Should You Hire a Professional Cleaning Service Before Selling Your House?

Should you have a house cleaning company clean your house before putting it up for sale?

Most real estate agents agree that it’s a very good idea to have a professional house cleaning company come in and clean your house before putting it up for sale. A clean and well-maintained home can attract more potential buyers, as it will make a better first impression. Professional cleaning also helps to remove any odours (that may or may not be apparent to you), stains and dust that could turn off buyers.

When prepping your house for sale, it’s imperative to make sure it looks as appealing and attractive as possible. A thorough cleaning achieves this by making your house look bright, fresh and most definitely welcoming, and therefore stands out from others on the market, perhaps creating multiple offers and inherently the possibility of increasing its value.

If you’re still unsure about whether to hire a professional house cleaning company, consulting with your real estate agent or a professional stager – those who do this every day, all day have the best idea of where the best effort/mileage for your dollars will go.

How much more money does a clean house sell for over a dirty house?

There are no exact amounts or formulas, however, there is evidence to suggest that a clean and well-maintained house can increase its value and attract more potential buyers, according to some recent studies.

A survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors in the United States, states:

• 39% of agents said that home staging and cleaning can increase the selling price of a house by up to 10%
• 22% of agents said that staging a home shortened the time the home spent on the market
• 83% of buyers’ agents reported that staging a house made it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home

While these statistics do not provide an exact average increase in selling price, they do suggest that a clean and well-staged house can have a very significant impact on the value and especially the saleability of a property.

What does a cleaning service do extra with house selling cleaning over a regular house cleaning session?

A professional cleaning service offers more specialized and detailed cleaning services when preparing a house for sale in order to make it look its best and appeal to potential buyers.

• Deep cleaning: A deep cleaning is a more thorough and detailed cleaning than a regular cleaning. A cleaning service may focus on hard-to-reach areas such as baseboards, window sills, tops of door frames and ceiling fans. They may also clean inside appliances and cabinets, and wipe down all surfaces to remove any grime or buildup. Appliance cleaning, can be requested as well, such as oven(s).

• Carpet and upholstery cleaning: A cleaning service may offer carpet and upholstery cleaning as an additional service to help remove stains, odours, and dirt. This can help to freshen up the home and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

• Window cleaning: A cleaning service may also offer interior window cleaning to help remove any dirt, smudges, or streaks from the windows. This can help to make the home look brighter and more inviting. (Exterior window cleaning is generally provided by a different company). If you have vaulted ceilings – be sure to let your cleaning company know prior, such that they can have ladders and the right personnel ready.

• Deodorizing: A cleaning service may use special deodorizing techniques or products to remove any unpleasant smells from the home. This can be particularly important if the home has pets or if there are any strong cooking or smoking odours. Also, we often don’t realize that our pets or homes have an odour we have gotten used to, thus another great reason to have a company come it.

What else is important to know about a house cleaning service prior to selling my home?

Here are some important things to consider when hiring a house cleaning service prior to selling your home:

• • Customizable services: Make sure the cleaning service offers customizable services so that you can tailor the cleaning to your specific needs. This may include extra services such as deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, or window cleaning.

• • Insurance and bonding: Make sure the cleaning service has liability insurance and bonding to protect against any accidents or damage that may occur during the cleaning process.

• • Schedule flexibility: You may need to be flexible with scheduling as potential buyers may want to see the house on short notice. Find a cleaning service that is able to work with your schedule and can accommodate last-minute cleaning requests.

• • Reputation: Do your research and read reviews to find a reputable cleaning service with a good track record. Look for a company that has experience with house selling cleaning and can provide references if requested.

• • Communication: Ensure the cleaning service has clear communication channels so you can discuss any specific requests or concerns. Make sure they are responsive and able to provide updates or address any issues that may arise during the cleaning process.

• • Pricing: Get a detailed quote for the cleaning service, including any additional services such as vaulted ceiling window cleaning, appliance cleaning etc, so you have a clear idea of the total cost.

Bonus question: What’s the dirtiest surface in the house?

A study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found that the average kitchen sponge contained 10 million bacteria per square inch, making it one of the dirtiest items in the home. Other studies have found that dishcloths can harbor a large number of bacteria and may be a source of cross-contamination in the kitchen.

By considering the factors above, when hiring a house cleaning service before selling your house, you can feel confident that your home is presented in the best possible condition to potential buyers, and potentially increase the value and appeal of the property.