House Cleaning Rates Across the US

House cleaning rates vary greatly depending on the individual or business you hire, and your geographical location. Surprisingly, some of the highest rates are not in bigger cities, as urban areas have a higher number of immigrants – legal and otherwise – willing to work for less. The more work you have done may not impact as much either, as many outfits simply will not perform jobs that individuals list in their services.

Individuals vs Businesses

For many reasons, hiring an individual housekeeper instead of a house cleaning business may be to your benefit. Businesses often want their clients to commit to a contract. They also may not offer services that an individual would – like providing housecleaning supplies or washing windows.

Businesses also, due to paperwork and license requirements, charge more than someone who is self-employed. Having a business license does not mean, however, that employees have gone through any additional screening. You should ask with each business whether they do background checks, and the like.

Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous individuals out there who will head into any number of professions for the sake of taking advantage. There are people who will steal, do substandard work, and pass your information onto partners who intend to break into your home later. If security is a major concern for your family, you may find the costs of doing background checks on your own costs more than going through a business who screens employees when they are hired.

The importance of reliable references cannot be ignored. This is why some of the best referrals come by word of mouth, and also why self-employed housekeepers can charge some of the rates that they do. You do not want to save a dollar just to lose your shirt. The money you invest in finding safe help to have in your home shouldn’t be skimped.