleaning and it has to be SPOTLESS to ensure you get your deposit back from your landlord.

Go meet the cleaner in person and if you’re impressed with their work and attention to detail, ask for their contact info and hire them directly. Every “big company” cleaner I’ve ever worked with will gladly take direct business on the side where they can keep 100% of the $$

(If you’re not impressed with this person, call the company and ask for someone better next time. Then hire that person instead)

John Underwood · Answer

I have always used individuals to clean our VRBO. You can check their references. Best to try and find someone in the off season. I have people checking in and out on same day in the summer so that is a bad time to try and find someone. I found my first cleaner that we used for years off craigslist. She did a fantastic job for a fantastic price. Then she had family issues and had to move.

If you have a local real estate club ask the group for recommendations.

Paul Sandhu · Answer

@Jordan Hanks  Try Angieslist and Craigslist

Jordan Hanks · Answer

Could also use some guidance on where to find/what to expect with airbnb cleaners!

Launching our first airbnb in SLC, utah very soon.

How does everyone vet cleaners?

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