Girl Friday Errands - Tips and Information

FAQ

We've put together a list of frequently asked questions, from pricing to hours. At Girl Friday, we believe that knowing everything in advance will help you feel more comfortable with us. If you have more questions that aren't listed below, just ask! Or better yet, call us for a free one-on-one conversation, once you meet us, you will get a feeling for how caring and professional we really are! At Girl Friday, we are here to help.

TIP: Click the boxes below to expand each category.

  • Payment Information

    What are your rates?

    Our rates are charged hourly between $39-$45/hour per helper (with a discount for seniors) plus GST. For our driving services we charge by our hourly rates (plus a small fuel surcharge) for local rides, or flat fee for further distances.

    Do you have a minimum rate that you charge?

    Our minimum requirement for any household & cleaning/organizing services is 2 hours every 2 weeks, 3 hours every 4 weeks and 1 hour for errand and driving services.

    What forms of payment do you accept?

    We accept cheques or bank etransfer and credit card (may be subject to additional fees and min. charge), payable in full at the end of each visit.

    Should I be leaving a tip?

    While it's always a nice form of recognition for a job well done, tipping is completely your choice. Some clients tip a little bit every time, some tip bigger amounts at Christmas or a few times a year, and some don't tip at all. Whatever you feel comfortable with!

  • Visit Information

    How many team members do you bring in?

    We’re about relationship building, so we find that in most cases one helper is the best for you and your home. For larger homes (5+ hours) or one time cleans, we may have a team of two come in.

    Is it okay if I’m not home? Is it okay if I am?

    Yes. We are fine if you stay or if you go, as long as you’ve made arrangements for gaining access to your home and have left instructions for when we leave (hide key, keep key, set alarm, etc.). If you would like to stay in the home that’s completely fine as well—we are very good at working around people and will try our best to not get in your way!

    How do I add extra time onto my normal visit?

    If you’d like to add extra time for one visit (for spring cleaning or a bit of extra help one day) it’s best to give the office a call at 604-240-3602 and we would be happy to help you.

    What if I need to change my scheduled visit?

    If you need to change your visit day for whatever reason, give the office a call at 604-240-3602 and we will try our best to accommodate your needs. As we’re a small team, your normal helper may not be available on your revised visit date and/or time. If this is the case, we do have other staff that would be happy to help you for one visit.

    What if I need to cancel a visit?

    To avoid a late cancellation or missed appointment fee (50% of the visit cost) we ask that you contact the main office at 604-240-3602 with at least 24 hours’ notice.

    What if my visit falls on a statutory holiday?

    As we are closed on all stat holidays, our policy is to reschedule you to the next available time in your helper’s schedule, or with one of our other team members.

  • Service Information

    What hours are you open?

    We are open Monday – Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm. We are closed for all weekends and stat holidays (sometimes some staff are available on weekends for move in/out cleans, if pre-arranged).

    As our team members work hard year round and the holidays are an important time to be with family, our entire office closes for 2 weeks at Christmas. We do sometimes have staff members who choose to work over this time, available on a “first come” basis.

    Are you Insured and Bonded?

    Yes. We are fully WCB covered, bonded and insured. All of our drivers are appropriately licensed.

    Is there anything you don't you do?

    We offer a wide variety of household, cleaning, errand and driving services, with a very limited list of “no we don’t” items. However, there are a few things we feel are better left for the pros (like painting, carpet cleaning & high window washing). For these we’ve created a great resource list of preferred companies under our “Quick Tips & Info” section.

    I have pets, is that okay?

    Yes of course. Our company is very pet friendly and we are used to working around them. We would ask that our team is informed of the pet’s name and any temperamental issues.

    Do you provide dog services (i.e. walking)?

    If we are already in your home helping you out, we’d be happy to take your pet out as well (or do a quick puppy “check in”). If you are looking for pet visits or dog walking only, we will refer you to Lisa at Pet Playland under our “Quick Tips & Info” section.

  • Cleaning

    Do you supply the cleaning products?

    We provide eco-friendly cleaning products that work great and are safe for all kids, pets and other loved ones. The only thing we ask clients to supply is the dusters (we prefer Swiffer dusters and can pick up and bill separately for, if preferred).

    Do I need to have a vacuum cleaner?

    If you have a vacuum we would prefer to use yours, as we do not want to cause cross-contamination. However we also have company vacuums available if needed.

    Will I always get the same cleaner?

    If you have a recurring scheduled visit, we like to send the same helper so they get to know you and your home. If they are on holidays, or occasionally away sick, we try our best to find you a replacement during your scheduled time. If that is not possible, we will contact you with some alternative times either on the same day or same week of your visit. If a “fill in” helper is sent, they will have been fully briefed on your needs & priorities before your visit.

    What do I need to do to prepare for my visit?

    Absolutely nothing, our friendly staff members will take care of you.

  • Driving

    What kind of vehicle do you have?

    We have a few different vehicles we use, though we mostly drive a small SUV or a SmartCar. We also have a Toyota Corolla or Volvo Station Wagon available upon request.

    Please let us know at time of booking of any mobility issues, so we can choose the right vehicle for your needs.

    Are your vehicles disability approved?

    Our vehicles do not have disability ramps or lifts, so you will need to be able to stand to get in and out of the vehicle. We do have many clients that use a walker or wheelchair for assistance, which can easily be folded and placed into our cars.

    If you have a disability parking permit, we recommend bringing it with you so that we can get you as close to your destination as possible.

    Do you have the appropriate licenses and insurance?

    Yes, all of our drivers have full class 5 licenses and the appropriate insurance, so you can ride easy knowing we will safely get you where you need to go.