Q & A: Why We Do What We Do

Why don't you use crews of 3 & 4?
Nearly 30 years ago, we started with crews of 4 in leased vehicles.  When we found that was too cumbersome to do a good job time efficiently, we tried 3, and then 2.  What we have found is that one person is the optimum and occasionally, as the situation demands it, we will have two people on site.

How do you find such good people to clean?
We started from day one paying top dollar (we have always been considerably above minimum wage), we treat them right, and of course do the necessary background check.  But, we also have the benefit of offering no weekends, no evenings and no holidays.

How do you decide what is 'general cleaning' and what isn't?
The rule of thumb is that if the task would typically be done weekly in cleaning, it is general cleaning, and we do it. If it is something that you would typically do once or twice a year, then that is categorized as 'special cleaning'. You wouldn't want to pay weekly for something that should only be done seasonally.

Do you use any dangerous chemicals?
No. All our products are non-toxic, non-abrasive and contain no bleach. We are environmentally and people friendly.

What about mildew stains?
We will clean the surfaces, but we cannot bleach stains due to toxicity and danger to your floor surfaces.

Will you do my "Spring Cleaning"?
Sure. We know that even a weekly thorough, general cleaning will require spring cleaning from time to time. If interested, call to schedule an hourly cleaning. We will work from a prioritized list, which you provide. We prefer you to be home, if possible, to oversee the progress, but do not require it. If we are not trained or equipped to do something requested, we will tell you that. Anytime you ask us to use your products or equipment, we ask you to take responsibility for the results. It is helpful if you can review with the manager over the phone what you would like our staff to accomplish for you at the time you schedule the special cleaning.

Are you bonded and insured?
Yes. Of course any insurance claim must be verified to the satisfaction of the insurance company before a claim is settled.

I have lots of collectibles and nic-nacs--How should we handle that?
That is up to you. We don't go inside cabinets to dust routinely but items out in the open will be moved and dusted unless you specify otherwise. Obviously, homes with lots of things to dust take longer than those without, so it will inevitably be reflected in the price of cleaning your home. If you have a particular item or items that you especially cherish and would like to minimize the risk of that item being broken or damaged, we will be happy to note such things and leave them alone.  Unfortunately accidents do happen, but let's minimize the risk where you see fit.

Do you prefer to use your equipment and supplies or mine?
Our staff is most efficient and effective using the standard, authorized CottageCare equipment and supplies which they have been trained to use and use daily. If you have some product or piece of equipment you prefer them to use, we will do that only if you accept the risks involved with no training in their use.

Do you "do windows"?
The routine we offer is inside and out of the front storm door, the back patio door and inside of the window over the kitchen sink, all weather permitting. Beyond that, you are better off calling a professional window washing company to "do windows".

Do you do laundry or ironing or errands?
We typically discourage you from hiring us to do these things, because you can likely hire specialists who can do the work for less money.  In the rare scenario where we would do any of the above, we would charge an hourly rate.  In addition, you would have to assume the risks for any damage caused from doing these things, due to the fact that our staff are not trained or insured to do such tasks. We have found that customers of CottageCare are so liberated by receiving good, thorough, general cleaning on a weekly (or other) basis, that they find they have time to do these things themselves.

Is there a better day of the week to be cleaned?
The old inclination of "getting it cleaned for the weekend" is now counter-balanced by "It stays cleaner, longer, if I get it done on Monday or Tuesday". So, you decide. Then ask for your preference and we will work with you as much as our schedule and your geography allows us.

Why the name CottageCare?
"Cottage" was chosen to infer you don't have to own a castle to afford quality housecleaning. "Care" was intentional--we care about doing our best for you. An additional incentive was to stay away from "maid this" or "maid that"--we didn't feel our employees wanted to be maids, rather "professional housecleaners".