Frequently Asked Questions

What is the procedure for arranging a housekeeper?
What does the housekeeper clean?
How soon can you send a housekeeper?
If we like the housekeeper, can we request them again?
What if I want a new housekeeper?
What if I only need occasional cleaning?
Do you clean move-outs and move-ins?
Do I stay with the housekeeper during cleaning?
How many housekeepers will clean my home?
Do you use my cleaning supplies?
Do you require cancellation notice?
Is cleaning guaranteed?
How do I pay?
What about tipping?
Is Dana’s Housecleaning licensed, bonded and insured?
Should I give the housekeeper a key to my house?
Do you do criminal background checks?
What if something is broken?
What if something is missing?
Can I be a housekeeper at Dana’s Housecleaning?

What is the procedure for arranging a housekeeper?

• We ask the approximate square footage of your home, number of bedrooms and baths, if pets are in the house, and the general extent of cleaning. We then propose an estimated number of hours required and the cost.
• We ask your desired schedule for the cleaning and find an available housekeeper to meet your needs.
• We record your name, address, phone number(s), discuss cleaning highlights and whether the housekeeper needs to bring supplies.
• The housekeeper will call you the evening before your appointment to discuss cleaning requirements, confirm timing and get directions to your home.

What does the housekeeper clean?

Most clients are residences. However, housekeepers also provide commercial office cleaning.

The housekeepers have experience and know-how of what to “normally” clean, but, more importantly, they work to your list of priorities and requirements. We ask that you prepare a list with any special items you specifically want done or areas you feel are particularly important.

Dana's Housecleaning has experience placing housekeepers in homes, condos and apartments of any size. When scheduling your cleaning, we ask for the approximate size of the home (in square feet), number of bedrooms and baths and whether you have any pets. This will help determine the extent of cleaning required and the best combination of housekeepers and hours to complete the job.

The housekeeper's goal is your complete satisfaction with the cleaning.

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How soon can you send a housekeeper?

We can usually match a request for next-day service and sometimes the afternoon of a morning request. The busiest days for appointments are Thursday and Friday.

The housekeepers generally work within two daily time periods: 8:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 5:00pm.

If we like the housekeeper, can we request them again?

Yes, this is our goal. We place a professional and experienced housekeeper in your home with the expectation that they will meet your approval and become your regular housekeeper.

Our most experienced housekeepers are quickly booked for regular service. We suggest you schedule your housekeeper based on availability.

What if I want a new housekeeper?

If you are not satisfied with your housecleaning, we can refer another housekeeper for your next service appointment. Your satisfaction is our goal and we provide a housekeeper to clean to your requirements.

What if I only need occasional cleaning?

Most clients schedule service on a regular basis (weekly or biweekly). However, occasional service can be arranged within the housekeepers' regular client schedules.

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Do you clean move-outs and move-ins?

Dana's Housecleaning frequently schedules housekeepers for housecleaning when:

• Preparing your home for sale
• Keeping your home in "showcase" condition for realtors
• Preparing for an open house
• Cleaning an empty house for the final move-out
• Ensuring a clean, fresh start in your new home

Cleaning an empty house includes closets, walls, inside cabinets and drawers, all floor areas, inside kitchen appliances not normally accessible, all windows, porches, garages, etc.

Housekeepers also clean dust, debris and dirt following construction or remodeling.

Do I stay with the housekeeper during cleaning?

Specific arrangements can be made between you and your housekeeper. You should be there for the first cleaning session to introduce the housekeeper to the home and discuss your priorities. However, you decide the best arrangements once you have a regular housekeeper and schedule. Many clients are comfortable with leaving the housekeeper alone in the house.

How many housekeepers will clean my home?

For jobs of five or fewer hours, Dana's Housecleaning normally refers one housekeeper. Jobs requiring six or more hours, usually involves two housekeepers. They would do the total housecleaning work-hours in half the time. In other words, two housekeepers would complete eight hours of cleaning service in four hours. However, if you prefer, we can arrange one housekeeper for eight hours.

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Do you use my cleaning supplies?

Our clients generally prefer use of their cleaning supplies and equipment. Using your vacuum cleaner, mop, broom, rags or dusters does not introduce new allergens, animal dander, dirt, bacteria and germs from other homes. It also does not introduce new and unfamiliar chemicals, cleaning solvents and materials into your home and leaves the house with the smells and shine to which you are accustomed. Housekeepers can recommend preferred cleaning supplies and will advise when re-supply is needed.

However, if you wish, housekeepers are fully prepared to provide their own complete set of cleaning supplies.

Do you require cancellation notice?

If you need to change or cancel a scheduled service, we prefer two business days notice. The housekeeper would be available to return to your regular schedule on the next cleaning, or we can arrange a cleaning sooner, as schedules permit.

Is cleaning guaranteed?

Dana's Housecleaning supports our independent housekeeper contractors and expects each housekeeper to meet, or exceed, client expectations. Please call us if you are not satisfied with the cleaning and we will take the necessary steps to ensure your complete satisfaction.

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How do I pay?

Payment is due at the time of service. We prefer a personal check payable to Dana's Housecleaning. We will estimate the cost when scheduling the appointment and adjust the fee based on the actual time worked. Call Dana's Housecleaning to confirm the final total cost.

If you will not be home, please leave the payment on the kitchen counter. The housekeeper will not start cleaning without confirming payment. If the cleaning takes less time than estimated and paid, we will apply the credit to the next appointment.

Other payment arrangements can be made with regular clients.

What about tipping?

Tips are at your discretion and though not expected, are always appreciated. You can include your tip within your check for the cleaning. All tips and any fees paid for supplies are directly turned over to the housekeeper.

Is Dana's Housecleaning licensed, bonded and insured?

Dana's Housecleaning retains a current Business Tax License for Knox County and the City of Knoxville. Licenses are posted at our office for review. Dana's Housecleaning is also fully bonded and insured with a major nationwide insurance and bond carrier. Insurance and bonding documentation is available upon request.

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Should I give the housekeeper a key to my house?

We recommend that you do not provide your housekeeper with a key to your home. Housekeepers do not depart from and return to the Dana's Housecleaning office daily, so we cannot control and hold the key in a secure place.

We suggest you make an arrangement to hide a key, on each cleaning day, in a spot that only you and your housekeeper know. The housekeeper enters, cleans your home, leaves the key on your kitchen counter with a receipt, and locks the door when leaving. Thus, the key remains on your property at all times.

Another option is giving the housekeeper a specific entry code to your automatic garage door keypad.

Do you do criminal background checks?

A nationwide criminal background check is processed for each potential housekeeping contractor. The housekeeper's report is reviewed prior to their first appointment.

What if something is broken?

Housekeepers like what they do and the service they provide. We expect them to work carefully, however, accidents can happen. The housekeeper is advised to immediately tell you of what broke and how it happened. If you are not home, they will call you or leave a message explaining the situation. Housekeepers, as independent contractors responsible for any damages, will make arrangements for reasonable replacement or repair.

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What if something is missing?

Housekeepers are independent contractors and are responsible for any damages, injury or theft. Each housekeeper completes an interview and reference review. We also do a national criminal background check. Theft or inappropriate behavior would quickly terminate their ability to work in housecleaning. The housekeepers we refer are trustworthy.

In the event that an item is missing, please report it to us immediately so we can facilitate a resolution between you and the housekeeper.

Can I be a housekeeper at Dana's Housecleaning?

Dana's Housecleaning is always seeking Knoxville's best housekeepers to join our team of independent contractors. We have been very successful in referring our housekeepers to many of the finest homes in this area. We seek clients to fill your schedule to the level of work you wish.

It is important that you have experience in residential cleaning and have reliable transportation. We evaluate each contractor candidate for experience, clean record for being trustworthy, good attitude, communication skills, courtesy and dependability.

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