People should be cleaning their basements about once a week, but it’s safe to say that most people don’t.
Of all the areas in your home, the basement might be the most neglected. It’s easy to leave it for a long time without giving it a proper clean, so things can get a bit messy. Cleaning it yourself isn’t always ideal, so you could hire a professional basement cleaning service.
If you choose to do this, you want to make sure you hire a company that will get the job done properly. In this guide, we’ll go over some things you can do to make it easier to choose the right basement cleaning service in Chicago for your needs. Keep reading for more.
Get Referrals From Family and Friends
If you’re looking for a basement cleaning company, one of the first things you can do is ask people you know for recommendations. Your friends and family may have worked with such companies in the past and might be able to suggest good companies to contact.
They may also have had bad past experiences and can steer you away from less reliable companies.
Read Reviews, but Don’t Rely on Them
Reviews and testimonials are another great way to get an idea of what you can expect from a company. You can usually find these on a company website or Google.
A company with a lot of positive reviews is likely to be one you can trust. Conversely, if you see a company that has a lot of bad reviews, you should probably avoid it. Bear in mind that some reviews may not be completely reliable, so take them with a pinch of salt.
Make Sure They’re Insured
Basement cleaning can be a small job, or it can be quite a big job, depending on the current state of your basement. If a lot of work needs to be done, there could be a risk of damage to your home. While this is unlikely, you want to ensure the company you go with is properly covered, just in case.
If a company isn’t insured, you might be on the hook if any damage is caused, anyone is injured, or any items go missing. You should be able to request copies of policies from any company, and if a company won’t supply you with these, consider it a red flag. A company that isn’t insured might be cheaper, but it’s never worth the risk.
Find One With Experience
As with most jobs, when someone has been doing it a long time, they’ll typically be better at it. A basement cleaning company with extensive experience will usually provide better results than one that’s relatively new.
You should also check for things like awards, accreditations, and affiliations. While these aren’t essential, they are a good sign, as a company will only receive these through consistently delivering quality work.
Bear in mind that your basement flood cleanup cost in Chicago is likely to be higher with a well-established company. While this may seem concerning, the peace of mind of knowing the job will be done correctly is well worth the investment.
Check the Services They Offer
The current state of your basement will determine exactly what services you need. If there has been moisture present in your basement for some time, for example, you’ll probably need mold removal. If a bad storm has passed through, you might need flood cleanup.
Determine exactly what you require first, then look for a company that does everything you need. You may also want to look for a company that offers other services outside of the basement if you need more work done on your home. Booking everything through one company can be the most cost-effective solution.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
When discussing the work with a company, ask about damage, breakage, and satisfaction guarantees. The last thing you want is for them to finish the work, then have an issue return shortly after.
Companies that stand behind their work will offer such guarantees. This typically means they’ll return and amend things if you don’t get the results you were expecting. These policies vary between different companies, so it’s something to enquire about early on.
Employees vs Contract Workers
Another thing to check is who will be doing the work. Many companies will have their own employees, but some will hire contract workers. In theory, this shouldn’t make a difference, but it often does.
Contract workers don’t have the same benefits as employees. As a result, they’re generally less invested in the work they do.
Employees, on the other hand, will want to ensure their company looks good. This means they’ll usually put in more effort and will work to avoid any mistakes.
Having contract workers taking on the project doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll do a bad job. If you’re deciding between the two options, however, you’ll probably want to go with a company that has its own employees.
Check Their Cleaning Supplies
Most reputable cleaning companies will have their own supplies, though some will expect you to provide them. It’s more ideal if they bring their own, as it will save you money. Companies that have their own supplies also tend to use high-end or commercial-grade products, which will help them produce better results.