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Hiring Household Help and Tradespeople

How to find locksmiths, plumbers, house cleaners and other tradespeople who'll fix problems, not be problems themselves

Hiring Household Help and Tradespeople
James Worrell
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How to Find a House Cleaner

Tasks and Fees
Cleans up your messes. Charges $20 to $35 an hour.

Where to Find One
National Association of Professional Cleaners, (www.cleaningassociation.com).

Before You Hire One
Meet candidates in person and take them on a tour of your house to gauge their enthusiasm and conscientiousness.

Common Pitfalls
Relying solely on a cleaning person who has no flexibility or on a big, impersonal company that won't send you the same crew twice.

They'll Know You Mean Business When You Say...
“How many hours does it typically take you to clean a home my size? What type of cleaning supplies do you usually use?” Find out in advance how much a full cleaning will cost, not just the hourly rate. And make sure you approve the supplies.


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