Looking for genuine word of mouth recommendation for a cleaner

[RBtheCatman]

Searching on behalf of a neighbour who has arthritic hands. She needs a trustworthy cleaner who can also help with ironing and preparation of vegetables. She's got leaflets from Cleaning AMW, AL Cleaning services, KDT Cleaners, The Cleaner Solution, Dolphin Domestic, One-call-solution, Nationwide cleaners, Merry Maid, Molly Maid, Brighter cleaners, GMeryclean, DiamZ, Timefor you, Crystal cleaning and cleaning gurus but doesn't know if theyre any good. Seems to be a bit of minefield.

[shuntman]

I have pm'd you ok :)

[AudreyC]

I used to own and run a cleaning agency - absolute nightmare.

If going through an agency check that they have fully comprehensive insurance not contingent as the latter is useless.

Ask for a cleaner that has been with them for years, avoid Fridays and Thursdays, and ask to see the ID and address checks plus references taken up. Some agencies claim they do this but don't bother.

If you give your cleaner a key then make sure they understand that if you're paying for three hours help, you expect three hours of work to be completed. If they want to leave early then they should take the appropriate payment/leave change.

Customers also need to be realistic when it comes to expectations - if you can't clean, iron and change the bedding in your home yourself in three hours, your cleaner won't be able to do it all in two hours!