To maintain the health and safety of our cleaning associates and customers, Birch strictly adheres to the following policies. By agreeing to work with Birch, you are also agreeing to the following policies.

To maintain the safety of our cleaning associates and customers, Birch implements the following policies on all cleanings:

1. Keep all pets in safe areas away from cleaning associates.

   • Some of our associates might be afraid of your pets, and pets might act differentially towards our staff vs you or your friends. Even the friendliest of pets need to be kept outside, in a room or otherwise in another part of the house. Also, there is the possibility of a pet escaping while we are retrieving equipment, so for the animals sake it is much safer to keep them locked up.

2. Please move furniture before we arrive.

   • For the safety of our associates they are not allowed to move furniture other than small items up to 10lbs and chairs. Moving of tables, couches, or other furniture is strictly prohibited.

3. Cleaning items out of arms reach.

   • We do not allow cleaning associates to use ladders or stand on chairs. The risk of falling is too great. Lighting fixtures that are high, chandeliers, paintings, or shelves that cannot be easily reached cannot be cleaned.

4. Biohazards, Environmental toxins, and Construction sites

   • Our cleaning associates do not work in areas that could be considered biohazards (bodily fluids, dead animals, crime scenes) and could be exposed to diseases or illness. They are also not allowed to work were chemicals have been spilled or have airborne contaminates. We also do not clean ongoing construction sites, natural disaster areas, or areas with significant structural damage (flooding, fire, etc.).

5. Trash Removal

   • Other than removing the items that we used to perform our cleaning, we do not remove trash, leaves, debris, furniture, or chemicals (paints, oil, etc).

6. Onsite Payment

   • All payments are handled via invoice or through your online account with a card on file. Our cleaning associates will never ask for payment and we do not accept checks. Please let us know if you get asked for payment onsite. Collecting payment or accepting “side jobs” can result in immediate termination of the associate.

7. Storing Valuables

   • We ask that all clients store their valuables in safe storage areas, put all cash away, keep jewelry locked up, and keep weapons locked in safes.

8. Absentee Cleanings

   • If you will not be present during a cleaning we will take 50% of the cleaning fee up front, and 50% upon leaving. If there is a dispute about the quality of a cleaning we can revisit your site and address any discrepancies. Non-payment for services is not an option.

9. Utilities

   • If utilities such as electric or water are not turned on, we need to know prior to scheduling or showing up. This can significantly alter our ability to perform cleaning services. If our cleaners show up and cannot perform their duties clients we will try to reschedule. If rescheduling is declined we will not be refunding the 50% up front reservation fee.

10. Safe Cleaning Distance

    • For the safety of our cleaning associates we ask that residents and client staff maintain a safe distance from our associates so that they may safely perform their duties. We recommend a minimum distance of 10 feet to avoid accidents related to cleaning such as spraying of cleaning agents, slipping, contact with cleaning equipment or physical contact with our associates. If our associates feel they are in an unsafe space they will call the home office for assistace.