Hidden Fees with Home Cleaning Services

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This fee is often non-negotiable, but you can reduce it by scheduling regular cleanings or grouping services (e.g., multiple homes or units on the same day). Some companies may waive the fee for larger jobs or if you live within a specific radius of their service center.

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Why and How

When booking a service, be clear about your expectations. Ask for a quote on what’s included in the standard cleaning and what would be considered 'deep cleaning.' You may be able to negotiate these tasks for lower costs or ask if they offer package deals for deep cleaning and regular maintenance.

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To avoid this fee, provide your own cleaning supplies. Alternatively, you can ask the service provider upfront if you can supply your own products and have the fee waived. Some companies may allow flexibility, especially for environmentally friendly or hypoallergenic products.

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To save on costs, you can request a flat-rate pricing for your cleaning session based on your home’s square footage or number of rooms. Additionally, you can ask the cleaning service to provide an estimated time for completion, so you’re prepared for potential additional costs. Regular cleanings may also be cheaper since the home will be in better condition and require less time.

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Be clear about what you want cleaned and ask for a detailed quote upfront. You may be able to negotiate these fees if you agree to have multiple areas cleaned during the same visit or choose to exclude certain tasks from the cleaning session.

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If you have pets, inquire about these additional costs in advance. You can negotiate a reduction or ask for a package deal where pet-related services are bundled into the regular cleaning. Some services also offer pet-friendly cleaning at no extra charge, so it’s worth asking.

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If possible, try to schedule cleanings during off-peak hours or weekdays to avoid extra charges. Alternatively, you could try negotiating with the company, especially if you are a loyal customer or have multiple cleaning appointments scheduled.

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To avoid these fees, give as much notice as possible when needing to cancel or reschedule. If you are a repeat customer, you may be able to request a one-time waiver or negotiate the fee if there are valid reasons for cancellation.

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Be sure to mention any specific issues you’d like addressed upfront, and ask for a quote to include these treatments. You can also ask if the service offers discounts for recurring treatments or bundling specific tasks together.

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If gratuity is included, you may be able to negotiate to have it removed, especially if the service was subpar. If it’s not included, you have the option of tipping at your discretion, and it’s usually best to tip based on satisfaction. Inquire about the tipping policy at the time of booking to avoid surprises.

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If you don’t need a full deep clean, stick with a regular cleaning service. Make sure to ask about the pricing difference upfront and compare options. If you're looking for a deep cleaning, try negotiating a discount for multiple services or regular cleanings.

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Ask if cleaning furniture is included in the base price or if it's an add-on. You may be able to get a discount if you choose to clean several items at once or opt for a regular cleaning contract that includes upholstery cleaning as part of the package.