Have you ever heard someone say, “it’s hard to find good help these days?” You likely have, and while there is some truth to that, we have found the underlying problem to be far more related to unclear expectations and poor leadership from above, than in the employee itself.
No matter what industry your business is in, your employees deserve to know what is expected of them when they come to work each and every day. And it starts at the very beginning of the job search and hiring process—with a job description that not only clearly lays out the job duties, but gives the prospective employee the opportunity to be enthusiastic, knowing that they are capable of delivering on the responsibilities.
At Housecall Pro, we work with a lot of business managers in the residential cleaning space. We’ve heard their woes when it comes to finding great people. We’ve seen some awesome job descriptions, and some that have some serious room for improvement. That’s why we’re taking what we have learned from our experience working with those in the cleaning business, to provide a template with a job description that is ready to go—almost. All it needs is your company’s branding and some individual flair.
What to Include in a House Cleaner Job Description
Before we get into a list of what should be included in a job description, let’s align on the purpose of a job description in the first place. The goal of a job description is to communicate to potential workers not only that you have a job available, but what will be expected of them when they are hired. It will include a list of common duties, required skills and expectations, any required qualifications, and a summary of the intended working conditions.
Let’s take a closer look at those key sections.
Role Summary
This is where you have the opportunity to talk a bit about your company, the customers you serve, and the work that you do. The summary should clearly outline the title or role of the position that the description is for, and at a high level, what they will be responsible to do.
It is not necessary to go into significant detail in this section. Save the list of specific duties for the following section.
Job Responsibilities
This section contains a bulleted list of the specific responsibilities that a residential house cleaner for your company will be responsible to do. We suggest starting with the most significant responsibilities at the top, and listing less-common responsibilities toward the bottom.
This said, by no means will your list of job responsibilities be exhaustive. While it should be as complete as possible, you need to account for situations where more or less might be expected. That’s why we also suggest that the last bullet point in your list be: Other reasonable tasks as assigned by manager. This gives you some flexibility for certain needs you might have for one client over another, but also protects the employee a bit by calling out the understanding that this expectation is for reasonable tasks.
Qualifications and Skills
In this section, many employers break out qualifications and skills by required and desired. It is up to you if you want to take this approach, however, try not to list qualifications that are impossible to have achieved. For example, requiring that someone has five years of experience may turn off some younger workers who are new to the industry, highly trainable, and want to work.
Stick to things like a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle, ability to lift a certain weight, their ability to kneel or climb stairs. Think of the things that a residential house cleaner needs to be able to do to accomplish the job well with little to no assistance from team members.
On the Job Hours
We’ll be honest, many job candidates scroll right to this section (after looking at the compensation section) to ensure that the expected hours work with their lifestyle and other commitments. So, be clear and reasonable here.
Compensation
So many job descriptions leave out this important information, and it can create wasted time for both the applicant and the hiring manager, plus any other team members involved in the hiring process. Save everyone the hassle and be specific about the compensation that the role offers. And remember, it is perfectly okay to include a range, as long as you can justify why one person might be hired at one rate and another at a higher rate.
Keep in mind also that compensation is about more than just their pay. This is where you should list any benefits that you offer to residential house cleaners on your team. Think of things like paid holidays and time off, whether or not you offer a retirement plan, and most importantly, health, dental, and vision insurance.
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Summary and Next Steps
In this section, you have the opportunity to talk a bit more about your company plus add in what makes you stand out from the competition. This is your opportunity to include a bit of a sales pitch to generate excitement about why a job applicant should come and work for your company.
A highly effective way to conclude this section in your house cleaner job description is to provide insights into the complete application process and next steps. Doing so can also save you time because the applicant knows what to expect.
Residential House Cleaner Job Description Template
Now that you know the significance of each section of a house cleaner job description, let’s provide a template for you to use. Please know that the purpose of this template is to give you something to work with. Be sure to tailor the sections based on your company needs and the expectations you have for someone joining your team.
Here is a template that can get you started—if not most of the way to done.
Company Name: [Your Company Name]
Location: [Your Location]
Role Summary:
Join [Your Company Name], a leading provider in residential cleaning services. We are dedicated to providing the very best in service to our clients and are currently seeking energetic, detail-oriented individuals to join our team as Residential House Cleaners. This role is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and comfort of our clients’ homes.
Job Responsibilities:
- Meet with homeowners to discuss their needs and align on expectations for cleaning services.
- Perform standard cleaning tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, and trash removal.
- Ensure all rooms are cared for and inspected according to standards. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, bedrooms, hallways, etc.
- Sanitize and disinfect applicable services in the home, including bathroom and kitchen counters, toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers, etc.
- Safely handle cleaning solutions and properly operate cleaning equipment.
- Manage time efficiently to complete all tasks.
- Communicate with clients professionally when on site.
- Communicate with management promptly for any challenges, accidents, broken items, etc.
- Address and respond to client requests in a timely manner.
- Attend training sessions as requested by manager.
- Other reasonable tasks as assigned by manager.
Qualifications and Skills:
Required: Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
Ability to lift up to [specify weight], kneel, bend, and carry items.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to providing excellent customer service.
Preferred: Previous cleaning experience, but not required.
On the Job Hours:
Full-time/Part-time: [Specify hours] per week
Must be willing to work early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends.
Compensation:
Competitive hourly wage: [$X – $Y] based on experience
Benefits: Paid holidays, paid time off, [and if applicable, health, dental, and vision insurance], retirement plan contributions.
Summary and Next Steps:
At [Your Company Name], we pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment for our employees. We’re not just cleaning homes—we’re making a difference in the lives of our clients. If you’re looking for a role where you can take pride in your work and join a growing team, apply today!
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to [insert application email or link to online application portal]. The application process includes an initial phone screening, followed by an in-person interview. We look forward to hearing from you!
About [Your Company Name]:
[Your Company Name] is a leader in residential cleaning services. We serve clients across [Region/City], with a focus on reliability, efficiency, and exceptional customer service. Join us and be part of a team that values hard work and dedication.
Helpful Note from Housecall Pro: Please remember that this is intended to be a template to help you get started. It may be similar to job descriptions offered by your competitors. Be sure to review and modify each section as applicable to speak to your organizations and the unique services that you have to offer.
House Cleaner Job Description Frequently Asked Questions
- What Should I Look For When Hiring a House Cleaner?
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Your job description should clearly convey what you want to look for in a house cleaner. But more specifically, you want to look for an individual that does not have any restrictions keeping them from doing the job. Look for someone who is personable, reliable, and energetic. Also, look for someone who is highly trainable and can learn how to do the types of cleaning services that your company offers.
- How Can I Find Residential House Cleaner Job Candidates?
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We recommend that you post your job descriptions on various hiring platforms to ensure you have the best reach. However, make sure that your process to do so is well-documented so that you can freeze or remove job descriptions once your search is over. Leaving job descriptions posted to sites when you longer have a role to fill, creates a poor experience for candidates hoping to receive your call.
The best sites include Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and CareerBuilder. However, do not underestimate the importance of having a careers page right on your site. When you have a job description on your site, you can leverage social media platforms such as Facebook to do targeted advertising to help you find applicants.
- How Do I Create a House Cleaner Job Description?
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To create a great house cleaner job description that clearly outlines your expectations for the role and why an applicant would want to join your team, be sure to include the following categories: role summary, job responsibilities, qualifications and skills, on the job hours, and compensation. End your job description with a company summary that helps land the message of why someone should come work for you. Need help? Check out our template earlier in this article.
- Why Should I Use a House Cleaner Job Description Template?
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If you need house cleaners to join your team, you can’t wait weeks and weeks to get going. Your customers want their homes cleaned now. So, why reinvent the wheel when you don’t have to? Leveraging a house cleaner job description template or a cleaning service description example can save you precious time and money.
