You’ve just worked with an extremely reliable and trustworthy cleaning service. They were excellent from the start— responsive to your questions, sensitive to your cleaning needs, and have only charged you after their job was done to your satisfaction.
Now the question comes: should you tip? The short answer is that it’s common etiquette to do so. But there are layers to it.
Do you hand over the tip to the specific cleaners or the company? Will giving a percentage of the final quote be appropriate or will a flat rate suffice? And what if you’re already paying a premium for the service? Let’s cover all these questions in this guide.
Tipping is usually appreciated for residential cleaning services but is not mandatory. Most cleaning companies already factor the labor costs into their pricing, so technically you’re not obliged to tip.
But if you’re happy with the quality of work they’ve shown, tipping is a great way to show appreciation and trust in them as your cleaning provider.
For one-time cleanings or on-demand services like move-outs, or deep cleanings, tipping is prevalent. Consider tipping about 15 to 20% of the price of the total quote if their cleaning is to your satisfaction.
Remember, the decision to tip is up to you, if you’re running on a budget, then providing a simple positive review or some other kind gesture can also be appreciated.
A Simple Guide On How Much You Should Tip A Cleaning Service
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It may be common in restaurants in Dallas to provide tips ranging from 15 to 20%, and most clients of cleaning companies use this as a benchmark. But there’s no hard and fast rule.
Nonetheless, here’s a quick guide:
- Residential Cleaning: 15-20%, but adjust the tip based on factors like satisfaction with the service, whether it’s a recurring cleaning service or a one-time job, and the scope of work or complexity of your home.
- Commercial Cleaning: Commercial cleaning services are typically done on a contract basis and are priced as per the services in the quote. However, it’s normal to provide a 10-15% tip or a flat fee for each cleaner involved in the job. It’s a generous gesture that they’ll remember.
- Holiday Bonuses: If you have cleaning staff (residential or commercial) come by, consider giving them a holiday bonus instead of frequent tipping. It’s another way to show your appreciation.
Again, tipping cleaning services is not mandatory and should be out of your own choice. If unsure, tap into the generosity of your heart and let the cleaning crew know their hard work is valued.
Tipping In Cash And The Right Time To Do It
Some cleaning companies accept tips provided via credit card or cash, but the latter is much more commonplace and preferred. This allows the tips to go directly to the cleaning staff and prevents deductions that can come from processing fees or the time delay.
Whenever possible, hand the tip AFTER the cleaning was done to your satisfaction, meaning you’ve inspected their work and everything was to your liking. You may even want to be discreet by handing in the tip in an envelope or attaching it with a small thank-you note.
Tipping is a concrete way of showing acknowledgement towards the efforts of service providers. Again, there’s no hard and fast rule on the amount— base it on personal choice.
The point is to show them you’re a valued customer and to build a relationship with the provider. After all, a strong connection with your cleaning professional can lead to consistent, high-quality service and a sense of trust beyond the transaction.