UCB Parents Recommendations
Hispanic Referral Services (formerly, Manos)
Advice and recommendations from the UCB Parents mailing list.
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Tamara 9/99
I am looking for information on Manos Housecleaning Service.
Is it a non-profit organization which refers individuals who
typically do not speak English? I am unclear as to what
their actual situation is.
I would prefer to get a housecleaner from their organization
if it helps out people who are looking for work. Yet, I am
slightly unsure about hiring someone who I don't know, or
has not come from a personal referral.
So, if someone can vouch for this organization or offer
information I would greatly appreciate it.
Trish 9/99
Manos has changed their name and now go by Hispanic Referral Services
(534-8780). I have used their services for housecleaning, heavy
gardening,
and painting and have been very happy. The people we have hired have
been
very hardworking and congenial. Their rates start at $10/hr., with a
four
hour minimum, for cleaners and general gardeners. Skilled workers
(painters and carpenters) get a few more dollars per hour.
Linda 9/99
I have used Manos in the past and like to support them. They've been
around
for a long, long time, so must be doing something right. It is true
that the
level of English among the workers can vary drastically, but the
company
supplies you with an English/Spanish checklist you can use to specify
what
you want done. With one exception, I was very happy with the work and
the
attitude of everyon at Manos. Since I can't afford regular
housekeeper, I
have called Manos from time to time for a one=time cleaning as a gift
to
myself. Normally, however, I think the idea is for you to find
someone
you'll latch onto on a more permanent basis. You can keep specifying
the
same person or keep trying new cleaners. Manos seems to appreciate
feedback,
and they train their people before sending them out. The one person I
didn't
like didn't seem to have any training at all, but this was the
exception.
She was also the only one to suggest that next time I call her
directly, off
the books of Manos. I don't know whether this was legit or not, since
I
didn't wan't her back at all.
9/99
Manos' referrals usually do not speak English, but they come with a
checklist
in English and spanish so it usually isn't a problem to communicate
what you
want cleaned and how many hours you are willing to pay for. Manos
trains
their referrals pretty throroughly, so they are familiar with a wide
range of
cleaning products and what is expected. I've found they've been very
reliable, are eager to please and work hard, because they would like
to be
invited back, but the quality does vary.
The opinions and statements expressed on this page
are those of parents who belong to the
UC Berkeley Parents Network and
should not be taken as a position of or endorsement by the
University of California, Berkeley.