The Fear After the Job: How to Know If Your Cleaning Client Was Actually Happy

You finish the job, the house looks great, you load up and head out. Somewhere on the drive home it hits you — is my cleaning client actually happy with the job?

You start questioning your own work. Did I remember to clean the ceiling fan in the master bedroom? Did I shut the light off in the utility room? And the thoughts just keep going. Take a moment, breathe, and ask yourself: did I do everything on my checkoff list? Then ask yourself, did I do the best I could? If the answer is yes, your cleaning client is almost always happy and grateful.

How to Find Out If Your Cleaning Client Is Happy

We’ve talked about how scary it can be to make that first sales call. Knocking on the door, quoting the price, landing the client. That same fear is exactly what you’re feeling right now. The best thing to do today is nothing. You finished the job and you did your best. Tomorrow or the next day is a different story. That’s when it’s perfectly fine to pick up the phone and follow up.

When you call, let the customer know you appreciate their business and want to make sure everything was as they expected. Get specific: “Did you find the kitchen and bathroom the way we discussed in our initial presentation?” “Were you able to see a difference on your hardwood floors or carpet?” Questions like that lead to a simple yes or no, so you know exactly where you stand. Thank the customer again for their business and their time. Then close with a soft pitch, something like: “If you were happy with the service, we’d appreciate you telling your family or neighbors about us. Thank you.”

What If You Don’t Hear Back?

One thing we wouldn’t do is leave a message on voicemail. You never know if they actually got it. They’re not obligated to call back just to tell you the job looked great. Honestly, you’re more likely to hear back only if you missed something. If you don’t hear anything, assume everything was great. The customer is satisfied and looking forward to your next cleaning.

We always like to hear words of affirmation for the work we do. The truth is, the customer doesn’t owe you that. Many customers leave a little note, maybe a tip, thanking you for a job well done.

Want the system behind landing and keeping your first clients? Our Starter course walks you through it, step by step.

Next time, we’ll talk about the things in this business you can’t control — and the ones you can.