Why it matters
Being home during a clean usually slows it down. Cleaners work room by room in an order that makes sense, and working around someone on a laptop at the kitchen table means coming back to that room later.
That said, a little planning makes an empty house go smoothly. The most common problems we see aren't about security. They're about access and communication: a key that isn't where the note says, a gate code that changed, or a dog that's friendlier than expected.
Picture a typical setup. Someone in Langley works downtown and books a bi-weekly clean. They leave a lockbox on the side gate, note the code and which rooms to skip in the booking, and put the cat in the spare room with a note on the door. They come home to a clean house and never have to take a day off.
The other thing people worry about is surprises: what if the crew finds something that needs more time? That's where being reachable by phone matters.
Security and your first visit
A lockbox or keypad is better than hiding a key under a mat or planter, which is the first place anyone looks. If you use a door or garage code, consider a temporary one you can change later.
Valuables are rarely an issue, but put away cash, jewellery and anything irreplaceable, not because you expect a problem, but because it keeps everyone comfortable. The same goes for fragile items you'd rather dust yourself.
If you can, be home for the first visit, even for 15 minutes at the start. Walk the crew through:
- Rooms to skip or be careful in, such as a home office.
- Surfaces that need special care, like natural stone, hardwood or a glass stovetop.
- Where supplies can and can't be used, and where to leave anything they find.
- Your top priorities for every visit.
After that first walkthrough, most clients never need to be home again. The crew knows the house, you know how it works, and cleaning day becomes one less thing to plan around.
How Honourable Cleaning helps
When you book, there's a notes box for exactly this: where the key is, door and gate codes, pets, and rooms to skip. You get a reminder email the day before with your time and address, so you can double-check the details.
If our cleaners find something that needs more time than booked, they don't just carry on. You get a request on your phone showing the extra hours and the cost, and you approve or decline with one tap from wherever you are. Extra time is $35 per labour hour plus GST, and you're only charged if you approve it.
How it works in practice: extra-time requests arrive on your phone with the hours and cost, and nothing is charged unless you tap approve.
Key takeaways
- Arrange access in advance: lockbox, door code or garage code, and write it in your booking notes.
- Secure pets in one room with a note on the door, and put away valuables and anything fragile you'd rather handle yourself.
- Be home for the first visit if you want to show the crew your priorities, then leave them to it after that.
- Keep your phone handy on cleaning day in case the crew has a question or an extra-time request.
See your exact price
Pick your home size and service. Your flat rate shows up in about a minute, no phone call needed.
See my price →Call (604) 751-6260Questions people ask
Do I need to be home when the cleaners come?
No. Most of our regular clients aren't home during their clean. You'll need to arrange a way in, such as a lockbox, door code or garage code, keep pets secured or out of the way, and stay reachable by phone. It's worth being there for your first visit if you'd like to walk the crew through your priorities.
Related pages
Book a clean and leave access notes How to prepare for house cleaners