When starting a new residential cleaning account you'll need to explain to your new customer why you charge more for the "first time" cleaning. A first time cleaning of a new residential cleaning account is more like a "spring-cleaning" and needs extra staff time to remove extra soil and build-up. Your staff may spend anywhere from 4 to 8 times longer to clean a first time residential account than an existing client's home.

Why the extra time? A customer who has never had their home professionally cleaned is likely to have soil build-up throughout the house. Or, if you're taking over an account from another residential cleaning contractor, it's likely the customer decided to make a change because they weren't happy with the quality of cleaning. In this case, you're probably going to run into areas that haven't been properly cleaned for a while. Your staff will need to remove the extra soil and build-up before you can create a regular maintenance schedule. Although each home you clean will be different, the following are challenges you are likely to face when cleaning a home for the first time:

Bathrooms. You will probably need to put extra effort will into removing hard water stains from fixtures, tubs and sinks. You may find build-up around the bottom of toilets, faucets, and other fixtures. Shower doors may have lime, rust, and hard water spots. The entire room needs to be taken back to a clean starting point so in the future, regular cleaning will keep everything shiny and deposit free.

Kitchen. There are many small cracks and crevices in the kitchen that some residential cleaning services overlook. The tops of cabinets, cupboards and refrigerators are places that often go undusted or uncleaned for long periods of time. You'll also find grease and fingerprints on most surfaces, especially stove tops, refrigerator doors, and small appliances. A good overall cleaning is essential to remove the hidden dirt, grease and even spilled food the homeowner never thoroughly cleaned up.

Living rooms and bedrooms. You have no doubt been hired to clean because the home owner is too busy to do a thorough cleaning job. As people get busy, they sweep and vacuum what's visible, but they tend to ignore vacuuming and sweeping behind or under furniture. Dusting is often a task that homeowners leave for "when there is time". Window sills, bookshelves, baseboards, and other furniture may have a build-up of thick dust that has been there for a long time.

Hallways and entryways. These may be small areas that have build-up around baseboards and edges. It is important to keep these areas clean as dust and dirt is tracked in from hallways and entryways.

Removing the build-up of soil and grime is essential before you can get a home to looking its best. Once the home has had a careful cleaning it will be faster and easier for your team to go in and clean on the schedule agreed upon. Getting back to a basic starting point is important so you have a "clean slate" to work with. Beginning at the starting point you can make sure that every time you clean, the home will shine and that means a satisfied customer!