About Maid Brigade of Frederick County

Preparation for Cleaning Day

Do I have to pick up before the team arrives?

We realize that getting ready for “cleaning day” can be a stressful time.  It’s not our intention that you “clean” before we get to your home, but we do ask that general clutter, clothing, toys, etc. be picked up as much as possible as this preparation allows us to focus on cleaning.

The Cleaning

What can I expect of the cleaning routine in my home?

Everyone’s expectations of what they feel should be included in their cleaning varies from customer to customer.  It’s important that you communicate your expectations to our office staff so that we may keep your individual cleaning record up to date.

Initial/One-Time Service:

Includes the Regular Maintenance Service but allows more time for a deeper clean and any a la carte items.

Our Maintenance Cleaning*:

Bathrooms – includes the tub, shower, mirror, sinks, counter, toilets, floors, and all decorative items.

Kitchen – includes the outside of the appliances and cabinets, cleaning the stove top, inside and outside of the microwave, countertops and backsplash, scrub and polish the sink, empty the trash, and then we vacuum and mop the kitchen floor to finish the room.

Dusting and Vacuuming – The dusting system includes using an extension duster for items out of reach, cobwebs, ceiling fans, and baseboards. We hand dust items within reach along with furniture, windowsills, and door frames. Vacuuming includes under furniture as far as our tools will reach, upholstery with the upholstery tool, and bare floors with our floor tool. We use a power head to vacuum carpets and rugs.

* We do not allow our Team Members to lift and/or move anything over 25 pounds for their safety. 

* All items are customizable so the above are standards but we can add or remove to your liking.

The following are some of the additional, special services that can be scheduled in advance:

• Dishwashing by hand or loading the dishwasher
• Inside oven, fridge or freezer
• Interior window cleaning
• Garage sweep outs and/or de-cobweb
• Fireplace sweep outs (must be dormant for 72 hours)
• Wash patio furniture

What types of things are NOT included in the Regular Maintenance cleanings?

• We never go inside any cupboards, drawers, or closets unless instructed to do so (as opposed to Move In/Out Services).  We consider this your private area.
• Dusting of highly cluttered areas where we cannot see the surface underneath as this is more of a special service that takes time to sort through.
• Irreplaceable items or highly fragile items.
• Dishes can be included for an additional fee but are typically not included for most customers.
• Cleaning walls, ceilings, blinds and windows may also be included for an additional fee and are done as a special service.  We do include light switch plates and door frames with our regular cleanings.
• Occasionally, the condition of blinds, windows and screens may risk damage when being cleaned.  Although we are as careful as possible, we cannot be responsible for damage if they are already broken or worn with age and/or heavy use prior to our cleaning that item.

What if I want something cleaned that is not included in my Regular Maintenance Service?

If there are additional rooms or services such as those discussed above, just give us a call and we can discuss the additional fee, and if agreeable we would add it to your next scheduled service or scheduled a special day in between your regular maintenance cleanings.

Move In/Out Service:

The Move In/Out Cleaning is a deep clean including wiping out the inside of drawers and cabinets, and if requested, cleaning the inside of major appliances such as the refrigerator and oven/s. Blinds and windows, inside the appliances need to be specified if you would like those items cleaned. Select outside cleaning chores such as sweeping the garage, or an exterior patio or deck and the entryway can also be included.

Post-Construction Service:

The Post-Construction Cleaning is a deep clean that can also include wiping walls, if requested, along with any other a la carte items.  This does include special attention to drywall and construction dust and a thorough vacuuming; twice if needed.

Supplies and Equipment

Do I need to provide any cleaning supplies or equipment?

No. Maid Brigade comes to your home fully equipped and ready to go.

We use electrolyzed water cleaning solutions and disinfectants; we do not use caustic chemicals such as acids or alkalis.

Our PURE Cleaning System uses allergy-free and anti-bacterial color-coded microfiber cloths and mops which are non-abrasive and eliminate cross-contamination.

Our 4-level, HEPA-filtration vacuums are proven to remove up to 3x more allergens than non-HEPA machines and are proven to improve indoor air quality when used with our comprehensive cleaning service. They are also certified through the Carpet and Rug Institutes Green Label program.

Our Guarantee

What if an area cleaned was missed or I am not happy with a part of the cleaning? 

We are human after all so if you feel that any area or item that we cleaned is unsatisfactory, simply notify our office within 24 hours and we will return without 1 business day to reclean the area/s.

Employees

Are the people that clean my home professional, trained and insured?

Team members are employees of the company and are not Independent Contractors.  They meet strict hiring and training standards. They are insured and bonded and covered by comprehensive Worker’s Compensation insurance. They arrive in uniform and in a company car. Most importantly, we are proud to say that our average Team Member has been with us for over 7 years.

Pets

What if I have a pet?

Our teams are trained to be aware of pets when entering and exiting your home. Obviously, we do not want to upset your pet with the introduction of new people and different noises. It has been our experience that nervous or anxious pets are best kept away from the cleaning area and team members if possible.

Keys and Entry

Can I give you a key to my house or other instructions for entry?

Yes. That is the preferred method for entry to your home. Having a key to your home or lockbox access eliminates the requirement for you to be home. The majority of our customers take advantage of our key service. All customer keys are number coded and locked in our office nightly.  Alternatively, with new smart locks, we can gain access without your needing to be home and without the key responsibility. Either method works for us.

May I specify the time of the cleaning?

Because of the various frequency options that we offer our customers and our service area, our schedule changes day to day and week to week so we are unable to promise an exact arrival time. We generally can fulfill requests for A.M. or P.M.

How do I know what time the team will arrive?

We text all clients with a 2-hour window of arrival the day before their cleaning. No reply is necessary when receiving the text.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule a cleaning?

If a scheduling change is needed, simply call our office at least 2 business days prior to your scheduled cleaning date to avoid the late cancellation fee of $50.00.  Our office hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. If it is after hours, please text or email and we will get back to you the next business day.

What if I forget to cancel the cleaning and you cannot enter my home on the day of the cleaning?

Unfortunately, if we are not given adequate notice for cancelling a scheduled cleaning, or are unable to gain access to your home, the Lock Out fee of $50 will be charged.  Late cancellation and lockout fees are necessary because we consider a scheduled visit to be a reservation for your service.  We do not over-book our schedule because we believe every client deserves reliable, high quality service.  As a result, we require 2 business days’ notice to cancel a scheduled cleaning to avoid late cancellation fees.

Parking

What if I have parking restrictions?

If there are restrictions on parking, please inform us when setting up your cleaning as to where we are able to park. Any parking availability and fees are the customer’s responsibility.

Valuables and Restricted Areas

What if I have valuables in my home?

If you have special valuables, heirlooms, or irreplaceable items, please put them away or instruct us not to touch them. Also, a closed door is your signal to us that you do not want that area to be cleaned. If the door is closed for another reason (e.g. to restrict pet access), please contact our office so that we can update the client notes on the team paperwork to reflect your special instructions.

Cleaning Fees

How do I know the estimate is accurate?

Giving estimates over the phone or Internet is not an exact science. The estimate is only an average based on the information you provided about your home.  The actual size, condition, and specific tasks requested will determine the final cost. It may take more or less time than the estimate provided.  Initial or one-time move-in/move-out cleanings are only charged for the actual time spent in the home unless the minimum due applies.  Please know that if your cleaning must go over the estimated time, we will not go over without your prior approval.

If you are interested in our Regular Maintenance Cleanings, we do offer a free in-home quote which will give you exact prices based on your needs.