Hellobee Boards

We found someone we knew/my mom knew. Our friends looked for people who were bonded/insured.

We use a service, but have used individuals in the past. Your best bet is to just try someone and see what you think of their work. I would make a list of what you want done and give it to them. I would go with whoever you feel comfortable with and whoever has good references. You can always try someone new next, you don't have to stick with the first person you try.

@spaniellove: Yikes! We've had a few people clean for us and I've never had a response even close to that! Do you have a local forum where you could ask for recommendations? I found our lady through my local moms group.

Recommendation from a friend is how we found ours. Do you have Angie's list in your area? I've heard good things about that service. Could you or DH ask around at work? Having a personal recommendation always seems best.

we used a bonded/insured company. they were the cheapest, too. I am not comfortable with a single person in my home...i feel better if it's a company that does background checks on their employees.

@spaniellove: What about a mother's helper or something like that? I'm not sure what you are asking for but I assume most cleaning companies do a set series of tasks (bathrooms, dust,m counters, floors, vacuum, mop) and if you don't need all of that maybe you could find someone else who isn't necessarily a house cleaner?

I always try and find someone by referral, either yelp or someone I know