25 August 2021

A Price Guide on How Much to Clean a House

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Cleaning can be a tough task, especially if you’re a busy bee with a hectic lifestyle. While hiring cleaning professionals may have crossed your mind at some point, for many people, it is still considered a luxury. 

If you’re on the fence about whether a cleaning service is a worthwhile investment, we’re here to tell you it certainly is! In addition to making your home safer and more hygienic - preventing bacteria buildup and allergies, it can also increase its value under the right circumstances.

...But what about the costs?

Cleaning costs depend on a variety of factors, including property size, number of rooms, and its current condition. While most people are already aware of these factors, there are plenty more that may not have crossed your mind.

Your Location

How much does it cost to clean your house? It all begins with where you live!

Your geographical region can influence the service price as some regions are more expensive than others due to labor rates, transportation costs and other factors such as materials used in construction.

More often than not, larger cities  are more expensive to live in. This is because the cost of living, which includes food and housing expenses, are typically higher than they would be in rural areas. Furthermore, there is a higher demand for cleaners due to it’s relatively larger population - more houses, more cleaners. 

It's also worth considering your location relative to where you'll need services performed when making this decision. If a cleaner has to travel a significant distance to get to you, this will be reflected in their rates.

Size of your house and Number of Rooms

The size of your house would also greatly affect the cost.  Cleaners must charge more for larger homes because they will require more hours of work, and manpower compared to smaller ones.     

Larger houses have more rooms and generally include furniture, fixtures, and floors  that need to be cleaned. In addition to the manpower needed to clean these rooms,  the cleaning supplies necessary will also be more expensive.

Smaller houses require less time and labor, therefore making them a cheaper option when it comes to house cleaning services.

Type of Service

Cleaning service providers offer two kinds of services; a standard cleaning and a deep clean. A standard cleaning service intends to help in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, but a deep clean goes further.

Regular Clean vs Deep Clean

Those who offer deep clean charge more than those offering standard cleaning, due to the time and effort spent on deeper cleaning. Standard cleaners clean surfaces such as tables, countertops, and floors. 

Deep cleans include areas that are out of sight to the eye like ceiling fans, window sills, door frames, and cabinets. Deep cleaning will cost more than basic cleaning because it requires more time to be done by professionals who have unique skills. 

Move-Out Cleaning

Moving out of a home or apartment can be a stressful and time-consuming process.  One of the more overlooked tasks is cleaning, but it's extremely significant as you’re required to leave your unit clean to get your bond back. 

That’s where a move-out cleaning service comes into play. A professional can help to clean all surfaces before you leave, ensuring you’re not left with any residue for the next tenant. An End of Lease cleaner will perform deep cleaning tasks like  scrubbing floors, walls, and windows, helping to ensure your bond is returned in full.

The time needed to clean your property will depend on the extent of dirt  and staining. If you only have a few stains, the job will be much quicker than if your floors were covered in mud and food particles after months of cooking or neglectful living.

Hiring professional cleaners to do this type of service will let you focus more on other move-in/move-out priorities, like packing and transporting your things.

Individual Cleaner vs. Cleaning Company

Another thing you need to think about is if you want a single cleaner or a team of cleaners working in your place. 

Cleaning companies are usually more expensive than individual cleaners because they employ more people, therefore requiring a price rate whether it'd be hourly or a flat fee. Companies provide their personnel with uniforms, vehicles, and cleaning equipment, which explains why their rates are slightly higher than individual and small business cleaners. This is recommended for bigger and messier homes, for this would be a faster and more efficient option.

Individual cleaners can provide you with the same deep cleaning services as a company but for much less money. Individual cleaners can provide you with the same deep cleaning services as a company but for much less money.  A private cleaner who regularly services a client will also be more knowledgeable about their home and the client's needs, which can save time and hassle. 

If you choose to hire a cleaning company, make sure the property has enough coverage for them. It's not uncommon that one cleaner can't cover an entire home or office in their allotted time slot.

Additional Services

The cleaning professionals may provide other services aside from cleanings, such as carpets, window washing, or gutter cleaning.  

Requesting for eco-friendly cleaning products is also a part of the additional service some companies provide. These products are safe and non-toxic and cost a little extra. Although you’ll be paying more, eco-friendly cleaning products are worth it in the long run, especially if you have a weak immune system or have kids and pets at home. 

22 August 2021

How Long Does Concrete Foundation Repair in Dayton, Ohio, Last? | A Homeowner’s Guide to Repairs

When you invest in concrete foundation repair in Dayton, Ohio, you want to know that those fixes will last as long as possible! Not only are foundation repair costs an expensive investment but it’s vital that your home sits on a solid, stable foundation. A weak foundation allows a structure to shift and then sink, risking wall cracks, buckled floors, mold, and other damage.


A foundation repair contractor in Dayton is the best source of information when it comes to repairs your home needs. However, you might note some general information about various foundation repair methods and their overall longevity, so you know what to expect during the project and if you might need to pay for certain fixes repeatedly throughout the years. Ask the foundation repair experts in Dayton by visiting their website.

Concrete Foundation Repair in Dayton, Ohio, Methods

To better understand how long concrete foundation repair for Dayton homes might last, it’s good to break down this information according to repair methods. Knowing how various repairs are performed can give you a better idea of why they have such a difference in price and longevity, and understand the foundation fixes your contractor might recommend.

Foam injections, patches, and sealants

Foam injections and masonry patches and sealants are excellent choices for minor cracks and emergency repairs. Foam injections seep deep into concrete then expand and harden, filling in cracks and blocking moisture.

Masonry patches and sealants are used to repair surface cracks along concrete walls and blocks. These also keep those cracks from growing and expanding while blocking moisture.

These fixes typically cost just a few hundred dollars per application. Some injections and patches are durable and meant to last for years if not indefinitely, but other products might last anywhere from 3 to 10 years before they degrade and need replacing.

Steel, concrete, and helical piers

Underpinning refers to inserting steel or helical piers or pins into the ground surrounding a basement foundation, or underneath a concrete slab foundation. These either sit under the foundation, providing added support, or are attached to the side of a foundation.

Concrete piers are similar to pins but are poured under a slab foundation. These piers then dry and offer added support to a weak or cracked foundation. Concrete piers are also useful for foundations or concrete structures needing only lightweight support, such as porches or patios.

Steel pins can last for decades if not indefinitely, and especially if you take added steps to protect them from damage such as installing drainage systems. Concrete piers don’t have the same longevity but can last for decades before needing repair or replacing.

House leveling

House leveling or slab jacking is used for homes that have already begun to sink. Holes are drilled into the foundation and then a special slurry or mud is injected underneath the slab; that slurry dries and lifts the foundation back into place, offering added support and stability.

Most house leveling products last for decades if not indefinitely. However, as with any foundation repair in Dayton, Ohio, it’s vital that you take steps to correct whatever may have contributed to that foundation damage in the first place, such as grading your property or waterproofing the foundation.

Carbon fiber straps

Weakened basement walls might tend to bow inward as they struggle to hold up the weight of the home. Carbon fiber straps help correct his bowing; these straps are attached to the walls as needed and then tightened, pushing those walls back into position.

Depending on their quality, carbon fiber straps should last many years if not decades. Waterproofing the basement walls and ensuring proper drainage outside the home will also help prevent future water damage, keeping those walls strong and secure.

Shimming

Shims are wedges pounded in between cross pieces; if your home’s floor tends to sag or squeak in certain areas, you might pound wood shims between the subfloor and floor joists, for added strength and stability. Foundation shims are wood or metal pieces inserted between piers and beams underneath a home.

While shims offer some added stability for a foundation, they are typically considered a short-term fix. Expect to have shims reinstalled or otherwise adjusted every few years, as needed.

How to Ensure Concrete Foundation Repair in Dayton Lasts

As with any home improvement project, if you don’t take steps to correct whatever causes foundation damage in the first place, you will likely need foundation repairs again before too long. Since excess moisture is a common cause of foundation damage, ensure your property is graded properly, allowing moisture to flow away from the home rather than pooling around the foundation.

Concrete waterproofing also helps protect against moisture damage. Invest in professional waterproofing services for your home, as DIY applications are usually low-quality and don’t offer the same protection as professional products and services. Professional waterproofing is often done along with concrete foundation repair in Dayton, to protect that work and ensure your home is always stable and secure.