Home & Garden
How Merry Maids of Bethlehem Prides Itself As A 'People Business'
Award-winning Merry Maids provides free housecleaning to women undergoing cancer treatment. [SPONSORED]
Audrey Rehnert’s award-winning house-cleaning and maid service Merry Maids of Bethlehem is more than a business; it’s a member of the community.
From Merry Maids’ partnership with Cleaning For a Reason — providing free housecleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatment — to a reputation that spans more than 36 years, Audrey shares the benefits of hiring a maid service and how her franchise distinguishes itself from the competition.
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Patch: Tell us about Cleaning for a Reason and the significance of Merry Maids of Bethlehem’s partnership with the nonprofit.
Rehnert: My Merry Maids franchise has partnered with Cleaning For a Reason to provide free housecleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatment since 2010. It has been a humbling and worthwhile experience for me and my employees. This is a wonderful cause, and I am proud to be involved. I know that there are many women who can benefit from this service in my area, but don't know that this service exists.
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Patch: What are the benefits of hiring a maid service versus a housekeeper?
Rehnert: All employees must pass a complete background screening process and drug screen. You want to know that the people you have coming into your home can be trusted.
Anytime you hire someone to clean your home, you essentially become their employer. Merry Maids takes on the responsibility of collecting and paying all employer related taxes and social security deductions. All employees are uniformly trained and are provided ongoing training throughout their tenure.
Merry Maids has insurance that will protect the homeowner against damage or theft to their property. We also insure all of our employees with workers’ compensation coverage in the event they are injured while cleaning your home. Unexpected things happen, and you may need to change your cleaning day. Day changes are not a problem. We also provide all equipment and supplies to do the job. Save money at the grocery store by not having to buy expensive cleaning products. Lastly, our work in your home is guaranteed. If, for some reason, you are not completely happy with your service, we will return to redo the areas in question.
Patch: How does Merry Maids distinguish itself from area competition?
Rehnert: By providing dependable and trustworthy service. Merry Maids has been in the marketplace for over 36 years. The company created the standard by which other cleaning services are measured.
Patch: Tell us about your staff and their backgrounds.
Rehnert: I currently have a staff of 20 people, and I employ a staff of 15 cleaning professionals. My office manager of 13 years oversees the day-to-day operations with the help of her assistant. My sales consultant meets with clients to customize a cleaning plan for their home customized to their budget. My quality assurance supervisor/trainer keeps in contact with our customers to assure they are receiving consistent quality service.
Patch: What is the Merry Maids definition of success?
Rehnert: Success is when you deliver exceptional customer service from beginning to end — a professional, in-home visit with our sales consultant, a top-notch initial cleaning by a team of Merry Maids, a follow-up by our office staff to review any areas of concern or questions about the service.
The customers tell us, “Merry Maids has not only met my expectations, but has exceeded my expectations.”
Patch: Merry Maids of Bethlehem specializes in five areas throughout Pennsylvania’s Northampton County. How did you come to select these communities?
Rehnert: I purchased a single territory in 1992 that I have grown and developed over the past 27 years.
Patch: Tell us about Merry Maids of Bethlehem’s proudest moments.
Rehnert: I have many moments that I am proud of: my A+ business rating with the Better Business Bureau, receiving the Morning Call Readers Choice Award for best housecleaning service in the area for the past 11 years, receiving the Who’s Who Award for the best cleaning service in the area since 2011.
Most recently, one of my employees, Cathy Folger, who has over 20 years of service was awarded Team Member of the Year. She was nominated from a pool of almost 300 nominees throughout the Merry Maids network. Cathy was invited to attend the annual convention in Memphis, TN where she was presented with this prestigious award at the gala awards dinner. She also received some gifts and a $1000 award.
Our Merry Maids office was awarded the Pennsylvania Governor's Safety Award of Excellence. The award was presented to me by representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor &
Industry. This award recognizes businesses in the state that are committed to providing a safe work environment for their employees through employee engagement and education.
Patch: What advice would you offer to someone seeking out maid service for the first time?
Rehnert: No two services are alike in what they offer. Getting a price over the phone, albeit fast, is not always best.
When seeking out maid service for the first time, I would recommend having a list of questions prepared for the cleaning services you are interviewing: “How long has the company been in business?” “Does the company have ties to my community?” “Is the company dependable?” Will it be around tomorrow? “Do I have to sign a contract for the ongoing maid service?” “Does the company guarantee its work?” “Are employees screened?” “What happens in case of accidents or damage?” “Who pays employment taxes and social security?” “Are the workers trained in any way?” Cleaning is not just cleaning. “Do they provide the equipment and products to do the job?” “What kind of products are used?” “What happens if I am not satisfied with the work that is done?” “Do they offer specialized cleaning services?”
In order to accurately price a home, we need to see the areas that we are cleaning. This will allow the client to get the best price for the best service. It will allow us to customize your cleaning so you are paying for what is most important to you.
Patch: How can Patch readers contact you or otherwise learn more information about Merry Maids of Bethlehem?
Rehnert: PATCH readers can call our office Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Our office telephone number is (610) 866-8428. Email us or text us using our unique text line via (610) 624-2453. For more information, visit our website. For more information on Cleaning For A Reason, visit their website.
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