You want to hire a house maid in Delhi for “general housekeeping” and now you’re arguing in circles over whether cleaning the kitchen counter falls under “extra” or not. This is what this post is about.
Most disputes between families and housekeepers derive from miscommunications set at the very hiring. Knowing what to expect from your hired help right on the first day can save you months of petty quarrels and misunderstandings. Here’s how to avoid this with your upcoming maid.
What exactly is it that “general housekeeping” covers?
This term is vague and what it actually includes can vary from house to house.
“General housekeeping” covers
• cleaning living spaces, as well as bedrooms and bathrooms
• washing, tidying, and putting away dishes after meals
• laundry
• tidying and dusting of the various rooms
• light maintenance (beds made, etc)
but not
• cooking or related chores
• childcare or eldercare
• major cleaning jobs (scrubbing, etc)
• pet maintenance (unless specified)
This knowledge will make sure you don’t fall into the trap of expecting a specialist’s help from a general cleaner.
General housekeeping vs Specialized Help: What to Know Before You Hire a House Maid in Delhi
The families that suffer the most from “isn’t this included?” type of disputes are the ones that fail to make the distinction between “general housekeeping” and other forms of cleaning help.
“General housekeeping” is right for you if
• you don’t need someone to clean beyond the bare minimum
• you don’t need childcare or other related services
• you want a reliable worker to tackle the basic, day-to-day chores
while the help you need is more specialized if
• you want someone to cook for you or you want to be able to rely on them for childcare in addition to cleaning
• you require more intensive cleaning beyond regular housekeeping (deep cleaning, scrubbing, etc)
Making the distinction helps you shortlist candidates based on your actual needs.
The checklist to have ready before you interview anyone
I always advise families to prepare this well in advance, before they actually meet a candidate.
Your housekeeping tasks checklist should be detailed
it should specify which tasks get done on a daily basis and which ones are occasional, how laundry is handled, whether dishes get done after every course or only once a day, which surfaces require extra cleaning (windows, floors), etc. Handing this to your candidate during the screening interview serves two purposes: it shows you what they would be responsible for, and it demonstrates whether they would be a good fit for the job before you actually hire a house maid in Delhi for the position.
What else to do before you hire a house maid in Delhi
Alongside the checklist, several other things should be done before you officially hire a house maid in Delhi.
• Ask to see ID proof and address verification in writing
This is standard procedure, although many families forget to do this when they’re in a rush.
• Get your domestic help verification Delhi
Make sure to confirm whether police verification has been done, either by the agency placing you with a cleaner or by the cleaner themselves if you hired them directly. This step ensures everyone’s safety.
• Get references
Call their previous employers and ask them to comment on the cleaner’s reliability and level of work.
• Discuss the tasks mentioned in the checklist
During the screening interview, ask them if any of the tasks mentioned are unacceptable to them, before you hire a house maid in Delhi for the job.
Setting your daily housekeeping routine from day one
This is yet another step many families forget to take. A lot of disputes could be mitigated if someone actually sat down with the housemaid and discussed what their everyday duties would be, right from day one.
Discuss the daily housekeeping routine, i.e. tasks the cleaner should do as a matter of course, as well as any other chores that they can do if asked. Establish a timeframe (what hours the cleaner should work within), order of operations (what tasks should be done first), and method of communication (how and when any additional tasks should be requested). Establish the schedule for weekly offs and discuss what should be done in case of any holidays falling on these days. Failing to do this results in families renegotiating terms and conditions every couple of months, instead of once a year.
What to do during the trial period
A trial period cannot be used as an excuse to waste time: have an evaluation sheet ready that outlines the criteria the cleaner must meet. Use your checklist to indicate what tasks they should be able to perform consistently and what questions they should ask for clarification if needed. Were they punctual? Did they ask for guidance when they were unsure what to do? Were they reliable and honest?
A couple of weeks of watching them go through the checklist you created can tell you much more than an introductory conversation ever could.
The red flags to watch out for
If any of the following apply to your candidate, cross them off your shortlist.
• They refuse to give you ID proof or allow you to do address verification
This should be a deal-closer.
• They seem evasive regarding their personal details or previous work experience
If they keep hedging and don’t give you straight answers, it’s a warning sign.
• They become uncomfortable when you go through your task checklist
This indicates a possible lack of reliability.
• They are frequently absent, even during the trial period
This speaks for itself.
• They are unwilling to let you contact their previous employers
This is another warning sign.
If several of these apply to a given candidate, it’s better to move on to the next one. Most of these issues stem from a lack of experience on the cleaner’s part, which is why it’s a good idea to hire a house maid in Delhi only after you’ve done the screening steps mentioned above.
How much does it cost to hire a house maid in Delhi?
The cost of hiring a cleaner depends on several factors, some of which may overlap.
• Full-time and part-time help, as well as those living in and those living out, are priced differently
• The extent of the duties also affects the price, since there’s always a difference between a broad checklist and a focused one
• The candidate’s level of experience also matters, depending on their previous employers and the number of years spent in the profession
• The medium through which you hire a house maid in Delhi also has an impact on the cost, since working directly with a cleaner usually doesn’t come with additional expenses unlike hiring through an agency
Paying a little more for a cleaner who comes recommended from a live-in maid in Delhi placement, or for verified part-time help, is always a good idea, considering the stress associated with the entire process of finding someone.
Why go through an agency as opposed to a building reference
Many families opt for building references when they are looking to hire a house maid in Delhi, but this option comes with several disadvantages in comparison to house maid agency in Delhi.
A professional agency will provide you with verified candidates who have undergone identity and reference checks, as well as provide you with an easier, faster replacement if a cleaner doesn’t prove to be a good fit. Additionally, you’ll have the benefit of proper documentation, which will make it easier to clarify the duties and the salary as well as hold the cleaner accountable if the need arises.
Conclusion
Hiring a housemaid is not a numbers game. It doesn’t involve some elusive “chemistry” between the family and the cleaner. It’s about setting exact requirements for “general housekeeping” and making sure the person you hire meets them before you give them access to your home. Avoid using vague job descriptions and make sure to prepare a detailed housekeeping tasks checklist before you hire a house maid in Delhi. This way, the disputes that usually arise later down the line will be avoided from the very beginning.
At Solitaire Consultancy Services, we assist Delhi families in establishing the requirements for “general housekeeping,” as well as provide verified candidates who know in advance what they are getting themselves into. If you’d rather not sift through dozens of candidates on your own, we’d be more than happy to help you hire a house maid in Delhi from our pre-screened pool.
