804-644-6243

Why should I choose Maid Meisters over a competitor?

Many of our clients have come to us by referral; however, if you’ve looked us up out of the blue, then consider this when deciding whether to bring us on board…. We’re not some fly-by-night individual or setup that’s looking to make a quick buck. We’ve got our eye on the long haul. We’ve been around since 1999 and have grown because of our embrace of three main tenets: Dependability, Detail & Trustworthiness.

Do you clean homes just once, or do I have to be a regular customer?

Although most of our clients receive service from us on a recurring basis, i.e. every one, two or four weeks; we do provide service to clients on a one-time or seasonal basis (such as for move-in/out cleanings and Spring/Fall Cleaings).

Do I have to be home?

Nope, you don’t need to be home. Most of our clients actually work during the day, so by the time they return from a long day at the office/shop, we’ve already come & gone. They can kick their feet up, and relax at the thought of not having to empty the trash, clean the bathroom, clean up the kitchen, dust the baseboards, etc…

What about my pet?

Though most of our workers love animals, some are actually afraid of dogs, large or small. If you’re unsure as to whether they need to be crated, please give us a call and we’ll let you know what we advise after consulting with your regularly assigned crew. For sanitary and safety reasons our crew is not required to clean up animal vomit or excrement.

Do you work nights & weekends?

We only work nights & weekends when we have a worker(s) available and interested in earning extra money. And even then, nights & weekends are billed at time and a half normal rates.

Should I do anything to prepare for cleaning service?

It is always appreciated when our clients spend a few moments the night before picking up and organizing so that we can get in & out as quickly as possible without having to be diverted or distracted with "stuff" everywhere.

What time will you arrive?

We can never provide an exact arrival time due to traffic conditions and to not knowing what we may encounter at the previous account. We can, however, do our best to arrive within a window of about three hours of your preferred arrival time.

What do you do about getting in and about security?

Most clients provide us with a key. All keys tags are numerically coded and secured in a locked key box when not in use. As for allowing others entrance, crew members are under standing orders not to allow any unauthorized individuals access into a home without the consent or prior approval of the homeowner. All self professed "friends, neighbors, nannies or handymen" wishing to gain entrance will need to produce their own working copy of the homeowner’s house key.

Can I get a ballpark estimate over the phone?

Sure you can. You can also submit a request for estimate online. Whichever way is easier for you, we look forward to hearing from you. 804-644-MAID(6243) Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm. Please be Advised!!! One-Time Cleaning Estimates provided over the phone are just that – ESTIMATES. Estimates are not to be construed as ACTUAL PRICE in the event you request a reservation for service. Irrespective of what your One-Time Cleaning service ESTIMATE might be, your ACTUAL PRICE will be calculated only after the job has been completed and the total number of man-hours required to complete the job has been tallied.

Do I have to sign a contract?

Though we do not require a contract, locking you in to a six or twelve month commitment, we will ask for your autograph as an indication of having read and being in agreement with the pricing established for your individual account and with our Terms of Service, available on the reverse side of the estimate you’re provided once we’ve completed a walk through of your home.

What is the cancellation policy?

Although we do not require a contractual obligation to cancel services altogether, we would prefer the courtesy of at least a thirty(30) day notice. If you need to simply SKIP or reschedule a specific cleaning, as opposed to cancelling service, we'll need you to review our Terms of Service for more information.

When do I pay?

Payment is due at the time of service. All One-Time, Seasonal or Initial Cleanings are will be pre-authorized and charged a credit card of your choice (VISA, MasterCard or Discover). Should you opt to receive services on a recurring basis, your credit card information will be used as either the primary method of payment or as a backup in the event cash/check is not found upon the cleaning crew’s arrival.

Do I pay taxes on maid service?

You do not have worry about paying any taxes… your price is all-inclusive. By hiring Maid Meisters, you get rid of the hassle in having to worry about the potential headaches that come with hiring someone who’s unlicensed and most likely flying below the IRS’s radar. In the event you do choose to make use of an unlicensed service provider, it could come back to bite you in the leg as the IRS now requires individuals utilizing the services of unlicensed home service workers to register or face fines and penalties if discovered.

Should I tip the maids?

It’s always nice to be praised for a job well done. Though our crew members do not expect a tip, tipping is seen as a sign of your appreciation and an acknowledgement of their hard work. The typical percentage for a tip is much the same as it is for a waitress.

Can I hire your maids directly?

As noted within our Terms of Service, Maid Meisters requires clients to refrain from attempts at soliciting our staff to work for them directly... In fact, all Maid Meisters employees sign a non-complete agreement upon being hired barring them from performing any services, either directly or indirectly, for any of our past, present or prospective clients both during their employment and for a period of one full year following their departure or dismissal. Should a client approach the Management of Maid Meisters directly and wish to retain us as a Domestic Placement Agency, we will gladly assist a homeowner in the recruitment, vetting and training of a qualified house-keeper for a nominal fee of $2500USD.

What if my routine cleaning falls on a holiday?

Maid Meisters is closed on the following holidays — New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas. In the event your cleaning falls on any of the holidays just listed, we will make every effort to ensure that your cleaning is completed either prior to or immediately following all holidays.

Do you do dishes, laundry or ironing?

At this time, we do not offer these services.

Do you steam clean carpets and furniture?

Our specialty is house cleaning. We leave the steam cleaning of furniture and carpets to the professionals. Our recommendation is typically www.stanleysteamer.com.

Do you wash windows?

Yes & No. We can clean the inside of your windows no problem… but the outside?… only if your windows are the newer type which unlatch from the vertical tracks and fold into the room. Window Cleaning pricing will vary depending on the type of windows needing to be cleaned. Call for details.

Do you clean lighting fixtures?

Our cleaning of light fixtures is limited to using a feather duster on them. We advise the homeowner take them down very carefully, run them through the gentle cycle of their dishwasher and then place back up. Once they’ve been properly cleaned, we’ll set about maintaining them. (Main reason we do not mess with light fixtures is due to the fact that it’s nearly impossible to find the exact match to the set should one or more elements accidentally break.)

What should I do if there is a problem with my cleaning?

That’s a very good question and fortunately we have a very good answer… it’s called a 24hr Service Commitment. If you are not happy with any part of the cleaning you’ve received, we encourage you to contact us within 24hrs of our visit. If necessary, we will return the next business day to re-clean that which was overlooked or cleaned improperly – at no expense to you.

What if something gets broken?

Unfortunately accidents do happen. Whenever something gets broken workers are under orders to place the item on your table with a note apologizing for the mishap. They will also inform the office of the accident at which point we will contact you asap to discuss the incident. We will cover up to $100 for the cost to replace or repair an item when value is verifiable. More expensive objects with a value in excess of $500 are covered under insurance. When placing a claim, coverage is provided on current value, not retail purchase price.

What does Licensed and Bonded mean?

When we make the claim "licensed & bonded," that simply means that we’ve gone through the red tape of setting ourselves up with the business licensing normally required at all levels… local, state & federal. Being registered with the County of Henrico, the State Corporation Commission and the IRS means that you’re dealing with a company that pays all its required fees and taxes to remain legitimate in the eyes of the government and the public.

What if the maid gets hurt while in my home?

In almost twelve years of operation, Maid Meisters has never had an accident or incident in which a worker was injured or hurt while in a client’s home. (Knock on wood)… Irrespective of our track record however, we still carry Workman’s Compensation on our crew members. You can rest easy knowing that your Homeowner’s insurance policy will not take a hit like it might were you to hire someone off the street (or Craigslist) who’s neither licensed nor insured.

Do I need to provide any supplies?

Maid Meisters provides all the chemicals, supplies and equipment to accomplish the task at hand. We do however defer to the homeowner. In the event you need us to use your own special products, please let us know. We’ll add that information to your client profile so that all workers will be aware of your preferences. In the event that you request we use your own vacuum, we can not bear responsibility for any potential damages or repairs in it’s use.

What cleaning products are used in my home?

Maid Meisters takes a "balanced" approach to the incorporation and use of "green" and traditional cleaning products knowing that not all "green cleaning" products work as well as their traditional counterparts. The products listed below represent the best of both traditional and "all natural" cleaners.

• Citrus Based Comet Bathroom Cleaner (Liquid Spray) or Scrubbing Bubbles.
• Mr. Clean (neutral Ph balanced), Mrs. Meyers (all natural) and/or Vinegar & Water for General Cleaning of Cabinets & Countertops, Glass, Dusting and Floors.
• BarKeepers Powder for Sinks, Commodes and Tubs/Showers when needed.
• Oven Cleaner for glass stovetops, drippans, grills & the inside of ovens (when requested).
• Stainless Steel Polish for brushed metal appliances and fixtures.
• Magic Erasures for spot cleaning.
• White Cotton & Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
• WE DO NOT PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING BUT WILL USE IF YOU INSTRUCT & MAKE PROVISION FOR:
  • Carpet Powder or Fabreeze: We typically do not use Fabreeze, Air Fresheners or Carpet Powders due to the varied sensitivity level of individual clients and their pets. Additionally, carpet power has the potential to get through vacuum bags & filters and eventually clog and burn up our vacuum motors.
  • Furniture Polishes:We DO NOT make use of any wood furniture polishes as the various products on the market react differently to the various different types of furniture finishes. Instead of polishes, we make use of microfiber cloths, spritz’d with a bit of vinegar and water when needed. You’d be amazed at how well they work
  • Bleach: Clients who are okay with us using bleach will need to sign a release of liability if they'd like for us to make use of it in the battle against mold, mildew and coffee/wine stains.

 

Do you use HEPA filters on your vacuum cleaners?

We currently make use of the Hoover Bagged Windtunnel upright vacuum and the Hoover PortaPower shoulder vacuum, both of which employ HEPA filtrated vacuum bags backed up by two additional filters, one at the entrance to the motor well and a second at the exhaust. Vacuums are emptied upon completion of each cleaning to ensure as little cross contamination of dust and dander as possible from one house to the next.

Tell me about your maids… how are they hired?

All personnel, prior to being allowed into someone’s home, undergo a proper screening, reference check, drug test and NATIONWIDE criminal background investigation. Ongoing random drug tests are also a requirement agreed to by anyone seeking employment with Maid Meisters. As for training, Crew Members endure two weeks of initial (as well as ongoing) training and oversight to ensure that company cleaning standards are maintained on a consistent basis.

How many people will clean my home?

Our Crews vary in size from one to three cleaners depending on the size of the job and the preferences of the client. Some clients are only comfortable with one person coming in to clean while others prefer the team approach. As our business grows, our crews will begin to default more and more toward the 2-person approach.

Will the same team clean my house every time?

Although our goal is to maintain the same crew member(s) on your account for the long term, we cannot guarantee it. Illness, vacation, departures or dismissals may necessitate a change in personnel from time to time. Your understanding and patience is greatly appreciated during the temporary replacement or transition from one worker or crew to the next.

Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau or other Professional Associations?

Why YES we are! We’re currently a member of the Richmond, Virginia chapter of the Better Business Bureau, as well as The Association of Residential Cleaning Services International.