I messaged Spectra Cleaning Services asking for a quote for a Move Out Clean. Craig was quick to reply and gave a transparent breakdown of cost after he had the specs on my apartment (square footage, how many bathrooms etc).
The price was not broken down by hour, but by the type of clean requested (details of what's covered in each category are available on their website). That made sense to me, they shouldn't be penalized if they are efficient! That said, when I initially received the quote there was some sticker shock - but I thought about it and asked myself a few key questions:
1. How long would this take me to complete alone? Am I on a time crunch?
2. How much would the cleaning supplies cost?
(chemicals, shop-vac etc. etc).
3. How much do I get paid hourly? I personally would expect to pay a comparable wage to each employee that came in.
4. What is the benefit to having someone else do it for me?
I did have some hesitancy:
1. Guilt: Do I hire someone to do something I *could* do?
2. Skepticism: They want me to e-transfer the ENTIRE payment BEFORE I even meet them?! Before any work is complete? Is this a scam??
3. Fear: What if I hire them, and they don't meet my expectations? Then I'll have to go behind them and clean until it is up to *my* standards (which would defeat the purpose of hiring them to save me time/reduce stress).
I browsed their client reviews; they were consistently positive so I decided to hire them.
Let me tell you, it was the BEST decision I've made in a long time.
Craig and Jenna arrived (on time), with all the needed supplies. They were friendly, professional, and also non-judgemental re the current state of my apartment (mid-move mess). I immediately felt at ease with their presence in my space.
They wore appropriate PPE per our current provincial guidelines, which I appreciated.
I gave them a quick tour, and they IMMEDIATELY started working. They went full tilt for about 4 -5 hours.
Seriously. No lollygagging. They didn't stop. I can't stress how hard they worked.
They didn't cut corners, and completed everything I needed in a fraction of the time of would have taken me.
Everything sparkled.
The oven looked like a new appliance.
I could eat off the floor.
I opened every cupboard, every drawer to inspect - no crumbs, no streaks, glossy.
Is this heaven?, I asked.
It made me wish I wasn't moving out of province.
Well worth it.
Would 100% hire them again without hesitation.