Your first recurring clean sets the baseline for everything that follows. Here is exactly what happens — from the moment we arrive to the moment we leave — and what we need from you to make it work.
Before the day — what we ask of you
- Confirm date and time the day before
- Confirm access — key, code, or in person
- Flag any allergies, sensitivities, or special surfaces
- 30 min of pre-prep (clear surfaces, lift small rugs, run dishwasher)
- Note any priorities for the day — what you most want focus on
The day — what we do
- Arrival. On time. With all our own equipment.
- 2-minute walkthrough. Confirm priorities, flag anything new since the walkthrough quote.
- Work room by room. Standard sequence: kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living, floors.
- Mid-visit photo. We send a quick “halfway” photo so you know we are on track.
- Final walkthrough. Before we leave, we walk through with you (or message you a final photo).
- Invoice on departure. Payment by card or bank transfer within 48 hours.
First visit — the numbers
First visit
2-2.5 hr
Slightly longer than ongoing
Subsequent visits
1.5-2 hr
Once baseline is established
Walkthrough
2 min
At start and end of every visit
Time on site
For a 3-bedroom Wangaratta home on a fortnightly schedule, the first visit is usually 2-2.5 hours. The first visit is slightly longer than ongoing ones because we are addressing the baseline (months of build-up) before maintenance.
Subsequent visits drop to 1.5-2 hours as the home stays maintained.
“First visit was 2 hours 20 minutes. Hamish photographed the work, walked me through, and left an invoice. Most professional cleaning experience I’ve had.”
— Sarah W, Wangaratta · First-time recurring customer
What you’ll see after the first visit
- Kitchen visibly fresher — benches, sink, range hood front polished
- Bathrooms reset — basins, taps, shower screens, toilets
- Floors fully vacuumed and mopped (often the most visible single change)
- Beds made (linen changed if you provided fresh)
- Bins emptied, fresh liners
- A faint clean smell that lasts 24-48 hours
Ready when you are
Ready for your first visit?
Free walkthrough. Same owner-operator every visit. Insured.
What’s NOT done on the first visit
The first recurring visit is a maintenance clean, not a deep clean. The following items are not in scope:
- Inside the oven, dishwasher, fridge
- Range hood filters
- Behind appliances
- Inside cupboards or drawers
- Grout treatment
- Windows
- Ceiling fans and light fittings
If your home has not had a deep clean in 12+ months, consider booking one before starting recurring — that resets the baseline and makes the recurring visits more effective from day one.
Three phases of the first visit
ARRIVAL
5 min
Walkthrough + setup
Confirm priorities, flag anything new, equipment in.
CLEAN
2-2.5 hr
Room by room
Standard sequence: kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living, floors.
WRAP-UP
5 min
Walkthrough + photo
Final walkthrough with you, photos of completed work, invoice on departure.
What we’ll ask you after the visit
- Was anything missed?
- Are there priority adjustments for next visit?
- Are you happy with the time on site?
- Any new sensitivities or surface changes since the walkthrough?
Honest feedback after the first visit dramatically improves visit 2 onwards. We adjust the routine based on what you tell us.
Request a free quote or call 0493 295 032.
“Worth doing the 30-min pre-prep. The cleaner spent the entire time actually cleaning, not picking up after my morning.”
— Tom B, Beechworth · Fortnightly customer
Three things to do before we arrive
CONFIRM ACCESS
1 min
Key, code, or in person
Sort access the day before. Avoid morning-of scrambles.
PRE-PREP
30 min
Clear surfaces
Eliminates 10-15 small moves per surface. Saves real cleaning time.
NOTE PRIORITIES
2 min
Top 3 focus items
Helps us re-weight time. Be specific.
First-visit ready checklist
- ✓Date and time confirmed
- ✓Access arrangement set
- ✓30 min of pre-prep done (clear surfaces, run dishwasher)
- ✓Allergies/sensitivities flagged
- ✓Special surfaces flagged (natural stone, vintage tapware)
- ✓Pet plan decided
- ✓Priorities for the day noted (top 3)
- ✓Payment method ready (card or bank transfer details)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the first visit longer?+
Months of accumulated baseline to address. Subsequent visits are 30-45 min shorter once maintenance kicks in.
Should I be home for the first visit?+
Recommended — for the walkthrough. After visit 1, optional.
Will the cleaner judge my home?+
No. We see every type of home. Nothing surprises us. Our job is to clean, not assess.
What if I’m not happy with the first visit?+
Tell us within 48 hours. We return and address it, no charge. Or cancel — no obligation.
Should I book a deep clean before recurring?+
If the home has not had a deep clean in 12+ months, yes — that resets the baseline. Recurring visits will be more effective.
How much should I tip?+
Tipping is not expected. A Google review is more valuable to us than cash.
Will the cleaner break anything?+
Highly unlikely — we are insured. If we damage anything, we let you know immediately and replace it.
Can I be home and still let you work?+
Yes — most clients are. Just stay out of the room we are working in to avoid slowing the visit.
Sources & further reading
- Consumer guarantees on services Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- Cleaning the home — Better Health Channel Victorian Department of Health
- Indoor air quality at home — guidance Australian Government Department of Health
- Reducing your home energy bills Australian Government — Department of Climate Change, Energy
- Indoor allergens and asthma triggers Asthma Australia
Ready when you are
Ready for the First Recurring Visit?
Free quote. No obligation. Wangaratta + 90 towns across Northeast Victoria.
