If you decide to hire someone to help you at home, whether that’s a cleaner, a nanny, a gardener, or a caregiver, it can feel like a significant step. You are taking the initiative to invite someone into your personal space, and while it may seem easier to rush the process when you’re desperate for help, taking the time to prepare properly saves you a lot of stress and money down the road.
We’ve compiled a list of cost-effective steps to take before hiring help at home.
- Do a background check the right way. It’s so tempting to rely on a gut feeling or a friendly smile, but if somebody’s going to be around your personal things, your family and your home, it’s worth doing things properly from day one. Depending on your country or your region, this might include checking for criminal records, verifying identity, and confirming previous employment. If you’re not sure what’s legally allowed or how deep you are willing to dig, it’s wise to have a quick chat with a background check lawyer. It may seem like an extra cost up front, but the Peace of Mind you get is priceless and it could save you from a very expensive mistake later.
- Be clear on what you actually need. It’s really easy to overhire if you’re not specific about your needs. Do you need somebody five days a week or would twice a week be enough? Do you need deep cleaning or just help with laundry and tidying? By listing out the exact tasks that you want done and how often you need them to be done, you’ll have a clear idea of what kind of help you need and that can save you a lot of money.
- Write yourself a simple job description. It may seem formal for a home job, but having a written description of tasks, hours, pay and expectations can really help to avoid misunderstandings. It also means that you can compare apples with apples when interviewing different people. The clearer the expectations, the less chance of time wasting or needing to redo tasks later on. It’s also very helpful if you ever need to hire again in the future, as you won’t have to start from scratch.
- Get some word-of-mouth reviews first. Asking around is always a good idea if you’re looking to hire somebody into your home. If you know your friends or family have a cleaner and you’re looking for a cleaner, get their reviews before you turn to expensive agencies or online ads. Asking neighbors, community groups and friends who you can trust, who they can trust, is great. Those word-of-mouth referrals can save you a lot of time and money and often lead to more reliable hires. People are also usually more accountable when they know they’re connected through someone you both know.
- Always do a trial period. No matter what you’re hiring somebody for. Don’t commit to a long-term arrangement straight away. Offer a trial run for a week or a few days. This gives you both a chance to see if the fit is correct without a big upfront commitment.
- Always check for references. No matter how many hours somebody is coming into your home for, they should have references that can back up what they say about themselves. You should always follow these up as well. Don’t just ask for them. Call or email. A quick chat with a previous employer can give you so much more than a carefully worded testimonial. Ask specific questions such as punctuality or supervision. Ask whether they would hire them again. Trust, reliability and initiative don’t always show up on a CV, but past employers will always know.
- Discuss pay clearly and fairly. Money conversations can feel awkward, but they’re essential. You should always be clear about the rate, how often you’ll pay, and whether it’s hourly or by the task. You should also figure out what counts as overtime. If you want flexibility or extra help, sometimes talk about how that could be handled. When you’re up front, you can avoid surprises, and you’ll also be able to prevent disputes later on. It’s also so much easier to budget properly when you know exactly what to expect every week.
- Know your legal obligations. Depending on where you live and how regularly the person works for you, you may have legal responsibilities such as paying tax or providing a pay slip. Don’t assume that home help is always off the books because in many places even part time staff can be classed as employees. It may sound like a hassle, but doing things legally from day one saves you a hefty fine later.
- Keep your records simple. You don’t need to have a filing cabinet, but jotting down hours worked, payments made, and any agreements or changes can help everyone stay on the same page. If you’re hiring someone into your home, it’s also important to have a contract involved. If disputes arise, you’ll have notes to refer back to.
- Always have a backup plan. What happens if your regular cleaner is sick or your nanny can’t make it on a key day? Having a Plan B in place, a backup contact, a flexible schedule, or even a list of local agencies means that you’re not going to be scrambling at the last minute and paying premium rates for urgent help. Planning ahead this way can help you to keep your stress levels and spending down when life gets chaotic.
Having help at home is a good way to ease your load, but it is still a business arrangement. With a little bit of preparation now, you will have fewer surprises later on. Take your time and stay organised, but also trust your instincts. The right help is out there, and with the right approach, hiring them doesn’t have to break the bank.