Hiring a housekeeper can be stressful. If you need housekeeping services, our advice would be that you work through a housekeeping agency. Tell the agency what your needs are and let them source the right person for you. A housekeeping agency does all the work so you do not have to do it. They check the housekeeper’s credentials, they check their certificates, they check their experience, and they check their paperwork. They also do reference checks with their previous employees. A housekeeping agency will not send a housekeeper to you unless they know the person is well qualified for the job and has a good personality to boot.
Housekeeping duties
When you look for a housekeeper, it is up to you to list the duties you expect. Housekeeping services may just include housekeeping, but you might be expecting the housekeeper to also do the cooking, the shopping and the child care. There are different housekeepers available, with different levels of experience and with different certifications. If you want your housekeeper to also look after your children while you are at work, they will need first aid certificates or child care certificates. The clearer you are in your needs when talking to a housekeeping agency, the more chance you have of getting the right housekeeper.
The interview process
When you interview a housekeeper, keep a list of the things that you need. This way you will not forget anything and you will not have any misunderstandings. Remember that you need to be flexible, as does the housekeeper, and touch on this during the interview process. You might want a housekeeper solely to look after the children, but if you have a crisis at work, perhaps you want the housekeeper to do the odd school run or a bit of shopping. Be clear during the interview what you need and expect, and they can be clear with you about what they can do, and what they want to do too. Go through the daily requirements of a housekeeper, but also, have a good chat. Make sure you like the person, and vice versa. You don't want someone working in your home who you cannot stand.
Trial basis
A housekeeper might be employed on a trial basis and this is something for you and the housekeeper to work out. It has to be fair for both of you. Perhaps you do a month’s trial before chatting again and deciding if you are both happy. The agency can also mediate this process for you. Remember when you go through a housekeeping agency they are like mediators and you can ask them any questions, and of course you can get them to do all the groundwork. That is what they do anyway.
Housekeeping salaries
A housekeeping agency will guide you on the salary expected from a housekeeper, and before a housekeeper comes to you for the interview, money will have been discussed. The agency will always take a fee for providing you with housekeeping services, but this is a good thing.
