TwoMaids Blog

Customer Feedback

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +0000

Unsolicited customer feedback - right at your fingertips.

Check out these customer testimonials for our Fort Walton Beach office.

Check out these customer testimonials for our Pensacola office.

And check out these customer testimonials for our Panama City office.

Nineteen extremely positive testimonials for Two Maids & A Mop!!!!

Are You Crash Proof?

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Peoria, IL -- An apartment building is a mess after the building's cleaning lady drove her SUV through a brick wall. Maricella Cuevas says she accidentally hit the gas when pulling into a parking space next to the apartments.

Now, there's a car-sized hole in one of the apartment's walls. Cuevas says she regularly cleans some rooms in the building. The car crash knocked a stereo cabinet onto the legs of a woman sleeping inside the building. She was taken to a hospital, but the injury is believed to be minor. The cleaning lady who ran into the building was startled by the crash, but was not hurt.

Of course, this article is funny since no one was seriously hurt. The apartment building may need some renovation - but other than that - it's just a funny side story.

But what would have happened if the cleaning lady was hired by you to clean your house? And what if your cleaning lady was just a cleaning lady - not a cleaning business? This is what would happen.....

1. You would be forced to pay for all damages.
2. You would be forced to pay for all injuries.
3. You would be forced to pay for all lost income as a result of the injuries.

And in the end, you would even be forced to hire someone else to clean your home!!!

If you're bound and determined to save those few bucks by hiring a cleaning lady, then you should know that you are assuming the same liability as a professional cleaning business.

You're an employer - not a customer.

How To Clean Your Dishwasher

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

And if you're frugal (like me), here's an even cheaper method to clean your dishwasher.

Ten Creative Ways To Clean Ten Weird Places

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:44:00 +0000

Chances are you own a shop vacuum, and maybe a pressure washer. These tools — plus a few more — will help you get started getting rid of the dirt on your house’s siding, shop floor, basement corners and fences and decks. Here is the ultimate guide to putting grime in its place.

Ten Creative Cleaning Tips

Theft By Individual Maid

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:31:00 +0000

A person recently wondered why we post so many articles about maids stealing from customers. The person thought that such negative talk could lead to a negative impression of our own business. The answer should be simple.

The constant posting of articles detailing thefts by individual maids should serve as a constant reminder that cheap sells. Individual maids are cheap. That's their thing. An out-of-work maid knows that the easiest way to make some quick money is to simply offer ridiculous low rates and the customers start rolling in.

It happens time after time. And all sorts of problems arise soon after the hire. Some people are lucky. Some people just hire real bad cleaners. Some people just hire unprofessional cleaners. And some people aren't lucky at all. Some people hire individual maids that steal.

A quick Google search of news articles across this country reveals countless numbers of articles that proves my point. You are risking everything by hiring an individual maid.

There are several reasons to hire a professional housecleaning company. One reason is because our customer service is 100% better than someone that is just cleaning "on the side". Another reason is because you become a customer rather than an employer. But one very important reason should be obvious. The safety and security of your family is at risk when you an individual maid. I'm serious. It happens everyday. Don't let it happen to you.

Are You A Customer Or An Employer?

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:47:00 +0000

Kobe Bryant was recently sued by his ex-housekeeper. The California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board ruled that Bryant and his wife must pay $326 a week in unemployment benefits to their former housekeeper. The ruling affirms a decision by an administrative law judge who found that the maid testified credibly that she was forced to quit because she was "demeaned and humiliated" by her employer.

While that story is interesting, the most important item to take away from the verdict is the word "employer". Kobe employed his housekeeper. And as a result, he was forced to act like an employer. In other words, he had to follow all sorts of laws and regulations that he was surely unaware of because...........he's an NBA basketball player. Not the owner of a maid service.

Of course, the state of California says that Kobe was the owner of a maid service. So the question to you is.... Are you the owner of a maid service? There's one simple way to determine if you are the owner of a maid service.

Every single legal business entity is required to register for a Tax ID number with the federal government. This number tracks a business and forces a business to follow certain laws and regulations. Most importantly, this number gets you off the hook as a maid service customer.

To determine if your are a customer or an employer, click here. Now, the search isn't free. But it's important - just ask Kobe Bryant if he thinks it's important. Conduct the search now because tomorrow could be too late.

Individual Maid Steals From Niceville Homeowners

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:54:00 +0000

There's been countless numbers of articles detailing thefts by individual maids. Often, those thefts occur in places such Ohio, Texas, California, or Georgia. In other words, a long way from northwest Florida.

NICEVILLE, FL -- A joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and Niceville Police Department has led to the arrest of a Valparaiso woman on multiple counts of grand theft.

Thirty-year-old Jennifer Michelle Denney is charged by the OCSO with six counts of grand theft and six counts of dealing in stolen property. The Niceville Police Department has also charged Denney with one count of grand theft.

Investigators says Denney stole more than $30,000 in jewelry from various homes in Niceville and the Bluewater Bay area while working as a housecleaner.

The Reverse Lottery Ticket

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Hiring an individual maid is like playing the lottery in reverse. At best, you'll hire a cheap, quality driven cleaning professional. At worst, you'll hire a cheap thief.

It never ceases to amaze me how easy it is for these crooks to steal your money. You would never let a stranger enter your at home at 9PM just because she knocked on your door. But that caution goes out the window if that same stranger offers you a low rate for housecleaning.

Hiring a professional cleaning company costs you more money in the short term. But hiring an individual maid can certainly cost you more in the long term. Here's a couple that nearly lost more than $100,000 simply because they hired a stranger to clean their home.

Housekeeper Steals $107,000 Worth of Jewelry

The stranger may have a newspaper advertisement. The stranger may look decent. The stranger may even have references. But what do you really know about that stranger???

Has she been convicted of a crime in the past? How long has she been in business? Is she bonded and insured up to at least $300,000? Does she carry workers' compensation up to at least $1 million dollars? How can she guarantee your satisfaction each and every time? How can she guarantee her arrival time each time? And how can she guarantee you that she will be in business this time next year?

Those are the first questions you should ask every single prospective maid. But here's the first and only question most people ask.....

What are your rates?

The Simplest Way To Explain The Decision of Hiring A Maid

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:48:00 +0000

If you hire an individual to clean your home - YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER

If you hire a professional cleaning company to clean your home - YOU ARE A CUSTOMER

Which do you want to be?

Don't Tell Your Maid To "Break A Leg" While Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:58:00 +0000

Three quick questions:

1. What happens if your maid falls and breaks her leg while inside your home? Since you're the employer, it's your responsibility to cover all medical expenses. In addition, you may be responsible for lost wages as a result of the injury.

2. What happens if your maid gets bit by your dog while in your home? Ditto the first answer.

3. What happens if your maid lies and fakes an injury while in your home? Then it's up the court system to decide the verdict. If you win, then you've still lost plenty of valuable time. If you lose, you may lose much more than just time.

One final question:
4. What happens if all three of these things happen and you've hired Two Maids & A Mop as your maid service? Nothing happens. You have no liability at all because part of your payment to Two Maids & A Mop acts like an insurance premium. You're not responsible for any injury at all. All you need to care about is the quality of the cleaning. Forget all the legal stuff when you hire us.

Just Hire The Best People

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:52:00 +0000

We claim to be the best cleaning company in each of three cities we serve. Two recent surveys have proven that many, many people know that we are the best cleaning service in town. But just how do we create the best cleaning service in town? It's really simple and it all boils to just one central idea.

Only hire the best people.

Of course, you've got to give people a reason to want to work for you. Our Pay For Performance Plan gives our employees a chance to earn the highest wages in the local cleaning industry. Money talks and our employees know that they can earn above average pay if they make you happy. That by itself is sometimes all it takes. But we do much more than just pay above average wages.

In the cleaning industry, most businesses pay on a commission basis. That means that you get paid based on the quantity of cleanings in one day. Notice I said quantity - not quality. The quicker you clean - the more money you make. The longer your day - the more money you make. Our employees get paid an hourly rate from the time they walk into our office to the time they walk back into our office. In many cases, our employees only clean two homes in one day. The absolute maximum number of homes cleaned in one day is just three. Many prospective employees have told us horror stories of cleaning six, seven - sometimes eight homes in one single day. They call it speed cleaning. We call it commission cleaning.

Like I said earlier, money talks. Using the commission scale, an employee wants to clean as many homes as possible simply because more money can be earned. But here's the kicker, employees at Two Maids & A Mop still earn (on average) earn more money than our local cleaning company competitors. We've heard time after time from previous employees of those companies.

So you not only work less - but you also get paid more money. That's an obvious win-win situation. And that's a win-win for our customers too. Our customers know that our employees get paid based on their satisfaction. But our customers can also be comforted knowing that their maids won't be exhausted by the time they enter their home.

That's our formula. Just hire the best people. It's worked for a long time now. And something tells me that it'll keep working.

The Typical $1000 Cleaning Business News Article

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:39:00 +0000

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- With the nation's economy in disarray, people around the country are searching for ways to supplement and earn additional income.

While many may consider starting a home based business an interesting solution, the thought of sinking tens of thousands of dollars into a start-up is scary.

But some people have found a less expensive solution. When Lawrence Yancy retired as a food inspector he decided to start his own business, and he did for less than $1,000. "It cost me $529," said Yancy.

These are some other potential businesses that cost $1,000 or less:

E-Commerce Consultant: Use your computer smarts to help others grow their online businesses.

Theft Prevention: Many people don't know how vulnerable they are. If you have police or a security background you can teach other business owners how to prevent thefts.

Residential Cleaning: Secure a number of clients, whether for homes or apartments and go to work. On average a cleaning company will charge $15-to-$25 an hour.

And there you have it. Just like I've been telling you for years now. Starting a housecleaning company takes little money. It takes little initiative. It takes little education. And it takes little courage. After all, it's only a few hundred bucks down the drain if your new company goes belly up.

Of course, a real professional cleaning company costs much more than $1,000 to start.

A real cleaning company has to provide its customers maximum protection such as general liability insurance, workers' compensation and bonding. Maximum protection will cost a real cleaning company at least $5,000 annually.

A real cleaning company also provides cleaning supplies and equipment. Professional cleaning supplies cost about $500 for each cleaning crew.

A real cleaning company also has to follow the law. Following the law means paying payroll taxes, paying local licensing fees and paying federal income taxes. The amount of this cost is based on two things; 1) How busy you are - and 2) How honest you are. A conservative estimate is for all three taxes to cost a cleaning company somewhere between $5,000 - $15,000 annually.
The costs continue to build as the legitimacy of your business increases. But that's not the point of this story anyway. The point is this:

If you started a housecleaning business and it costs you less than $1,000, what will you do when:

1. One of your employees steals from one of your customers?
2. One of your employees breaks a customer's expensive vase?
3. One of your employees breaks her ankle while cleaning your stairway?
4. Your customer base suddenly drops off?
5. Your husband gets a new job in another town?
6. You get the flu?
7. You find a stable job?

The answer should be obvious. You'll quit. You'll quit for the very same reason you started. Because starting a housecleaning business takes little money. Little initiative. Little education. And little courage.

Cleaning For A Reason - How It Works

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:29:00 +0000

The Virgin Housecleaning Customer

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:33:00 +0000

There's a story like this everyday in at least one newspaper in this country. The story goes a little something like this. A couple hires a housecleaner. The couple hires the housecleaner primarily because her rates are sooo good. The housecleaner starts out pretty good. The couple laughs at their neighbors who hire the more expensive professional housecleaning company. The housecleaner gets comfortable and one of three things occurs:

1. She starts slacking off. And in some cases, she just starts showing up whenever she wants to show up. And quite often, she's just stops for no apparent reason at all.

2. She steals money from you.

3. She gets injured while in your home.

If you're lucky, your housecleaner will just stop showing up. Because your individual housecleaner isn't going to return the stolen money or goods. And if you're just plain unlucky, then your housecleaner will sue you for thousands simply because she can. After all, you're the employer and she's the employee.

Of course, none of this will happen to you.

That's exactly what one of my good friends said about three months ago. We're buddies and he wanted to hire my company because - well - we're buddies. But my rate was about $50 more than the two Columbian ladies that cleaned his neighbor's home. So I told him to hire the other "company" and then report back to me in a few months.

That report was filed today. And while he didn't give me the authority to reprint his email, just assume that hiring the two Columbian ladies didn't work out so well for him. And yes, he's now one of our customers.

Unfortunately, getting burned is the best formula for hiring Two Maids & A Mop. The virgin housecleaning customer just doesn't get it. You have to live it to understand it.

Dirty Maids Strike Again

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:13:00 +0000

HOUSTON, TX - Could your housekeeper be cleaning you out? It happened to a Houston woman-- her identity, stolen, by a couple of "dirty maids."

Now, two years later--she's got big tax troubles, over something she didn't do.

Shannon Lackey hired them to clean her house. “I said, wonderful job and then asked them to come back,” Lackey said. But Lackey had no idea her housekeepers were sweeping up more than dust.

“They were going around and cleaning people's houses and helping themselves to the identity and checks of their unsuspecting victims who thought they were just getting their house cleaned,” Assistant DA Mike Elliot said.

Joyce Butler and Harrison Johnson are the "dirty maids" who owned a company they called Afford-A-Maid. Butler and Johnson both pled guilty and were convicted of felony theft and money laundering. Johnson's now doing 18 months in a Texas state jail. Butler got 4 years probation, with 90 days in jail.

Lackey felt relief. “I thought it was behind me,” Lackey said. But she got the phone call last week from the IRS saying she has a $21,000 tax lien. Someone had filed a phony tax return-- in her name—and at the same time her housekeepers were busy doing their dirty deeds..

No one knows for sure who's behind that bogus tax return, but one thing is for sure: Lackey's troubles are far from over. “I just balled. I just balled! I thought it was over with,” she said.

And ironically, Butler still works as a maid but cleaning commercial businesses instead of homes.

Lessons To Be Learned
1. Just because someone calls themselves a "company" doesn't mean that they're really a company. Anybody can create a professional sounding business name. It takes about five seconds and zero dollars. Don't be fooled.

2. Do some research on your new cleaning company. Ask for references. Ask for proof of insurance. Ask for proof of the bond. And don't just hire someone because they're affordable. Would you hire a dentist simply because he's affordable? Better yet, would you let a dentist use a needle in your mouth if his business name was Afford-A-Dentist?

3. If you've hired a real cleaning company, make them prove to you that their employees are safe and secure. No reputable cleaning company will hire anyone that has a criminal background. And if you're bound and determined to hire an individual, do your own nationwide criminal background search. It costs about $50, but it could save you lots of heartache and money down the road. In this particular case, a simple background check would have shown that one of the maids had been an outstanding warrant for credit card abuse!

4. In a nutshell, treat your house the same way you treat everything else. Saving a few bucks is important - especially in today's economy. But seriously, would you hire just anyone to file your taxes? Would you hire just anyone to photograph your wedding? Would you hire just anyone to clean your teeth? Then why would you hire just anyone to clean your house?

Yes, we clean your toilets. And yes, we scrub your baseboards on our hands and knees. But that doesn't mean you should expect any less professionalism from us as you do from your accountant or dentist. In the end, you're still a customer. And no matter if we cleaning your kitchen sink or filing your taxes, it's our job to make you happy.

Start acting like a customer and these kind of news clippings will disappear.

Testimonial From Gulf Breeze

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:47:00 +0000

"As always they are wonderful. They treat my home as if it was theirs. Unexpected tasks are done that are a big help to me. I know they don't have to play with the baby or make my bed but they always do. I am so thankful for their hard work."

Kimberly of Gulf Breeze

Cheap Rates & A Big Smile!!

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:37:00 +0000

It's been proclaimed time after time on this blog. Starting a cleaning business is easy. So easy that just about anybody can do it. It doesn't take a lot of brains. It doesn't take a lot of money. Heck, it doesn't even take a lot of nerve. Because if your new cleaning business fails, what have you really lost?

A quick trip to Walmart and you have your supplies. All you need now is a customer. And you know that the trick to getting a new customer is simple: just offer your services for a low price. There's at least one person out there that will hire you because, after all, it's just housecleaning - anybody can do it.

That's the recipe for your new cleaning business. Cheap rates and a big smile!!

Of course, anytime something is that easy - you can bet something bad is bound to happen.

Click here for proof.....

TwoMaids In The News....

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Talking a little spring cleaning in the Pensacola News Journal...

During the gloomy winter months, many people tend to let their housekeeping slip, said Ron Holt, owner of Two Maids and a Mop, a Gulf Coast-based maid service. "It's a seasonal thing," he said. "When the sun starts shining and the weather turns beautiful, that's when people get the urge to get their homes in order."

This time of year, and its attendant clean-sweep urges, "is like the Super Bowl for the cleaning business," Holt said.

Did I really say that?? Man I sound corny....

Cleaning For A Reason

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:03:00 +0000

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Contact Two Maids & A Mop now if you or anyone you know is currently undergoing cancer treatment. We have openings in all three locations.

St. Patrick's Day Party On A Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:12:00 +0000

Google Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Looks like a couple of our customers have reviewed us at Google Reviews. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Click this link for the reviews or just keep reading......

"I've had Two Maids & A Mop cleaning our house for almost two months. I changed from the speed cleaning company. They do a great job and leave the house spotless. No complaints. If you something specfic done just leave them a note and it is done. Great service!" Gulf Breeze, FL

"I was very pleased with the service. Two women cleaned and scrubbed, and the house looks great. They were friendly with the dog as well, so she did not have to be penned up while they were working." Pensacola, FL

How To Lose Your Personal Liberties......

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:02:00 +0000

A top U.S. Customs and Border Protection employee was arrested last year on suspicion of encouraging one of her cleaning ladies -- said to be an illegal immigrant -- to stay in the country.

An affidavit says Lorraine Henderson continued to employ a woman after being told she was an illegal immigrant.

Lorraine Henderson job as a Boston port director included helping keep illegal immigrants out of the United States. She was charged in federal court last year with harboring an illegal alien. An affidavit alleges that the immigrant was one of three Brazilian women -- all said to have been in the United States illegally -- whom Henderson paid to clean her condominium.

And just recently, Henderson was sued by two of her cleaning ladies for discrimination.

Of course, everyone knows why Henderson hired the illegal immigrant to clean her home. She was cheap. Cheaper than everyone else. So cheap that she legitimized the illegal activity.

If you hire a professional cleaning company, you never have to worry about being sued. You never have to worry about being audited. And you never have to worry about being arrested.

The question you have to answer is, " Do I want to save $10 - $20 so much that I'll endanger my personal liberties and freedom?" If the answer is yes, then go ahead and hire the cheapest cleaning lady in the world. If the answer is no, then go ahead and hire a professional cleaning company.

Customer Feedback From Mary Esther, FL

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:43:00 +0000

"I was VERY HAPPY with the service. Unfortunately I had a meeting and wasn't able to be there when your two employees arrived. They tried calling my cell phone twice but I wasn't able to answer either phone call due to my busy schedule. Instead of just waiting around for me to call - or worse leaving - they began cleaning what made sense to clean.

Your employees were very professional and asked succinct questions to ensure they performed the services I was looking for. When I got home the house was SPOTLESS, a pretty impressive feat based on the amount of dust from repairs and the general disarray (I have boxes with blinds laying around and other pieces of furniture out of place).

Your exceptional employees have taken a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm trying to rent out my house, and now I'll be able to show it while I'm gone. You've always done a great job for one of my friends and I'm glad he recommended your services to me. I'll be happy to pass on my recommendations to others as well. Please rate my service as a whole hearted 10. Take care and thanks again."

Meghan from Mary Esther, FL

Understanding The Nanny Tax....

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:48:00 +0000

If you hire an independent housecleaner, then you are subject to what's called a "nanny tax". The tax can be best described in this manner.

Look at your next pay stub from your own employer. The difference between your gross income and your "take home" pay is collectively called your payroll tax. Those payroll taxes pay for such things as social security and unemployment insurance. Everyone has to pay them - not just you.

When you hire an independent housecleaner, those taxes still have to be paid - and since you are now the employer - that responsibility lies with you. The government requires you to report your housecleaner's income and it also requires you to pay the corresponding taxes.

Here's a great article that sums up the nanny tax.

Of course, you don't have to pay the nanny tax if you hire a professional cleaning service such as Two Maids & A Mop. Just one more reason to hire us!!!

Hiring A Housecleaner Has Never Been Easier

noreply@blogger.com (Two Maids & A Mop) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:48:00 +0000

Hiring a housecleaner has never been easier. With unemployment levels rising every day, that leaves more people than ever looking for a quick way to make an extra buck.

Cleaning your house has never required lots of money or intelligence - so you can bet that many of those unemployed people will be leaving a flyer on your door in the next few weeks.

Be careful. Just because someone calls herself a housecleaning company doesn't mean that she knows one thing about how to clean your house or run a company. Here's proof that hiring any 'ol housecleaner could cause you much more pain that you realize.....

My Housecleaner Stole From Me - How Can I get My Money Back?