If you know you weren't born to clean, then a professional
cleaner or cleaning company is a must. And whether you are seeking
help
at home or the office, you're sure to avoid a real mess if you
follow these tips.
Do not fall for this scam: the new reference-free
cleaner seems nice, so you give her more and more responsibility
until the
day you go on holiday, leaving her the keys, only to return to
an empty house. Consumer spots on daytime TV warn Spaniards against
such tricks.
But hiring a cleaner doesn't have to be hazardous to your home.
The first - and often most difficult step, as a foreigner - is
finding someone with good references. Start with your next door
neighbours and then try the owners of the local chemist, bakery
and bar. These business people tend to be well-established in the
community and their networks are far reaching. Often they will
be able to recommend the trusted employee that cleans their establishment
and who is either looking for more hours, or has a close friend
or relative seeking work. In any case, the more connections your
cleaner has to the local community, the better.
At the time of writing (autumn 2002) cleaners in
Andalucía
make 6 euros per hour in small towns and rural areas and 6 to 8
euros an hour in most cosmopolitan zones. Some cleaners prefer
to work for a set rate per month, and if you agree to this, they
will expect to receive that amount regardless of whether a month
has 4 weeks or 5, and whether or not their work days fall on bank
holidays. This set amount will usually average out to a lower price
per hour and is usually implemented when a large number of hours
are involved. If you are considering 30 to 40 hours per week, ask
locals in order to determine the going rate - it might be much
lower than you expect. Officially, employers are required to insure
household workers, but the vast majority of cleaners work on the
black market.
Cleaning Companies
In some cities cleaning agencies do offer general house cleaning
services. However, most cleaning companies in Andalucía
are geared either to the industrial or office markets, or they
offer specific services for your home such as floor polishing
and carpet care.
It is essential when hiring a professional cleaning company that
you check credentials to ensure the business is legal and carries
proper insurance. This way, if anything should go wrong - an employee
accidentally incurring damages to your home, for instance - the
company will be held liable and its insurance provider will compensate
you.
It is also important to obtain a written estimate and put all
changes to your order in writing. This not only helps to avoid
potential misunderstandings, but also protects you should there
be a discrepancy in the final bill. Finally, consumer organisations
recommend that for any household services performed, we obtain
a proper bill, complete with the company's name, N.I.F. or C.I.F.
(identification numbers), telephone contact and address as well
as I.V.A. (tax).
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