To know more details about our cleaning services, read below the most frequently asked questions about Ottawa Valley Maids in Ottawa Valley. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask us!

• Do I have to do anything before the cleaning?

Taking a few minutes to prepare for your cleaning allows us to serve you better. If you are able to pick up any scattered clothing, toys, and other household items, the cleaner will be able to clean more area of the home. We want you to "get what you pay for." You may leave fresh linens simply sitting on the bed, and your cleaner will strip and remake the beds with the clean linens.

• Do I have to be home when the cleaner comes?

Most of our clients’ work schedules do not allow them to be home. However, you are welcome to stay in the house while we take care of your cleaning. Our cleaners often enjoy the company.

• How do I pay for my cleaning service?

We accept payments either in check or cash. Please make checks payable to Ottawa Valley Maids. Payment is expected at the time of service and will be collected by the cleaner.

• Is it okay to leave a note for the cleaning person?

Definitely, yes! Feel free to communicate any specifics about your home or special information for the day of your service. If you have questions or concerns about the service, please contact our office so we can assure your needs are met.

• What if I have a security system?

Our cleaners are used to dealing with alarms and security systems. It would be ideal to either leave the alarm off on your service day, or if possible, provide a separate code assigned to us as your cleaning service.

Unfortunately, there have been countless times when customers choose not to give their alarm code. Not only is this ordeal nerve-racking, but if we are not able to reach you, we would not be able to stay and clean your home, and you will be incurred with a lock-out charge. Plus, most local police departments charge a fee for false alarms.

We are a professional service; you can feel confident allowing us to (at a minimum) keep an alarm code on file.

• What about my pets?

We are accustomed to working in homes with pets. If you are confident that your pet will not harm or intimidate the cleaner, then feel free to leave your pet behind. However, if you are not sure how your pet may react to us being in your home, we ask that you please make arrangements to have them secured.

Also, PLEASE let us know before the start of service if you have a pet that may try to escape quickly if a door is opened. Nothing is more upsetting to a staff member than an escaped animal over which they have no control over. We assure you that if we interact with your pet, we will treat them with respect and kindness.

• Can I get my oven cleaned?

We are happy to accommodate any cleaning requests. Items such as this are not included in our routine service, but can be easily added to a service visit. Please contact our office prior to your scheduled cleaning so we can discuss your interests, any additional fees, and assure your cleaner has allotted time to take care of the tasks.

• What if something is broken?

Unfortunately, breakage happens occasionally with even the most experienced and conscience-cleaning professional. If an incident occurs while you are home, your cleaner will alert you on the spot. If you are not home, the item and a note will be left. In either situation, please contact our office as soon as possible so we can discuss the repair, replacement, or in some cases, proper compensation for the item.

• Are they going to do my dishes?

We do not wash the dishes, pots, pans, or utensils. However, it is our practice to check the availability of the dishwasher. If the dishwasher is not holding clean dishes, then we will attempt to load any dishes from the sink or those that can be collected from other rooms. Otherwise, the cleaner will work around the dishes to the best of their ability. Your cleaner will not unload the dishwasher or attempt to put things away.

• What do I have to supply?

As our customer, you do not have to provide any supplies or equipment except for the vacuum. Most maid services bring their vacuums. However, we feel that this is an unsanitary practice. It is easy to transfer fleas and other pests from one home to another through a vacuum. Your cleaner will be completely armed with products that are both environment-friendly and leave a pleasant scent to your home.

If you have a product or cleaning equipment that you prefer to be used in your home, let us know and we will gladly use what you provide.

• What if I am unhappy with the service I receive?

We guarantee the quality of our service. If there is an area that you are not happy with, please call us. We welcome comments and we will do everything we can to ensure that you are happy with the service.

Given the opportunity, we will address your concerns immediately, even if it warrants a re-cleaning of the areas. We do ask that you call immediately; it is helpful for the cleaners if they are able to see the oversight while it is obvious, instead of few days have already passed with the house being “lived in”.

• What if I only want the same cleaner in my house?

The initial cleaning is typically performed by the cleaner who would service your home on a regular schedule. However, one of the benefits in using a service is a full and capable staff. If your regular cleaner is not available on the day we come to your home, another cleaner can come, and your service does not have to be interrupted.

If having only one cleaner is important to you, please ask to be notified before a different cleaner is sent to your home. We try diligently to have the same person at your home each time, but please keep in mind that the turnover rates for jobs in this industry is quite high. All of our cleaners are screened and have a service-oriented state of mind.

• Am I supposed to tip the person that cleans my home?

While tips are not expected, they are appreciated.

• Do I have to hand over a key to a stranger?

While it is your house, your key, and certainly your decision, it would be very convenient if you will let us keep a key to your home. This act is most common if you are working on a regular schedule and no one is home to let the cleaner in; and it is usually not probable for the cleaning people to be able to come to your home at the exact time.

Our service also has a trip fee. If we arrive for your scheduled cleaning appointment and we are not able to get in to the house, there will be an additional 50% to your cleaning fee. Our service utilizes a lock box in our main office. Your house key is assigned a number and is not attached to any of your personal information. Your key will only be signed out to your cleaner on the day of your service.

• What if I need to skip a cleaning appointment?

We ask you to provide at least a 48-hour notice for all cancelled appointments. Once we take a reservation, we hold that timeslot open for you and turn away other potential clients in order to ensure your time frame. We will gladly reschedule your service to accommodate your needs. If the appointment is not cancelled and we arrive for your service, a lock-out fee will apply.

Exceptions to this policy will of course be made for emergency situations.