FAQS
Have a question about Sparkle Express Cleaning Services? You'll find your answers here. If you have any other questions you can email, text, call, or chat with us online.
What areas do you service?
We currently service all of the Portland Metro area and surrounding suburbs (excluding Washington state neighborhoods). We occassionally perform one time cleaning services out of our 25 mile service area, but there is a $35 out of service area fee that will be added.
Click Here for a list of locations we service and areas we do not service.
How do I get an estimate?
Simply click the 'Get an Estimate Here' button and fill out intake form. Provide some details about your home, let us know what type of service you need, choose any additional service options, and submit. We will provide you with a link to your estimate via email. Just click on the link provided to review and make any changes.
What's the next step after I get the estimate?
After you have reviewed your estimate and our New Client Service Agreement form in our Client Hub, make any changes to your service request, pay the deposit, and approve the estimate. Approving the estimate will act as a signature accepting our Client Service Agreement and acceptance of the estimate provided. Once we receive the approval, we will reach out if your preferred dates are not available and get you scheduled. You'll receive a booking confirmation along with a calendar invite. If we have any questions, we will reach out to you by email.
I've never had a professional cleaning service before, I'm nervous/embarrassed!
Not really a question, but something we hear often.
Don't feel nervous or embarrassed! We've seen it all! We're professional cleaners and do what we do best, CLEAN! We love turning a home around and making it Sparkle! We're here to bring our clients relief with our cleaning service. We'll do our best to make you feel at ease and answer any questions you have. Coming home to a clean house is really a superb feeling!
What should I expect at my first cleaning service appointment?
You will get a reminder notification the day before and an hour before your appointment via text message. For the best results and to reduce overall cost of the service, we request you declutter your home as much as possible prior to service. This will allow our team to provide a thorough and exceptional cleaning of your home.
Once the Cleaning Technicians arrive, they will perform an initial walkthrough of your home. They will cover what will be performed, answer any questions, and make note of any items or areas that they need to be careful around. While all employees are bonded and insured and we can replace most items in the home, anything of sentimental value cannot be replaced. We want to make sure we are extra careful around those precious items.
The cleaning team will then get to work. When the team is finished with the cleaning, they will perform a final walkthrough with you. It is not a necessary step, but we strongly recommend doing this so we can address any concerns you have immediately. We want to make sure you are happy with the end result.
How long does a typical cleaning service take?
There is no set amount of time - it all depends on the size and condition of your home. Each family and home are different, but we are very confident with the estimate range we provide.
Why do I need a Deep Clean before I start recurring service?
From experience, we have found an initial deep clean service is almost always necessary to ensure we can meet our standards for the following recurring service. We establish a baseline for future cleaning services and use our cleaning system to help maintain your home close to the deep clean state. While we do our best to try and keep it at this state, we recommend scheduling a deep clean once every year to bring the home back to the shine.
Do I need to be home?
No, you do not! You can provide our team with a mode of entry whether providing a door code, garage code, or a key. We just ask you provide a means to contact you if the team has any questions.
With that said, for one time cleaning services or the initial deep cleaning prior to becoming a recurring service client, we prefer you be present at least for the initial walkthrough. It helps ensure expectations are met and we're both happy at the end of service. Plus, we love meeting our clients!
Are you a pet friendly service? Are you able to use non-toxic products?
We love animals as much as you do! Our teams are familiar with the proper treatment of dogs, cats and other pets. We do ask when possible to keep your pets in an area that allows for the cleaning team to clean as efficiently as possible.
If you would like non-toxic products used for your cleaning service please let us know in the "Special Instructions" section of your estimate form prior to submission.
Are there any services you don't offer?
While we offer a wide range of home cleaning services, we cannot resurface/wax/refinish floors, wash or put away dishes, wet wipe light bulbs, move large furniture, or dispose of an excessive amount of trash. We can also not clean exterior windows, mold, bio hazards, pet waste and insect or rodent problems. For a full list of what we offer see our Services page
Are you bonded and insured?
Yes we are! To obtain a copy of our Certificate of Insurance, please include the request when you submit your estimate request.
Why do I need to pay a deposit?
The primary reason is scheduling. We have held appointment slots only for last minute cancellations when we did not require a deposit. We're a small family business and losing an appointment last minute has a significant impact when running our business.
When will I be charged?
Upon completion of the cleaning service you will receive an email or text message that links to your Client Hub. In the Client Hub you can review your invoice and make a payment through the payment portal.
For recurring service clients, we have the option of setting up automatic billing upon completion of a service visit. Please let your team know if you would like this option.
What is your cancellation policy?
For Initial Deep Cleaning services, one time Deep Cleaning services, or Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning services, if the cancellation is made more than 72 hours in advance of the appointment date, we will provide a full refund of the deposit. Notice with less than 72 hours will not be refunded their deposit.
For recurring service appointments, we ask you provide more than 48 hours notice if you have to cancel or reschedule service. If more than 24 hours but less than 48 hours notice is given to cancel or reschedule an appointment, there is a $70 cancellation fee applied. If less than 24 hours notice is provided for cancellation or rescheduling an appointment, 50% of your recurring service visit price will be charged.
What do you mean by "Labor Hours"?
This basically means for every physical hour a Sparkle Express cleaning staff member on site performs a service will equal one man hour. Generally there will always be two staff members on site (sometimes three for larger jobs), so the one physical hour would equal two man hours (or three man hours with three cleaners on site).
Example: Two cleaners begin cleaning your home at 1:00PM and complete the work at 2:00PM. That would be one physical hour but equate to two labor hours (with three cleaners would equal three labor hours). Same scenario but the two staff crew complete the clean at 3PM (two physical hours) would equal four labor hours (with three cleaners it would equal six labor hours).