The first visit with a new cleaning service is when you build the long-term relationship. A few minutes of intentional onboarding makes every future visit better. Here's a practical list of what to share.
Before the visit (text or email)
- Where to park, how to get in (lockbox code, key location, etc.)
- Pets — names, friendliness, where they'll be during the visit
- Anything off-limits (a room not to enter, a closet not to open)
- Preferred entry/exit method
During the first visit (5-minute walkthrough)
- Show them the kitchen. Which surfaces are sensitive (e.g., marble, copper, butcher block). Where the trash and recycling go.
- Show them each bathroom. What products you want them to use vs. avoid. Where the cleaning supplies are if you keep some.
- Point out floor types. Hardwood vs. LVP vs. tile vs. carpet — each gets cleaned differently.
- Mention quirks. The door that sticks. The cabinet that doesn't close right. The fan that's loud.
- Show them where small items go. Remotes, throw pillows, decorative objects — say "I keep these here" so they get put back correctly.
What to NOT do
- Don't hover. Once you've done the walkthrough, leave them to work. Following them around makes a 90-minute job into a 3-hour social event.
- Don't redo their work. If something isn't right, tell the service, not the cleaner.
- Don't apologize for the state of the home. They've seen worse. Genuinely.
After the first visit
Send specific feedback within 24 hours. Three pieces of feedback is the right amount: one thing that was great, one thing to adjust, one preference for next time. The relationship calibrates fast when communication is specific.
Want help with this? Learn more about our services from River Trail Cleaning — flat-rate pricing across Greater Little Rock and Central Arkansas.