I've tried several cleaning services and none of them have cleaned to my liking. I found this company online and based on several positive reviews, I decided to give them a try. I signed up for weekly service. The owner sent a checklist of everything that would be done. The communication was good, and the rate was reasonable. When I have a cleaning scheduled, I do a good amount of picking up prior. I make all the beds--even though it was included I didn't want them to waste time with my ridiculous amount of throw pillows; I pick up everything laying on the floors, counters, etc. It's very straight when they arrive, all they have to do is come in and do the big clean. Supposedly. The first cleaning was ok. Nothing bad, nothing good, but no "wow" factor. The second time was horrible. My carpets weren't even vacuumed. It was the second thing I noticed. The first thing was that the Collector's Edition Digitally Remastered movie set had been stolen. I knew it was taken because they were out on my table. My son and I were watching them, he'd never seen this movie collection. The cases were there, the movies gone. I contacted the owner. She explained that it was a new girl and they had allowed her to work prior to her background check being returned. Once it came back, she had shoplifting charges and they fired her. Too late for me. The owner replaced the movies, rather quickly, communicated well with me about it, and I felt reassured and stupidly gave them another chance at no cost to me. This visit was ok as well. The thing I noticed is that not everything, not even most things, on the list were being completed. My ceiling fans were never dusted. I was told in writing that weekly customers get free oven and fridge cleaning. I had to request that on the last visit and since I didn't need my carpets vacuumed as I had them shampooed I was told we could swap out vacuuming for the fridge and oven. ??? Nothing on the counters was ever moved or lifted when they wiped. A mat by my kitchen sink wasn't moved to vacuum or mop under. Mirrors weren't cleaned, they picked and chose what to dust and didn't choose much. For nearly $400 a month it better be top notch. That's a lot of money. If you don't want to include things such as baseboards, fans, mopping and dusting, don't tell people you will. Am I picky? Yes! However, I chose this company because of the things I was told would happen and it was what I was looking for. There's nothing wrong with pickiness, unless someone doesn't do what they say. I clean homes for a living, too. I would never disrespect my clients so much and insult their intelligence in hopes they did not notice my laziness. Save your money. I truly think the owner is a sweet and good person, but she needs to "clean house" with her employees. I know she has worked hard to build a business and her employees are going to be her downfall. New ones, and some desperately needed new training, and a no tolerance policy might help her save face. I'm sad to say I had to chalk this company up with the rest of them: a disappointment

At first everything was great - house looked good but then we started to have issues. 3 different times they missed things like dusting the front part of the television stand but not behind it. Vacuuming all the rugs downstairs except the one in front of the door or even forgetting to clean the downstairs bathroom completely. Each time received a response from Kathryn with a promise this would not happen and once they even came back to re-clean the areas. When her employees came back they were not friendly at all and seemed very put out by having to do something they should have done in the first place.

I should mention during this period of two years we have had 3 dogs that stay inside - we gave her directions on what to do with our dogs and every month this was followed except two months. One month this summer during the hottest part of the days I came home to find all three of my dogs outside on the back porch with no water and no shade. After that visit she put together details of how our house cleanings should be handled with the dogs and also to make sure areas were not missed like they were on previous visits. The ladies were very familiar with my dogs and not once was there communication that I needed to do anything different with the dogs.

I say this because on Dec 3rd I put our dogs in the bonus room per the instructions from Kathryn and was reassured knowing that they would clean all other parts of the house without the dogs being under their feet and then they would let the dogs out and clean the bonus room. Or so I thought. I came home and my dogs were still in the bonus room and the room had not been touch. What was even more surprising was that there was no note about what had happened or no phone call. I called Kathryn immediately and sent her an email - no response. The next day I called again and no response. Finally I hear back from her about how busy they are and that their policy is that they do not open the doors where the animals are unfamiliar because of the risk getting bite. Now granted these people have been coming to my house for 2 years and knew my dogs, secondly I never knew that this had changed. If I would had known this I would had made arrangements ahead of time before my dogs were kept in a small room for 10 hours.

I could possibly understand if I would have been contacted during the cleaning that they weren't going to clean this room because of an incident with employee or a note left at my house about why the dogs were in the bonus room. NO COMMUNICATION.

Needless to say after having problems with them completing the work properly on 3 past occasions now add this incident with our animals we will no longer be using their service. After giving owner my feedback it was all a bunch of excuses. I would definitely recommend Pat's Cleaning Service. My mom has used them for years and I thought they were more expensive but it is worth it to have peace of mind and high quality service to. Buyer beware.

Here is the email from owner that I received after yet another time where they missed spots or overlooked something. I had no information that this had changed until 2 days after incident.

On Aug 13, 2013, at 2:49 PM, Cleaning Lady wrote:
Beth,
Here are the notes I have on your home. If you can think of anything I need to add please let me know.
Entry code to garage is XXXXX (kept private for your security)
-when you arrive put dogs in bonus room and close door during cleaning so they don't get in your way
-when finished with cleaning rest of house let dogs into other part of house and finish bonus room
-don't forget ds powder room
-dust thoroughly
-dust the entire TV stand in bonus room front and back
-dust TV stand in ds LR completely
-move jewelry box in master to dust
-MOVE EVERYTHING TO DUST
-keep metal front door closed during cleaning (dogs push on it and get out)
-don't forget glass table in foyer
-DO NOT LET DOGS OUTSIDE OF HOUSE