A Clean House On Demand?

How an app called Handy is putting the power of a clean home at your fingertips.

There are never enough hours in a day. So, who wants to spend those precious few minutes of free time cleaning? A new cleaning-on-demand app, Handy, is changing the game for busy homeowners. With professional house cleaners and handy professionals at the ready, Handy makes having a clean home as easy as a few taps on your smart phone.

I recently put the app to the test. Out of town guests were due to arrive over the weekend and the house was a mess. With a busy schedule, I knew it was Handy or bust!  Here’s my account of the experience.

The Booking Process

Booking couldn’t be simpler.  I opened the Handy app on my phone, entered my zip code, beds and baths, frequency and selected a date and time for the cleaning. For a regular cleaning every 2 weeks of a two bedroom, two bath home I received a quote of $81. I applied a first time user promotional code and voila, my cleaning was booked!

You can even track your pro’s arrival 15 minutes prior to the scheduled cleaning (just like you can with an Uber driver!)  If he’s a few minutes late, send him a text directly through the app to get his ETA.  You can also easily cancel or reschedule future bookings with a few taps.

It’s more economical to book in a higher frequency, but this could also be a great way for a home seller to make sure their home is always in tip-top shape for showings or open houses.

The Experience

The friendly pro arrived on time with his own supplies in a big blue duffel bag. He started with the kitchen and bathrooms and then tackled dusting and floors. You can add on supplemental items like laundry or a deep-clean of the fridge, but I opted for plain and simple. Three hours later, my house was sparkling clean.

Similar to Uber, Handy screens all of their professionals through background checks, application & interview processes. There’s also a feedback rating system and a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.  All that said, I still chose to stay home for the entire 3-hour window.

Payment is taken care of right through the app and you can choose to add a tip if the professional does an exceptional job.

Other Handy Services

A start-up born out of “being bad at DIY,” according to BBC, Handy offers more than just house cleaning.  Their other on-demand services include offerings like handymen, plumbers, electricians and interior painters. Imagine being able to book a plumber for a leaky faucet with the touch of a button!

All in all, I’ve been pleased with the two cleaning sessions so far. If you’re looking for an easy way to a clean home, Handy may have put the power in your hands.

Victoria Keichinger

Victoria Keichinger is the Vice President, Brand Marketing for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. When she's not managing national media and advertising for the Coldwell Banker brand at work, she finds herself most at home in Jersey City, NJ with her pre-school crush turned spouse and son. A true Francophile, she loves to travel and will go anywhere there are ski slopes.