Maid Services and Accidents - How to Deal with Damage or Theft

Maid services, although often not required by law, should be bonded and insured against theft and damage to property. Accidents happen, and a well-meaning employee may accidentally knock over a fragile object, inadvertently use the wrong chemical on a material causing damage, or (worst case scenario) is guilty of theft. A company shouldn’t question a claim made against them when the complaints are valid and backed up by sufficient evidence. Before hiring any cleaners, it is necessary to first protect yourself.

For highly valuable objects, it is probably better to ask them to be left untouched, or even keep them locked away during cleaning. That doesn’t necessarily mean investing in a safe, but placing fragile collectibles in a lockable cabinet is advisable. Keeping a list of items of value as well as updated pictures of their current condition is also useful in case it is necessary to make a claim to an insurance company. If keeping certain items safe is of the utmost importance, consider in-home surveillance as a further precaution against theft from maid services or other outsiders.

Accidental damage of items or materials within the house is another potential problem. When choosing a professional maid services company, ask about the equipment and chemicals used. A bottle of bleach and vacuum cleaner is not sufficient enough for the job. They should be capable of cleaning and maintaining a variety of different materials including wood, marble, carpet, fabrics, and concrete. Ask about specific methods for dealing with certain types of stains such as chocolate, red wine, or blood. These all require different chemical compounds and cleaning techniques in order for successful removal.

When making a complaint about maid services, it is important to direct it to the proper person. If the issue is with a particular employee’s low quality of work, poor attention to detail, or inability to follow instructions, the matter should be brought up with the individual before any managers are involved. It may be a simple misunderstanding that can easily be resolved without outside intervention. If no improvements are made, then seek the manager of a business chain, or the owner if it is a small operation. For more serious complaints such as property damage and theft, it is best to go directly to the source of authority.

For complaints to be taken seriously, there needs to be clear documentation and facts available surrounding the incident. If there was a theft, for example, explain when the last time the object was in your possession and exactly when you discovered it was missing. Keep track of when and how employees enter the household. When speaking with a manager, write down times, what was said and any relevant names. Follow up a complaint with a formal letter and keep a copy on hand. If you meet with resistance to rectify the problem, consider contacting the Better Business Bureau. As a last resort, you may decide it is worth your time to pursue legal action.