Whether one is an owner of a business or a home, cleaning is always an issue that needs to be done and produces few volunteers to carry-out the tasks. Smart management opts to out-source the everyday, menial and thankless chores that seem to go on forever. The problem is who can one trust to protect valuables as much as expected while doing a job worthy of the invoice the service generates? The big question here is really whether to go with a franchise or a local company to handle the job. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
For many, a house cleaning service is a major priority. In the case of a business, a dirty or clean workplace reflects on the brand. No one likes a messy office, no matter what the product being sold. Even car repair shops and gas stations try to offer a store front that is clean. Potential clients may choose to work with your competitor over you simply due to the lack of cleanliness (which translates to lack of organization). In this case, a franchise may be the best bet. They are generally reliable and do an excellent job. However, to obtain this excellent service, one will pay substantially for it. These housekeeping services companies want a fixed schedule and a fixed price. In other words, they want to be paid every month without fail. Many will even require a contract, as well. Just like with most things in life, you get what you pay for and in this case, it will be clean office that reflects well on your company.
For homeowners, cleanliness is a reflection of you but in a lesser manner than with a business. People expect that a successful business needs to be able to afford to clean. In the case of homeowners, friends and relatives offer a certain amount of grace and understanding to a messy home but only to a point. After that, the gossip and finger-pointing begins. If a cleaning service is needed, then who to hire becomes a question of how important is your image to the world. If it is exceptionally important and you cannot do it yourself, then hiring a franchise to perform the work may be the best solution. Maids will reliably show-up on time and clean everything. However, most homeowners do not having a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning fee in their budget and will have some weeks where they do not wish to have a service at all. For those, a local cleaning service may be a better choice. Their prices are generally more affordable and they usually want a schedule but no contract. They also are willing to cancel appointments more easily and often will send the same cleaners to your home so special instructions are more likely to be followed.
Choosing between a franchise and a local housekeeping services company is a difficult choice. Franchises offer reliability, while local companies offer flexibility. As far as the cost is concerned, franchises are usually more expensive and require a contract but when weighing the hidden costs of having a reputation of being unclean, it may not cost as much as originally thought. Bottom line is that it about weighing costs against how important it is to you to have a clean reputation. In the case of businesses, it should be extremely important and for homeowners, it more about personal preference.
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