Self-Employed Housekeeper vs. Professional Cleaning Services

<tr> <td><b>Self-Employed Housekeeper</b></td> <td> <ul style="list-style: inside"> <li>Cheaper</li> <li>Become familiar/comfortable with one person</li> <li>More personalized service</li> </ul> </td> <td> <ul style="list-style: inside"> <li>May not be insured or bonded</li> <li>May not have a recent background check</li> <li>No supervisor to report a bad experience to</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Professional Cleaning Service</td> <td> <ul style="list-style: inside"> <li>Insurance and bonding usually guaranteed</li> <li>Reliability</li> </ul> </td> <td> <ul style="list-style: inside"> <li>More expensive</li> <li>May have multiple people in your home</li> </ul> </td> </tr>

Skills And Qualifications For Housekeepers

<ul style="list-style: inside"> <li>Keeping your home clean is a task that never seems to end, and it can take up most of your free time. Instead of spending your weekends mopping and dusting, consider <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/emc.Cleaning-Maid-Services-directory.-12014.html" target="_blank">hiring a housekeeper or cleaning service</a>.</li> <li>Unless a housekeeper performs specific duties regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency or your state or local government, no specific licensing is usually required to become a housekeeper. However, you’ll want to work with a professional who can pass a background check and has a current business license, liability insurance and a surety bond. You’ll also want to select someone who has the experience and can provide references, or someone who has received some professional training from a cleaning company.</li> <li>Keep in mind when hiring any type of professional to clean your home that each state has its own requirements for licensing. You can use Home Advisor’s <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/state-by-state-licensing-requirements/" target="_blank">Contractor Licensing Requirements State-By-State</a> guide to learn more. You can also learn more about the <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/screening/" target="_blank">extensive screening process</a> we use when allowing businesses to join our network.</li> </ul>

79 Best House Cleaning Services - San Francisco CA

Frequently asked questions

Self-Employed Housekeeper

Cheaper
Become familiar/comfortable with one person
More personalized service

May not be insured or bonded
May not have a recent background check
No supervisor to report a bad experience to

Professional Cleaning Service

Insurance and bonding usually guaranteed
Reliability

More expensive
May have multiple people in your home

Keeping your home clean is a task that never seems to end, and it can take up most of your free time. Instead of spending your weekends mopping and dusting, consider hiring a housekeeper or cleaning service.
Unless a housekeeper performs specific duties regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency or your state or local government, no specific licensing is usually required to become a housekeeper. However, you’ll want to work with a professional who can pass a background check and has a current business license, liability insurance and a surety bond. You’ll also want to select someone who has the experience and can provide references, or someone who has received some professional training from a cleaning company.
Keep in mind when hiring any type of professional to clean your home that each state has its own requirements for licensing. You can use Home Advisor’s Contractor Licensing Requirements State-By-State guide to learn more. You can also learn more about the extensive screening process we use when allowing businesses to join our network.

When you hire a housekeeper or cleaning service, there are some questions you’ll need to ask to ensure you’re hiring the right person for the job. Writing down a list of services you want to be completed is a great place to start. This way, you’ll have all the information you need when you do interview a housekeeper or cleaning service, and they can provide you with accurate information and cost estimates.

What Services Do You Offer?

Find out upfront if the housekeeper or cleaning company offers the services you need, especially if you have requests that go beyond basic services.

How Do You Come Up With Your Rates?

Do they charge a flat fee each week? Do they charge an hourly rate? Some companies charge based on your home’s square footage or the number of bedrooms you have.

Do You Provide Your Own Supplies?

Many companies may provide some smaller cleaning supplies, but they may need to use your vacuum cleaner or mop. Others bring their own or none at all. And if you’re particular about the types of chemicals used in your home, you may want to ask what products they use or if they’re willing to use what you provide.

What Happens if Something Goes Wrong?

Anytime you have a professional in your home, something could go wrong. They could get hurt, or some of your property may be damaged. Ask what would happen in these scenarios — a well-qualified professional will have the necessary insurance and bonding to cover these situations.

Recent Job Requests for House Cleaning & Maid Services in San Francisco, CA

Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/23/23
Cleaning Type Needed: One time cleaning
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Urgent (1-2 days)
Comment: We need someone to deep clean our bathroom
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Location: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
Comment: Studio approximately 550 sq ft
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
Cleaning Type Needed: Move-out
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Medium (1500 - 2500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Urgent (1-2 days)
Comment: tenant moved out completely empty now
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Medium (1500 - 2500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Unsure - I'm planning & budgeting
Comment: Customer did not provide additional comments. Please contact the customer to discuss the details of this project.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Comment: I do professional house cleaning. I am carrying out the dust removal process from the walls of the house to the windows, from the floor to the doors. In the kitchen, from the stove to the oven, the refrigerator counters, the cabinet interiors, I clean everywhere. In bathrooms, closets, bathtubs, floors and walls are made suitable for sanitation and hygiene with a quality detergent. Vacum floor cleaning seat washing ironing curtain washing . I'm a pro at this job and have a lot of references.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
Location: Business
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
System Location: Closet
Type of system: Dryer vent
Number of vents: 1
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Comment: outside access to vent on external wall could either be through window in my apartment (8' gap) or via ladder through
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Location: Home/Residence
Desired Services: Chimney Inspection
Desired Services: Chimney Sweeping
What type of fireplace or burning device do you use?: Gas Fireplace
How many chimney flues need cleaning?: 3 or more
Comment: Customer did not provide additional comments. Please contact the customer to discuss the details of this project.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Location: Home/Residence
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
Comment: Customer did not provide additional comments. Please contact the customer to discuss the details of this project.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/22/23
Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Location: Business
Is this an emergency?: No
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
Comment: I have a small salon I need someone to fold towels sweep mop and Windex down countertops and products
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Urgent (1-2 days)
Comment: Clean bathrooms.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
Cleaning Type Needed: One time cleaning
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Large (more than 2500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Location: Home/Residence
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Cleaning Type Needed: One time cleaning
Comment: Customer did not provide additional comments. Please contact the customer to discuss the details of this project.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
Cleaning Type Needed: Move-out
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
Cleaning Type Needed: One time cleaning
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Unsure - I'm planning & budgeting
Comment: Customer did not provide additional comments. Please contact the customer to discuss the details of this project.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Medium (1500 - 2500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Comment: General once a week housecleaning. Bathrooms, dusting, mopping floors, clean kitchen cabinets, vacuuming etc
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
When would you like this request to be completed?: Within 2 weeks
Location: Home/Residence
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Small (less than 1500 sq ft)
Cleaning Type Needed: Recurring Service
Comment: Customer did not provide additional comments. Please contact the customer to discuss the details of this project.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
When would you like this request to be completed?: Urgent (1-2 days)
Cleaning Type Needed: Move-out
What is the square footage of the house that needs cleaning?: Medium (1500 - 2500 sq ft)
Location: Home/Residence
Comment: Customer did not provide additional comments. Please contact the customer to discuss the details of this project.
Project Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: 06/21/23
Number of stories in house: Two or more stories
When would you like this request to be completed?: Still in planning & budgeting phase
Why Gutters Need Cleaning: Regular Maintenance
Why Gutters Need Cleaning: Gutters are clogged
Comment: We moved into the home a year ago and nobody has looked at the gutters since. So I need someone to inspect and clean them, and do any other needed repairs. The house is a two and a half story Victorian row house.

House Cleaning & Maid Services in San Francisco, CA

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Frequently asked questions

Self-Employed Housekeeper vs. Professional Cleaning Services

Skills And Qualifications For Housekeepers

Housekeeping Questions To Ask On An Interview

What Services Do You Offer?

How Do You Come Up With Your Rates?

Do You Provide Your Own Supplies?

What Happens if Something Goes Wrong?

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