FAQs

1. How does this work?
It’s quick and it’s easy to get started. We offer weekly, bi-weekly and ‘as needed’ services. We also offer move-in and move-out services. One cleaner will be assigned to your home, so you always know who will be there. Better By Audrey will provide an estimate for your length of service based on your needs.

Your cleaner will clean for a specified length of time, and your cost is based on that length of time. You may choose to be home, but it’s not necessary to be there. If you won’t be home, please let us know how your cleaner will get inside. Most customers like to give their cleaner a key or have a hiding spot for it. We ask that your house be well picked up, dishes done, and your cleaning supplies be pulled out and readily available for your cleaner prior to her arrival.

You are free to change your service length or frequency or cancel service at any time. The only item you’ll sign is a form stating that the cleaner works as an independent contractor, and Better By Audrey does not control her actions.

2. Who provides the supplies and equipment?
For the most part, the cleaner will use your supplies and equipment, and we’ll provide you with a list. Nothing fancy or expensive is required. She’ll provide her own gloves, and any specific tools that she just can’t do without.

3. What will my cleaner do?
Your service will be catered to your specific needs, however, in general your cleaner will provide a thorough cleaning of your bathrooms, vacuum your floors, mop your hard surface floors, provide a thorough dusting/glass cleaning of your furniture and decorative items, scour the kitchen sink, wipe the kitchen counter-tops and the items that stay on the counter-tops, wipe down the kitchen table and chairs, clean the outside of the frig, stove and dishwasher, clean the microwave inside and out, and remove the trash from the house. Your cleaner will also clean glass front doors and patio doors.

There are a variety of chores that the cleaner can do as requested such as dusting ceiling fans, blinds and baseboards, changing bed sheets, and washing towels etc. We do not clean windows, carpet, or clean up after pets. Typically, the cleaners do not launder clothes or iron.

4. How do I pay?
Your cleaner accepts cash or a personal check made payable directly to her. Please leave it on the kitchen counter-top. Payment is due on the day of service.

5. Are your cleaners bonded and insured?
No. We treat your home with great care, however, should damage or breakage occur, your cleaner is expected to work with you to resolve the matter to your satisfaction.

Better By Audrey is a Domestic Referral Agency that outsources house cleaning jobs to independent contractors who are under contract with the referral agency. The house cleaners should issue Better By Audrey a 1099 each year. The house cleaners are not employees of the referral agency or the client, as neither side has control over exactly how the work is being performed.

1. How do you find your Nannies?
Our nannies come to us from a variety of sources. Many of them are referrals from current nannies, friends of the agency, or other customers. Regardless of how they come to us, they are all subject to the same application, interview, and  thorough reference checking process.

2. What do Nannies do and not do?
The responsibilities of each nanny can vary from family to family. In addition to in-home childcare, nannies are typically expected to prepare children’s meals, and do their laundry. They are also expected to clean up after themselves and the children. Sometimes they will also transport children, run errands, shop, manage small household tasks, and do light house cleaning. We will work together to identify the needs and preferences of your family and then secure just the right nanny to meet those needs.

The focus of our nannies must be the children, so your nanny is not a house cleaner. Pet care, plant care, and work outside the house are generally not considered part of a nanny’s responsibilities. Nannies by nature are flexible and easy-going though, so you can rely upon your nanny to be as accommodating as possible to serve your family in many ways.

3. How long will I wait for my Nanny?
We recommend that if you know you’ll need a nanny, you start the search process right away. There’s no set time frame for how long it will take to find her.  Better By Audrey will search for a nanny specifically for you based on your criteria, so it’s not a process that we want to rush. A quick placement would occur within a week, but some placements can take several weeks.

4. Do you place babysitters or part-time Nannies?
Our forte is placing nannies in permanent positions that are 3 -5 days per week. We do not place babysitters.

5. What is the cost to get a Nanny?
There is a cost for the agency’s services and the on-going payment of the nanny.

The agency cost is broken in to two fees. The first is a retainer fee of $350.00. Payment of this fee initiates a search. The first step of the search is the completion of a Nanny Questionnaire. Your answers to the questions will help Better By Audrey find the perfect nanny for you and your child(ren).

The second fee is the placement fee, and it becomes due after the nanny has been working in your home for a month, and you and your nanny are both happy with the placement. For the placement of a full-time nanny, this cost is $1,300.00 making the total cost $1,650. The cost is reduced for nannies working fewer than 5 days per week.

You will pay your nanny her wage/salary directly, and her pay is separate from the agency. Nannies are typically paid $12- $20 per hour depending on a number of factors.

1. How do you find your Personal Assistants?
Our personal assistants come to us from a variety of sources. Many of them are referrals from connections within our network, friends of the agency, or other customers. Regardless of how they come to us, they are all subject to the same application, interview, and  thorough reference checking process.

2. What does a Personal Assistant do and not do?
You may choose to have a personal assistant for a few hours every-other week, full-time, or somewhere in between.

Our personal assistants will serve you in many valuable and useful ways so that you’ll have less stress and more organization in your life. An excellent assistant will quickly learn to anticipate your needs and be adept at meeting those needs in a professional and efficient way. She/he will relieve you of the routine tasks that clutter your days and allow you to have more time to focus on your family, interests, and hobbies.
The following is a list of ways in which a personal assistant can serve you. You may have other needs which aren’t listed here. Just say the word, and we’ll try to get the job done.

• Grocery shopping and putting groceries away at the house
• Target/Walmart shopping
• Errands such as dry cleaners, library, pharmacy, fur storage, wine store etc.
• Schedule and be available for home repair and maintenance service people
• Schedule your appointments such as doctor, hair, massage etc.
• Travel planning i.e. research and booking
• Pet care (groomer, kennel)
• Party plan for children’s parties
• Recycling
• Make exchanges and returns
• Internet research and purchasing
• Make phone calls
• Retrieve and sort mail (USPS and Email)
• Management of family calendar
• Registration of children’s extracurricular activities and camps
• Make dinner reservations
• Assist with home entertaining
• Food preparation such as cutting fruits and veggies
• Organize drawers, cabinets, and pantry
• Address and organize greeting cards for up to a year in advance
• Purchase and wrap gifts
• Send flowers
• Light gardening such as potting plants and flowers, planting annuals
• Organize family photos
• Plant care
• Airport drop off and pickup

Personal Assistants, by nature are eager to serve and problem solve. They are organized, efficient, and task oriented. They delight in accomplishing those tasks that burden you.

While we try to do everything within our power to satisfy our customers, your personal assistant will not perform chores that are considered dangerous, too physically taxing, personally offensive, or illegal.

Your assistant will make those determinations on a case by case basis. Personal assistants are not, however, child care providers, personal caregivers, or house cleaners. If you are in need of a house cleaner or a nanny, please visit other parts of this web site and contact Better By Audrey.

3. How long does it take to get a Personal Assistant?
There’s not a set time frame for how long it will take to find your personal assistant. Better By Audrey will search for your assistant specifically based on the  criteria you’ve provided,  so it’s not a process that we want to rush. A quick placement would occur within a week, but some placements can take several weeks. It also depends on how many hours of work you’re wanting per week.  Full time placements will typically take longer than ones involving just a few hours per week.

4. What does it cost to get a Personal Assistant?
For a full time personal assistant there is an agency cost plus the wage/salary of the assistant.

The agency cost is  broken into two fees. The first is a retainer fee of $350.00. Payment of this fee initiates a search. The first step of the search is the completion of a Personal Assistant Questionnaire. Your answers to the questions help Better By Audrey find the perfect personal assistant for you.

The second fee is the placement fee, and it becomes due after the personal assistant has been providing service for a month and you and your assistant are both happy with the placement. The placement fee for a full-time personal assistant is $1300.00 making the total cost $1650.

You will pay your personal assistant her wage/salary directly, and her pay is separate from the agency. Personal Assistants  are typically paid $20-$30 per hour depending on a number of factors.

If you’re wanting your personal assistant on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for one day or part of a day then the cost would be $32 per hour paid directly to your assistant at each service.

5. Are your Personal Assistants bonded and insured?
No. Your personal assistant should conduct herself with great care, however, should damage or breakage occur, your personal assistant is expected to work with you to resolve the matter to your satisfaction.

Better By Audrey is a Domestic Referral Agency that outsources personal assisting jobs to independent contractors who are under contract with the referral agency. In some cases, the personal assistants should issue Better By Audrey a 1099 each year. The personal assistants are not employees of the referral agency or the client, as neither side has control over exactly how the work is being performed.