FAQ

We were incorporated by the state of Maryland and started operations in 1996.

We are not a franchise. Locally owned and operated, our office is right here in Frederick. Not being a franchise is important because it allows us to conduct our business in the way that we feel is most efficient and beneficial to our customers. For example, we started by sending out teams of 3 maids in company cars. We were imitating the success of some of the large franchises in the area. It wasn’t long before we realized that what may work well for them… was not working well for us. We made the decision to provide each customer with their own personal maid.

We believe that one maid assumes a stronger sense of accountability and responsibility for the quality of work performed in your home. Most of our customers have chosen us because they like the idea of know what to expect when they come home. And, that’s what you get, when you have the same maid each time. They also feel that having 1 person, as opposed to a team, is a more secure situation.

We invest a lot of effort in doing all that we can to send you the same maid. However, there will be times when your maid, or her kids, or her car, is sick. We can reschedule your service to a later date, or send another maid. Unless you have notified us otherwise, we will send out another maid, in order to avoid disrupting your schedule. Your work order should contain all the relevant information she needs to do a good job. If it’s her first time in your home, you can feel confident in the knowledge that she has already proven herself in several other homes and has a regular schedule of weekly and biweekly customers who are happy with her work.

Good question! Some companies hiring standards are not that high. We understand that having a cleaning company in your home requires a great deal of trust. For your protection, we perform extensive pre-employment screening and criminal background checks before any employee is ever allowed in your home. They are under close scrutiny during training. Later, they know that being there (by themselves in your home) puts them solely in the spotlight.

Yes! Whenever you’re seeking someone to work inside your home, make sure they are properly bonded for honesty and insured for liability. We always practice safe cleaning. But, it’s good to know you’re protected for loss and/or breakage that could occur while we are in your home. Also, it’s important that they are covered by workman’s compensation … unemployment security is being contributed … and that proper taxes and social security are being withheld. We handle all of these "trivial details" so you’re not held legally responsible.

You define that! Because your house cleaning needs are not the same as everyone else’s, we tailor your cleaning service to meet your specific requirements. Basically, we do a thorough job of dusting and vacuuming throughout your house. Attention is paid to baseboards, ceiling fixtures, cobwebs, sliding glass doors, windowsills, doorframes, etc. To keep your bill reasonable, we would normally rotate as many chores as possible. Kitchen and bathroom floors are always given special attention. The bathrooms and the kitchen sink and counter area must be sanitized, deodorized and disinfected. Essentially, we do all the things you would do if you had the time.

We do make beds and change linens, IF they are left out on the bed. However, many of our customers have told us that they would prefer that we use that time more efficiently, to focus more on the cleaning, since they make their own beds every day anyway.

Picture frames that are hung on the wall improperly can often be a breakage waiting to happen. If you want us to dust these, please let us know when setting up service. We will be as careful as possible; but we do not reimburse for broken picture frames.

Additional services include changing linens, watering plants, interior window washing, and interior cleaning of ovens and refrigerators. We do not clean outside furniture etc.

On your first cleaning you are strictly paying for TIME. There is normally a 3-hour minimum. If you want more than 3 hours, you must reserve the additional time at set-up. However, since the first time is not discounted, this is usually your most expensive clean. If you like your maid and want to continue service on a weekly or biweekly schedule, we would offer you a firm, fixed, flat, discounted price that is competitive with what other companies are charging in the area. Your neighbor may be paying substantially more or less for our service. That’s because each customer has their own unique requirements, demands, concerns, and standards.

We bring our own. Our vacuum cleaners are all equipped with HEPA filters, which is especially helpful to people with allergies. Our cleaning supplies are the same products you’ll find on the grocery store shelves. We don’t use any acid or toxic cleaning chemicals in your home. Should you prefer, we will be happy to use your vacuum or any of your cleaning supplies. Your paper towels will be used when polishing your glass and mirrors. We do not provide wood floor cleaner or wood furniture polish or cleaners. Why? There are many different types of wood, wood finishes, and customer preferences. Many of our customers prefer simply a water-moistened cloth or mop. If you prefer Pledge, Liquid Gold, Endust, etc., you would provide these products. For your hardwood floors, Bruce Hardwood floor cleaner by Armstrong is very good and extremely popular. Also, we recommend you keep a Swiffer mop on hand as a nice final touch on your hard-surfaced floors.

To insure your complete satisfaction on your first clean, we need you to be there. Even though your maid knows how to clean, and has several satisfied regular customers, she has never been in your home, or cleaned for you before. We suggest that you go along behind her, checking her work as she leaves each area. That way, you’ll be ready. Because, when she’s all finished, she will ask you to check everything thoroughly and then sign-off that you are happy. We want that in black and white! Seriously … this way, we know that we won’t have to send her back for something she overlooked or that you are not happy with!

On future cleans, you’re not required to be present; and, you’ll have a discounted, fixed, flat rate that is not based on time alone. Our success, not to mention our income, hinges on your complete satisfaction. We stand behind our name,. If you are not satisfied with our service, we will be happy to return within 24 hours and correct any problems at no additional charge or make an adjustment on your next clean.

No. We appreciate your patronage and will work hard to keep you as our customer for a long time. We know that you will be loyal to us as long as we continue to provide quality service.

You can pay by check, cash, Visa, or Master Card. For your initial (first time) service, we require your credit card number in order to secure your reserved time slot. If we arrive at your home and no one is there, we would charge your card $50. Also, if you continue service and normally pay by check and forget to leave it out, you can avoid a $10 invoicing fee by leaving your credit card number on file.

Tipping is allowed and appreciated, but not expected. We believe that a tip is a pat on the back, a special thank you for a job done well. Another way to express appreciation is to complete your maid’s report card in our "feedback" area.

Please give us at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel your regular cleaning. Otherwise, there is a $25 cancellation fee. Any appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged half the cleaning fee. If you didn’t cancel service and we arrive and cannot get in, you will be charged full price. This is easily avoided by providing us with a key or garage code.

We are always interested in talking to people who take pride in a job well done. Our ideal candidates have a relatively stable work history. They must have their own transportation, speak fluent English and be able to read maps and follow driving directions. We perform thorough pre-employment screening and criminal background checks. Our employees have to be animal lovers and good with people. To attract and retain the best people, we pay excellent wages and provide the excellent benefits, including paid vacations, retirement plan, dental coverage, and even provide cellular phones.

Best Maids services all of Frederick County, including Braddock Heights, Brunswick, Buckeystown, Emmitsburg, Middletown, Mount Airy, Myersville, New Market, Thurmont, Urbana, and Walkersville.

It cost a lot, in time and resources, to find, interview, check references and backgrounds, perform criminal background checks, and train an employee. They sign an agreement barring them from performing any home-related services for any of our past or present customers. However, if you do wish to employ a staff member, our referral fee is $1,500. We consider our employees our most valuable asset and charge accordingly.