Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for house cleaning referral companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Anita’s Housekeeping Referral Agency, keeping clients happy comes down to one key factor: open and clear communication throughout the cleaning process. “I got into this industry because I noticed there was a lack of communication between cleaners and customers and realized there was an opportunity to make a difference,” says owner David I. Liu. “By keeping our clients informed and making ourselves available to answer their questions, we’re able to ensure they have great experiences.”

Anita’s Housekeeping Referral Agency has been helping residential clients in Santa Cruz County and San Jose find cleaning professionals since 1994. The company’s services cover everything from general house cleaning to specialized work like post-construction cleanup, and its flexible scheduling system allows customers to adjust the frequency of their cleanings to meet their unique needs.

Unlike less experienced house cleaning referral companies that take a “hands off” approach to vouching for their cleaners, Anita’s Housekeeping Referral Agency utilizes a rigorous screening process to ensure all of its cleaners have the proper qualifications. “Our customers never have to question whether their cleaners have adequate training or experience,” affirms Mr. Liu. “The fact that we work with such a large range of cleaning professionals means we’re able to match our clients with the right professionals for their needs, which they really appreciate.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Anita’s Housekeeping Referral Agency is its dedication to staying local in every aspect of its operations. “We have a physical presence in each market that we serve,” explains Mr. Liu. “Every market is different, so we hire locally to make sure our cleaners understand the geography and how that impacts their work.”

When it comes to hiring a cleaning professional, a referral agency can simplify the process for you.

If you’re in the market for a house cleaner, you might be surprised to see how many companies are out there. To make things more challenging, many of these companies have a hard time keeping up with demand and struggle to hire qualified employees, so you may not get the quality you’re expecting. Instead of vetting each company yourself, consider hiring a housekeeping referral agency—they’ll act as a matchmaker and find the right professional for your needs.

What to look for in a housekeeping referral agency
“In the house cleaning industry, there’s more demand than supply, so some agencies hire just about anyone to fill those jobs,” warns David Liu, owner of Anita’s Housekeeping Referral Agency in Aptos. “That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re working with a reputable company that does a great job of training and screening. You also want to make sure they’ve done background checks on the people who are coming to your home.”

Mr. Liu says it’s a good idea to find a referral company that has a local presence. “Every market is different, so hiring a company with ties to your community can help ensure the cleaners understand the geography and how that impacts their work.”

Insurance coverage is important, too. Many homeowners insurance policies cover damage or loss due to accidents during house cleaning, but because referral agencies don’t employ the cleaners they recommend, those independent contractors should carry their own liability and workers’ compensation insurance. If that’s important to you, you’ll need to ask your cleaner about their insurance coverage before work begins.

The final thing Mr. Liu recommends is finding a referral company that offers small details that make you more comfortable throughout the process, like convenient communication (email, phone or text message) and simple booking procedures. “You should also have the ability to choose the cleaner you work with,” he adds. “It’s the company’s job to match you with the right person, but you should have the final say.”

Q: How much do your services cost?
A: The price depends on how many housekeepers come to your home and how long they spend there. There’s no fixed price—the cleaners get paid for the hours they work.

Q: Can I request the same cleaner every time?
A: Yes.

Q: Are the cleaners employees of your company?
A: We’re a referral company, so the cleaners who are registered with us are not our employees. However, they have been rigorously vetted and screened.

Q: Are your cleaners trained and experienced?
A: Absolutely. We only register cleaners who are already experienced and trained, so you never have to question whether the person who’s cleaning your home is qualified.

Q: How long will it take to clean my home?
A: It depends on the size of your home and the extent of the cleaning, but we’ll give you an estimate before any work begins.

Q: What should I do before I call you?
A: The first thing you should do is walk through your home and write down your priorities. By being transparent upfront, you can make sure your cleaner is prepared to take care of your needs.