Category: Cleaning Services

Moving is a stressful affair that takes time and planning. There are a lot of moving parts you need to coordinate including everything from packing to cleaning. 

Move-in/move-out cleaning is one of those things you want to do right. Leaving the apartment clean when you move ensures you don’t lose your security deposit, and the whole move-in/move-out cleaning process makes certain that your new home is also clean when you arrive.

In this article, we will share eight move-out cleaning service tips to help ensure everything goes smoothly and stands up to the high standards of even the most discerning landlord.

1. Review your lease

Make sure you review your lease and understand the issues that can increase the risk of losing your security deposit. This often includes minor repairs. 

We always recommend tenants take photos of anything damaged in an apartment at the time they move in and report it to their landlord to avoid footing the bill for damage you didn’t cause. 

Have your landlord do a walkthrough before you move so you can discuss anything they feel needs attention. This will ensure you can deal with the issues and not find yourself paying fees unnecessarily. 

2. Know why you need move-out cleaning services

Your lease has a clause that indicates you have to leave your rental unit as close to the same condition as it was when you moved in. 

Although normal wear and tear is a given, a thorough cleaning removes the ick factor for the new tenants, while ensuring you aren’t handed a cleaning and repair bill from your ex-landlord when you fail to meet their move-out inspection. 

Professional move-out cleaning services follow a strict and detailed cleaning list to ensure everything stands up to your landlord’s expectations. It also allows you to move into your new home without worrying about scrubbing the tub, so it’s kind of like paying it forward!

3. Know what a move-out clean includes

Before you hire move-out cleaning services, make sure you understand what cleaning tasks are expected by your landlord. This typically includes:

Bathroom:

• Bathtub and shower enclosure
• Inside, out, and behind the toilet
• Lights, mirrors, sink, countertops
• Vacuum ceiling fan cover
• Light switches, door knobs
• Empty garbage bin
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Wipe baseboards
• Wipe vanity inside and out

Bedrooms:

• Dust counters, table tops, picture frames
• Clean mirrors and polish ornaments
• Wipe switches, door knobs
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Wipe baseboards
• Wipe window ledges

Kitchen:

• Inside fridge and oven
• Stovetop
• Polish fridge front
• Inside the microwave
• Backsplash, countertops, cupboard fronts
• Sink
• Wipe light switches and door knobs
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Clean baseboards
• Wipe window ledges
• Clean inside cabinets
• Wipe inside drawers

Living/dining room:

• Clean mirrors and polish ornaments
• Wipe switches and door knobs
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Wipe baseboards
• Wipe window ledges

Laundry room:

• Clear air vent
• Clear lint trap
• Wipe washer and dryer
• Clean floors

4. Compare move-out cleaning costs

Although you might not want to foot the bill for cleaning costs, it will be far more affordable than being handed a cleaning bill by your landlord. 

Get a few quotes from dependable move-out cleaning services and compare what cleaning services are provided. 

Also, be sure your quotes are from providers that offer a specific offering called “move-in/move-out cleaning,” as it is a very specialized service requiring a deeper clean than your everyday cleaning. 

5. Schedule your move-out cleaning services in advance

The end of the month puts high demand on moving-related services in the GTA, including movers, moving vans, and move-out cleaning services. 

To avoid disappointment, you should book your cleaning services at least two to four weeks out so you have one less thing to worry about. 

6. Access and timing for move-out cleaning services

This can be tricky to coordinate. You need the cleaners to have total access to an empty apartment. You also don’t want them overlapped with your movers, as moving is dirty work. The last thing you need is for the movers to dirty up floors that the cleaners have already cleaned.

You need the apartment to be empty and avoid being there while the cleaners work. It can also be hard to know what time you will have everything moved out of the unit. 

All things considered, a good rule of thumb is to ask the cleaners what they suggest. They do this for a living, so they can recommend a good time, and ensure they have the access they need without causing too much of an inconvenience. 

Also, it depends on your lease agreement and when you move. If you’re moving out a few days early, this makes it a lot easier to coordinate a cleaning time. The important thing is that the unit is clean before you do a walkthrough with your landlord and hand over the keys. 

7. Make sure the move-out cleaning services has a guarantee

This is an important job that requires cleaning standards to meet the requirements of your lease agreement. Be sure you hire a move-out cleaning service that has a guarantee. If things are not cleaned properly, they will return to complete the job to your satisfaction.

8. What happens if your unit isn’t considered move-in clean?

Your landlord has a right to charge you or hold onto your security deposit if they feel your apartment is not cleaned properly. A good rule of thumb is to take a before and after shot of your apartment so you have proof the apartment was in fact cleaned. 

Also, maintain your move-out cleaning services bill to show the landlord. If the cleaning is not up to snuff, and you followed our advice and hired a cleaning service with a guarantee, you can call them and have them take care of the areas the landlord feels are not clean enough. 

Think of move-out cleaning as a courtesy. You wouldn’t want the home you’re moving into to be filthy, and it just makes sense that the new tenants in your old apartment won’t want to either. 

It’s something that needs to be done to ensure you get your security deposit back, and it also feels good knowing you left the apartment in the same condition it was when you moved in.

Contact the Cleaning Experts

At Maid4Condos, we specialize in move-in/move-out cleaning services. For more information, you can call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.

When cleaning your home becomes too much work, hiring a residential cleaning service is the perfect solution. However, with so many residential cleaning services in the GTA, it can be hard to know who to hire. Cleaning services vary from individuals to global cleaning companies, and everything in between. Here, we provide the 11 essential questions you need to ask when considering residential cleaning services for your home.

1. How much do you charge?

Each company or individual will have their own rates. Some offer packages, some charge by the hour, and some charge by the square foot. In hand with their fees, you also want to understand if they include a certain amount of cleaning tasks they will complete, or if they only do what they can in the time allotted. You want to understand exactly how much the company charges and what this includes to ensure your expectations are met.

2. Who will be cleaning my home?

This is important because many companies have contract workers, or actually contract their work out to other cleaning companies if they become too busy. You want to know that the people in your home have passed some sort of screening including a background check. As well, the cleaners’ experience is something to discuss, as cleaning is a skill and not a job just anyone can do.

3. Are you insured and bonded?

If you hire an individual to perform your residential cleaning services, it is very important to make sure they are insured and bonded, with proof of this. Cleaning companies should also provide proof of insurance and that they hire bonded cleaners. You also want them to have workers’ compensation to cover any costs associated with injuries that occur in your home.

Most homeowners don’t realize that if an accident occurs in their home and the cleaner is not insured, they could be liable for damages. If you rent your home, chances are that your insurance (if you have any) won’t cover damages.

4. Who supplies the equipment and cleaning products?

Often, individual cleaners expect you to provide the cleaning supplies and equipment. It is also not uncommon for some cleaning companies to do the same. Part of the reason you are hiring a residential cleaning service, however, is so you don’t have to worry about these details. Therefore, make sure your cleaners are fully equipped to manage the job, without the need for you to contribute to their supplies.

5. What types of cleaning solutions do you use?

Many cleaning solutions leave behind dangerous toxins that you can breathe in or transfer to food or your mouth. If you have kids and pets, it is even more dangerous. Asking what types of cleaning solutions are used ensures there aren’t any products you feel are unsuitable for your home. You can even ask if eco-friendly products are available, or in the case where you are more concerned about germs, if they have deep cleaning solutions available.

6. Do you guarantee your work?

Good cleaning companies are proud of their work and offer a satisfaction guarantee. Their reputation depends on satisfied clients, and they’ll do everything possible to make sure their customers are happy with their work. Make sure you understand what steps the company takes if they miss something or you are unhappy with their cleaning.

7. Do I have to be home?

In most cases, you won’t have to be home when the cleaners arrive. Make sure you understand the set up and how they will access your home. It is actually often better to be out because it allows them to do their cleaning without having to work around you! It also frees up your schedule so they can come any time.

8. Do you work with pets at home?

Cleaners are used to working with pets, but you need to consider not just the safety of your pet, but also the cleaners. If you have a particularly aggressive or even friendly pet, it can be difficult for some cleaners. Make sure you understand how pets are dealt with, and what your cleaners recommend while they are there. If you know that your pet is nervous around strangers, or loud equipment like vacuums, you might want to make arrangements to take them out for a walk or visit friends.

9. Do you have a quality assurance process?

Along with the guarantee, it’s nice to know the cleaning team uses a process to ensure each job is completed perfectly. Whether they use a checklist, leave a little note confirming the job is complete, or have spot checks by supervisors, quality assurance processes help keep the quality of work consistent and up to snuff.

10. How do you keep my home secure?

Once the job is complete, the cleaning company needs to have a process to keep your home secure. Depending on the types of locks and security you have at home, the cleaners need to lock up, set alarms, etc. to reduce risk for break-ins. They should have strict guidelines about key management, and protocols such as cleaners not opening back doors or windows while they work. This reduces the risk of leaving your home vulnerable.

11. What if something breaks?

Professional cleaners are very careful when working in your home. However, accidents do happen. Be sure to ask what process they use if something is broken during the cleaning process. How are you notified? How are repairs or replacements managed? What if it is something that is not replaceable such as a family heirloom or antique? As mentioned in point #3, you should only be working with an insured cleaner, so your losses are covered. Still, you want to know how you will be compensated before entrusting your home to the cleaning company.

You should also feel free to ask any questions that are specific to your needs. This might include concerns about someone with mobility issues who might be at home, allergies you might have to certain cleaning products or fragrances, concerns about security, etc. By asking these questions and anything else that comes to mind, you can feel safer knowing that you have hired the right company to handle your residential cleaning services.

Speak to our team of professional residential cleaning services at Maid4Condos today by calling us at 647-822-0601, or click here for a quote.

If you’ve decided that keeping your apartment clean has become too much trouble, it’s time to consider hiring an apartment cleaning service. However, this can be a tricky proposition if you don’t have a cleaning company in mind. Cleaning companies are a dime a dozen in the GTA, which can make it difficult to know who to trust. When it’s time to finally call in the pros, though, use the following tips to vet different apartment cleaning services to find the right team for the job.

Start With Referrals or Reviews

Asking around is the best place to start. This way, you’ll hear from people you trust and can narrow down your search. If you don’t find any referrals, you can turn to olnine reviews.

Keep in mind that it’s impossible to please everyone, so even if you read a few bad reviews, but the majority are positive and the star rating is high, you can feel pretty confident the company can be trusted. A company with solid positive reviews might seem like the best choice, but it often could mean something is amok. Since no one is perfect, it may be that the reviews are not honest, which could mean the company can’t be trusted.

Check Credentials

Only consider apartment cleaning services with fully bonded and insured workers. If something is broken or goes missing, or someone is injured while cleaning your apartment, you limit your losses. If you don’t see anything about bonding, certifications, or insurance on their website, then make sure you ask for proof. If they don’t have it, they aren’t the company for you.

Experience and Testimonials

While it’s always a nice thought to give the little guy a chance, when it comes to cleaning services, experience counts. Check for things like accreditations, awards, and testimonials that support the story the cleaning company’s website tells. Reputation is a big part of a cleaning company’s abilities, and testimonials and awards speak volumes about their capabilities. As well, memberships with creditable associations show the company is committed to excellence, and view their role as a cleaning company as a professional service they take seriously.

The Right Services

Make sure the cleaning company offers the right types of services for your needs. In some cases, they might be offering too many things you don’t want to have to pay for, while in others they don’t do enough. You can also look for companies that can customize their services to meet your needs if their packages don’t quite line up with your expectations.

Standing Behind Their Work

This is very important. While insurance takes care of things like breakage or damage, a guarantee that stands behind the cleaning services provided ensures the cleaning is handled to your satisfaction.

What process does the company offer to manage issues when you aren’t happy, or something is missed? How quickly will they respond and make things right?

You don’t want to deal with a company that doesn’t offer a satisfaction guarantee. This means they don’t stand behind their work and don’t feel they need to make amends if customers aren’t happy.

The Cleaning Team

You might be surprised to find that many cleaning companies actually contract their work out to other cleaning companies. You, however, want a cleaning company with their own cleaning team. This is very important because it means they take the time to vet their hires, train them, and know who they are sending into your home. If you don’t see anything on their website about their team, then make sure to ask.

You want to make sure they have their own full-time cleaners with experience and training to provide a thorough cleaning that is supervised and standardized to a high level of service. A good cleaning company is very careful with their hiring process, and ensures every reference is checked, a background check is run, and that each person receives the same training.

The Right Tools and Cleaning Products

Smaller cleaning companies often require you to provide cleaning supplies and tools. This is never a good idea, as you want to know the right tools and products are being used to get a professional level of cleanliness. You also want to understand the types of cleaning solutions used.

Are they safe for pets and kids? Do they leave behind a residue or odour? Are they toxic if not rinsed properly? Do they use different cleaners in the kitchen (where food is prepared) than they do in the bathroom?

Make sure you ask these questions before hiring a cleaning service. Also, you might actually prefer them to use your own mops or cleaning solutions. Some people feel this is safer. Speak to your cleaner about this if it is important, and see if they are willing to work with you on your terms.

Cancellation Fees

Keeping in mind that the time scheduled for your cleaning services is how the cleaning company makes a living, be sure to ask if they charge a cancellation fee. If you cancel at the last minute, this leaves the team without work for that time period, as well as without pay. Some companies might charge a fee for last-minute cancellations to cover their costs. If you tend to have a less-than-reliable schedule, this becomes more of an issue.

Consider the First Cleaning Job

One of the things many people forget to do when vetting a cleaning service is to consider the first cleaning job. Once you schedule a cleaner, don’t just settle on them as the right company for the job. Look at their work and make sure it meets or exceeds your expectations. There is no point in paying a company to perform a service that doesn’t provide what you need.

If things aren’t up to your standards, contact them right away and let them know. A good cleaning service will be quick to make things right, and will know what to do the next time they come into your home. Consider all aspects of the job, including if they show up at the scheduled time, that they are courteous, and that you know right away your apartment has been cleaned as soon as you walk in the door.

If you are ready to hire apartment cleaning services, the Maid4Condo team specializes in condos and apartments. Speak to our team today by calling us at 647-822-0601.