One-Off Cleaning Services: What You Should Know
Before the Cleaning:
- Confirm Instructions: Any specific cleaning instructions must be confirmed in writing with our office before the appointment. Please avoid giving additional directions to cleaners on the day of service.
- Parking/Access Information: Provide any special instructions regarding parking, building access, or entry to your property (e.g., gate codes, key locations) in advance via email to avoid delays.
- Time-Sensitive Events: If the cleaning coincides with a check-out or other time-sensitive event, inform us in advance so we can plan accordingly.
- Timely Arrival: Ensure that you or an authorized person is present on time for the scheduled cleaning. If we are required to wait more than 15 minutes after the start time, waiting charges will apply, calculated based on the number of cleaners and time waited (in man-hours).
- Clear the Area: Make sure the areas to be cleaned are accessible and free of major obstacles, so our team can work efficiently.
- Last-Minute Changes: If you need any last-minute adjustments to the cleaning scope or timing, please contact the office as soon as possible, and we will try to accommodate where feasible.
During the Cleaning:
- Cleaning Products & Equipment: We will bring all necessary cleaning products and equipment.
- Presence During Cleaning: You do not need to be present during the cleaning. If you choose to stay, please ensure you and others (including pets) remain out of the cleaners' workspace.
- Photo Documentation: We will take ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos for our records.
- Exclusions: Cleaning of walls, exterior windows, window tracks, and sun blinds is not included unless specifically agreed upon in advance.
- Final Inspection: If you wish to inspect the results at the end of the cleaning, notify the office and ensure we can contact you 30 to 60 minutes before completion.
After the Cleaning:
- Lock-Up: Ensure the cleaners have a way to securely lock the door after finishing. If they have to wait for someone to arrive to lock up, waiting charges will apply, calculated in man-hours.
- Invoice & Payment:
- After the cleaning is completed, you will receive an invoice via email with payment details and an IDEAL link for online payment.
- Payment is due within 3 days for private customers and 14 days for business clients.
- If you have questions about the invoice or payment, feel free to contact our office.
- Feedback & Concerns:
- If you have feedback or concerns about the service, notify us within 24 hours so we can address any issues promptly.
- For more details on handling complaints, refer to Article 17 of our General Terms & Conditions (GT&C).
- Final Inspection: Please inspect the cleaned areas after the service to ensure everything meets your expectations.
- Additional Cleaning Requests: Any requests for additional cleaning or follow-up must go through the office, not directly with the cleaners, to ensure proper scheduling and billing.
Arrival, Cleaning Duration, and Finishing Time
Estimated Arrival Times and Job Details
- Morning Jobs: Our estimated arrival time for morning jobs is between 08:30 AM and 10:30 AM.
- Afternoon Jobs: Afternoon jobs are only available if we have a morning job scheduled. For afternoon jobs, we operate within a two-hour time slot (e.g., 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM). Please let us know if you would like us to call you 30 minutes prior to arrival.
- Upon Arrival:
- The team leader will check all areas and take ‘before’ pictures to assess the property, determine the expected duration, and document any existing damages.
- The team leader will communicate the required hours to our office, and our office will contact you if there are any matters that need to be discussed.
- Duration of Cleaning:
- The cleaning hours are estimated in man-hours, meaning hours per cleaner. The total duration can be calculated by dividing the total man-hours of cleaners present. Please contact our office to confirm the number of cleaners scheduled for you job,
- We strive to complete all cleanings in one day. If this is not possible, we will inform you in advance.
- Additional Time:
- If additional time is required beyond what was estimated in the quotation, we will notify you before noon on the same day for morning jobs. If you prefer an earlier update, please feel free to call or email the office.
- Billing for Time:
- If less time is needed, you will only be charged for the actual hours worked, which will be reflected in the invoice.
- Working Hours: Our working hours are from 08:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with a maximum of 8 hours per cleaner per day.
Final Cleaning Guidelines
- Clear the Property: Please ensure the property is completely free of personal belongings such as clothing, food, papers, and other items. Our cleaners are instructed to discard any remaining personal items in order to prepare the space for the next tenant.
- Note: If the property is furnished, we will not remove or dispose of items belonging to the house (e.g., pots, plates, cutlery, decorations).
- Extra Charges for Personal Items: If our team needs to work around personal items or assist with emptying cabinets, additional time and charges may apply.
- Remove All Trash: Ensure the property is free of garbage, including empty bags, boxes, and trash. Disposing of one full bag of trash is included in the price; any additional waste removal will incur extra charges.
- Defrost Freezer: If possible, please switch off and defrost the freezer ahead of time. Be cautious of water leaks during the process, as this will save time during the cleaning.
- Limescale Removal in Bathrooms: For areas with excessive limescale (e.g., bathroom floors), you can place old towels or toilet paper soaked in vinegar on the affected areas overnight. This helps speed up the limescale removal process.
- Important: Do not use vinegar on natural stone or marble surfaces, as it can cause damage.
- Bed Linen: Beds will only be made if clean and complete bed linen is available. Please place the bed linen on the beds beforehand to make the process smoother for the cleaning team.
- Laundry Services: We do not wash laundry at the property. If you have dirty laundry, we offer a collection service where we will take it to our laundrette and return it to you within 3 working days.
What if Extra Time is Needed?
Additional Time and Cleaning Adjustments
If we find that additional time is needed beyond what was estimated in your quotation, we’ll make sure to notify you before noon on the same day for morning jobs.
You’ll receive an email explaining why extra time is necessary, along with any associated costs. If you’d like an update sooner, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone or email.
If you prefer not to proceed with the extra time, please let our office know right away, as we’ll already be busy with the cleaning.
We believe in delivering thorough work, so if you’d like to reduce the hours, we can only exclude complete items or rooms from the cleaning.
Instead of cleaning “less thoroughly” to save time, which can lead to dissatisfaction, we prefer to focus on providing quality service.
If we agree to a less thorough cleaning, please understand that DIRT BUSTERS cannot be held responsible for any resulting complaints, as this decision would be the client's responsibility.
Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain our high standards and quality.
Indicators That Extra Time May Be Needed
The estimated hours provided in our quotation are based on a standard starting point. Any deviations from this standard situation may require additional time to complete the job. If any of the following items apply to your situation, it’s likely that we will need more time than originally quoted:
- Certain areas are dirtier than expected.
- The quotation is based on an unfurnished house, but there are wardrobes, cupboards, or built-in cabinets present.
- There are vertical blinds, horizontal blinds, or shutters that need cleaning.
- Wooden or plastic wall coverings require cleaning.
- The layout of the property includes more rooms than anticipated for the given square footage.
- There is more than one full bathroom.
- There is more than one full kitchen.
- Ceiling heights exceed 2.70 meters.
- There are numerous shelves and cupboards to clean.
- Stickers need to be removed.
- There are relatively large windows or an abundance of windows and glass doors
Deep Cleaning vs Refresher Cleaning
Understanding the difference between deep cleanings and refresher cleanings can help you choose the right service for your needs.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning goes beyond regular cleaning by focusing on a higher level of detail and thoroughness. It includes all standard cleaning tasks, as well as addressing neglected and hard-to-reach areas in your home.
Key Features of Deep Cleaning:
- Comprehensive cleaning of every corner, including baseboards, light fixtures, and behind appliances.
- Removal of built-up dirt and grime from areas often overlooked in regular cleaning.
- A detailed approach to sanitizing kitchens and bathrooms, ensuring all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.
You can find a comprehensive list of items and areas included in our deep cleaning service in our Rates and Services.
The time required for deep cleaning varies based on the current state of cleanliness. Typically, a cleaner space will take less time to achieve our high standards. If you believe a full deep clean isn’t necessary, we can limit the hours to a specific amount. In this case, please provide details about what needs to be cleaned, along with your estimate of the time required.
Refresher Cleaning
Refresher cleanings, on the other hand, are designed for maintaining a home that is already in good condition. This service focuses primarily on light cleaning tasks to refresh your space without the depth of a deep clean.
Key Features of Refresher Cleaning:
- Basic dusting and wiping of all surfaces.
- Ideal for places that have been cleaned thoroughly but have not been used for a long time
- Not suitable for heavily soiled areas.
Important Note: Refresher cleanings are not suitable as move-out cleanings unless the property has been maintained in an exceptionally clean condition. Refreshing typically does not include degreasing, descaling, or stain removal from surfaces like doors, frames, or cabinets.
Please consider this when requesting a quote.
Can You Book DIRT BUSTERS on the Weekend?
You can book DIRT BUSTERS on weekends just like you do on weekdays, subject to availability.
Please keep in mind that there are surcharges for weekend services:
- Saturday: Our regular hourly rate + 50%
- Sunday and Bank Holidays: Our regular hourly rate + 100%
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to serving you!