Living in a condo is a distinct lifestyle as compared to living in a house. From who you hire, to how you carry out projects, it’s all a little bit different when you live in a condo. When it comes to hiring a cleaning company, you may be surprised to learn that there are companies that specialize in condos. To learn more about the benefits of hiring condo-specific cleaning companies, we spoke to condo cleaning expert Patrick Martel, CoFounder of Toronto based Maid4Condos to answer all of our questions.
1. What is the difference between cleaning a condo and a house?
Condos have many intricacies that homes do not have. For example, condos have ceiling vents that are used for washer dryer units. These vents can become fire hazards if left uncleaned. A house-specific cleaning company might not be aware of these vents or know how to properly clean them. A condo-specific cleaning company will have the proper tools and knowledge to ensure you do not have a fire hazard hiding in your vents.
2. Why should you hire a condo-specific cleaning company?
Patrick explains that condo-specific cleaning companies are specially trained to know how to operate in condos. They are always professional and friendly when dealing with your concierge and other residents in your building. They know your buildings and communities and understand how to operate in them and maneuver within urban landscapes.
3. How much does it cost for condo-specific cleaning?
A big benefit of hiring a condo-specific cleaning company is the fact that their pricing is tailored to your smaller square footage. At Maid4Condos for example, they offer differently priced packages to better fit your needs. Patrick explains that they charge based on their cleaning packages that relate to the size of your condo and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you have. From there, you can choose from their cleaning packages such as Basic, Basic+, Deep or Moving Cleaning packages and add extras like fridge, oven, windows and GermBlasters to your service.
4. What’s involved in quoting a job? Can this be done virtually?
In today’s world, the more we can do online, the better. Condo-owners will be happy to know that they can get a quote and customize their needs online. This way you can see exactly what you will be paying for. Get a quote by visiting their HomeStars profile and clicking get a quote.
5. What should homeowners do to make your job easier on the day of cleaning?
Before a cleaning company arrives, condo and homeowners alike often wonder, “should I clean before the cleaner comes?” Patrick’s definitive answer is yes. Ideally, you should pick up all loose items, garbage and debris, items on surfaces and articles of clothing on the ground. This will ensure that the staff uses the allocated time for cleaning these surfaces and not picking up your items. They’re there to clean, not tidy up your loose papers. Do a quick tidy before your cleaning company arrives to ensure they can do their job effectively.
6. Who supplies the cleaning products and tools?
At Maid4Condos, all supplies, equipment and cleaning products are included. All they need from their clients are a vacuum and toilet brush. Should the client prefer the use of their specific products or have special products for unique surfaces in their home, Patrick and his team are happy to make use of those as long as they are safe and non-toxic. Be sure to ask the company you hire if they operate the same way.
7. What’s something clients are surprised about having their condos cleaned?
Patrick has found that his clients are surprised by the level of communication they receive prior, during and post-cleaning. This ensures smooth delivery of service, so you know exactly what to expect along the way. Communication goes both ways, so Patrick always encourages his clients to leave feedback on review sites like HomeStars. This way the company can gather your specific feedback which helps them learn and improve.
8. What extra precautions are being taken during COVID-19?
While it can feel risky letting a pro into your home, as long as the proper precautions are being taken you can put those worries to rest. Patrick explains that protecting their clients’ and employees’ health and safety has always been at the forefront of everything they do. While they’ve always worn gloves and shoe coverings, even further precautions are now being taken. These include sanitizing before and after accessing buildings/ properties, enhanced PPE usage both on-site and during travel between clients and further sanitizing and disinfecting of their equipment.
9. What should condo owners look for in a cleaning company?
Patrick says there are a few key things to look out for when deciding on which company to hire. A cleaning company should have 5 million in general liability insurance, WSIB coverage for all employees and last but not least, proper training should be provided to the entire team. Extensive training in workplace health and safety is very important, especially during COVID-19.
In his expert opinion, Patrick recommends asking questions to the company about these things. Do your research and check out reviews on HomeStars. This will give you a better understanding of the company overall and how they interact with their clients. Remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to hiring pros. Having insurance, fair wages, cleaning products and providing proper training can be quite expensive for the company.
10. Is there anything else condo owners should know about hiring a condo-specific cleaning company?
While there are plenty of reasons to hire a professional cleaning company, which company you hire makes all the difference. Be sure to take Patrick’s advice into consideration and research companies before hiring. Look out for any awards they’ve won, how they respond to reviews and if they’re taking extra precautions. By looking for these key qualities, you’re sure to find a great condo cleaning company just like Maid4Condos.
Now that you have a better understanding of the benefits of hiring a condo-specific cleaning company, the next step is to book your cleaning. When you’re ready, use HomeStars to research companies or use the banner below to get in touch with available pros in your area. You’ll have a sparkling clean condo in no time!
Maid4Condos is a multi-award winning cleaning company that is fully insured and prides itself on top-notch customer service. All of their staff are trained under the Master Class Certified Clean Training program. Maid4Condos is your go-to for condo cleaning, office cleaning, move-in and move-out cleanings, deep cleanings and a cleaning partner for short term rentals and executive suites. To learn more about them, check out their website or HomeStars profile.
