Answers To The Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum service that you provide?
Two hours weekly or four hours fortnightly, whichever suits your circumstances. We find that many clients sign up for the two hour weekly service along with an additional hour for some ironing or cleaning that is not required every visit.
Is there a minimum length of time that I must agree to?
Yes, but this is only three months.
How much notice will I need to give should I need to cancel the service at some point in the future?
Only one month notice will be required in writing, but this can be via Email.
What insurance cover is provided?
All of our housekeepers are covered for Personal Injury (£10,000,000), Public Liability (£2,000,000) and Accidental Damage (£2,000,000 with an Excess of £125, Paid by us) whilst in your home.
Do you provide an ironing service?
Yes, at your request we will allocate a housekeeper to you that is able to provide this service at your home.
Can I choose which day the housekeeper comes?
Yes, we ask for a first choice and a second choice of day (just in case your first choice is not available at present). You may leave the choice of day to us if you wish or indicate which days are not convenient.
Will I have the same housekeeper each week?
Yes we believe that it provides consistency for both the client and the housekeeper. The housekeeper will become accustomed to your individual requirements. We will provide you with the housekeeper’s personal contact number so that you can communicate direct on any day to day matters but we are also here for you.
How is the payment made?
Most of this is made direct to the Housekeeper each visit by yourself usually by Cash or by Internet Transfer to the housekeeper’s bank account, the remainder is the management fee which is paid quarterly in advance by Standing Order but only when you have met with the housekeeper and agreed on a start date.
Why do I have to pay the quarterly management fee in advance?
As with most service providers a cost is payable in advance, e.g. BT charge the line rental in advance. Belle Casa purchases insurances and organises the services in advance.
What is the quarterly management standing order payment for?
The management fee part of the hourly rate, which pays for the management of the service (including providing temporary cover if requested), along with insurance costs whilst the housekeeper is in your home. This is not in addition to the advertised hourly rate but simply a part of it. Separating it is this way allows us to keep our hourly rate down for you as the whole amount does not become liable for Vat, National Insurance, Personal Tax and other business taxes. Our housekeepers are recruited on a self-employed basis.
What if I do not take to the housekeeper at our initial meeting?
We appreciate we do not gel with everyone, therefore please let us know and we will be happy to allocate another housekeeper to you and again you have the opportunity to meet with this new housekeeper before starting.
What happens if my housekeeper goes on holiday?
We ask our housekeepers to inform each of their clients at least two weeks in advance. The housekeeper will ask you if temporary cover is required and inform the office, we will then arrange this and inform you of the temporary housekeeper allocated. (Most clients prefer not to have a service whilst their regular housekeeper is on holiday and bank the hours, but temporary cover is available should you need it.).
What happens if my housekeeper is unwell?
Our housekeepers are instructed to let you know and they would most likely arrange another suitable time to carry out the service for you. If there are occasions where this is impractical, we suggest that the hours are banked and made use of at a time agreeable between yourself and the housekeeper. Temporary cover is however available should this be requested directly with the office.
How are the housekeepers selected?
Very thoroughly and very carefully!
Our recruitment process is designed to be very selective and ensure that the housekeeper has suitable experience, excellent references, has good communication skills and comfortable with answerphones (should they need to leave you a message at any time). We ask for and check on both employer and character references, including previous people they have cleaned for. We also ask the housekeepers’ permission for police checks, which you are permitted to pursue if you wish. We take National Insurance numbers, Proof of Address and Proof to work in the U.K, if Not British. All of our housekeepers speak English.
Whose equipment and products are used?
Our housekeepers use the equipment and products provided by the client. In a survey carried out by Belle Casa it showed that over 95% of clients preferred this. It not only keeps down the cost to the client but also ensures that our housekeepers use the products that you have found best suited to your floors / work surfaces etc. or perhaps it is purely down to the smell that you prefer in your home. It also ensures that animal hair is not transferred between homes when using the same vacuum cleaner.
14 Day Cooling off period?
You have the right to cancel the agreement within 14 days of signing the agreement if you change your mind for any reason, naturally before the housekeeper has started with you.
What if I have a different question?
Please call us direct on our office number and one of our team will be happy to help.