What to Expect When You're Expecting
…a service from Mansfield Services. Here's how to get ready, what we'll need from you, and what happens on the day.
A little prep makes the whole visit go smoothly
Your service is coming up, and there are a couple of small things that help us do the best possible job while we're there. Typically it only takes a few minutes. Review the short list below that applies to everyone, then jump to your service for the specifics.
Five things to know before we arrive
We confirm the cost with you first
Work never starts without your approval of the cost — either ahead of the appointment or on site when we get there.
Some services need a way in
Unless we've discussed something else, we'll need entry to your home for house cleaning, junk removal, dryer vent cleaning, mini split & heat pump cleaning, and air duct cleaning. Please be home to let whoever is arriving in, or arrange an entry plan with us.
You'll get an on-the-way text
If the phone number you booked with is a cell phone, you'll get a text when we're on the way. If it's a landline, just reply to your reminder email and let us know.
Leave room for one vehicle
Please leave space in the driveway for one vehicle, so the equipment is close to where the work is happening.
Not around that day? No problem
We can carry out most services without you being there. We'll just need a plan for reaching you, so we can go over the service and the cost when we arrive.
Staying safe during an outdoor service
Nobody is outside while an outdoor service is taking place — no people, no pets, no guests, anywhere outside. Not in the yard, not on the deck, not watching from the driveway. This is for your safety as much as it is for the safety of the person carrying out the work. Ladders, moving hoses, and equipment under pressure all need clear space around them.
Move anything you'd rather keep clean or dry at least 30 feet from where the work is happening. Items left inside that range can be caught by the hoses, and the detergents we use can settle on surfaces — on some materials that can leave a stain. We aren't able to take responsibility for items left within 30 feet of the work.
Need to leave while we're there? Make a plan with the person on site as soon as they arrive and let them know the time you'll need to get out, and they'll arrange the work around it so you can come and go safely.
After any service using a detergent, keep children and pets off the cleaned surface for 48 hours. And if a neighbor's property falls within 30 feet of the work, please give them a heads-up before the day.
Click your service to see how to prep
Booked more than one service? Have a look at each of them — the prep is different for each.
Siding Soft Washing
Before we arrive
- Close all windows and doors securely
- Move anything you'd rather keep dry at least 30 feet from the areas being washed — items left inside that range can be caught by the hoses, and detergent settling on them can stain some materials
- Move vehicles clear of the wash area
- Check that your exterior spigots are working — we can't run off an indoor faucet
Please tell us about
- Any loose paint, rot, loose siding, or other damage — we can't take responsibility for worsening a preexisting condition we weren't told about
- Anything delicate around the house you'd like us to work around
Everybody indoors while we're washing — people and pets both. If you'll need to leave at some point, make a plan with the person on site when they arrive and let them know the time, and they'll work around it. We don't require you to shut off power to exterior outlets and fixtures, but we strongly advise it — if exterior power is left on, we aren't able to take responsibility for damage that results.
Pressure Washing, Deck Cleaning & Walkway Washing
Before we arrive
- Move furniture, plants, and other items at least 30 feet from the areas to be washed — detergent can settle on anything left close by, and on some materials that leaves a stain
- Grills on wheels can be rolled aside on the day, so those can stay put
- Move vehicles clear of the wash area
- Check that your exterior spigots are working — a faucet can't be used as our source
Please tell us about
- Any loose paint, rot, loose siding, or other damage around the home — we can't take responsibility for worsening preexisting conditions, but knowing about them helps us avoid making anything worse
Everybody indoors while the work is happening — people and pets both. If you'll need to leave, make a plan with the person on site when they arrive and let them know the time. We don't require you to shut off power to exterior outlets and fixtures, but we strongly advise it — if exterior power is left on, we aren't able to take responsibility for damage that results.
Gutter Cleaning & Gutter Guard Installation
The prep is the same for both — we're working off ladders along the same roofline either way.
Please tell us about
- Any clogs or overspill you already know about
- Any loose gutters
- Whether gutter guards are already installed — if we're not told, the agreed cost covers clearing debris from the top of the guards
- Gutters above the third story, so we bring the right ladders
What the service covers
- Debris is removed so your gutter cleaning leaves them working properly — the inside is not scrubbed out, as this isn't an aesthetic cleaning
- We use a tool to clear the top few feet of the downspout, the most common place for a clog
- Anything above the second story is looked at case by case — uneven ground, bushes, or trees underneath can make a section impossible to reach safely, and anything we can't safely reach is skipped without an adjustment to the service charge
Please make sure the ground below the gutter line is safe and clear enough to carry a ladder through and set it up. There's no need to tidy it — but do move anything you'd rather stay clean, because gutters full of wet debris drip and drop as they're emptied, and whatever is sitting underneath tends to catch it.
Roof Cleaning
Before we arrive
- Close the windows and doors on the building we're treating, and on any structures close by — sheds, garages, porches, anything within reach of the work
- Check that your exterior spigots are working — we can't run off an indoor faucet
- Move anything you'd rather keep dry at least 30 feet from the area below the roofline
Please tell us about
- Sensitive or delicate flowers, bushes, or other landscaping, so we can take proper measures to protect it
- Any gutters that leak, since what runs off the roof will find its way out through them
Everybody indoors while the roof is being treated — people and pets both. If you'll need to leave, make a plan with the person on site when they arrive. We don't require you to shut off power to exterior outlets and fixtures, but we strongly advise it — if exterior power is left on, we aren't able to take responsibility for damage that results.
Window Cleaning
Before we arrive
- Screens need to be removed from every window being cleaned before we get there
- Make sure each window can be reached — windows blocked by furniture, stored items, or anything else in the way may not be able to be cleaned
- Check that your exterior spigots are working — a faucet can't be used as our source
Worth knowing
- This service covers exterior glass, cleaned with our pure-water system
- Pure water dries without leaving anything behind, so there's no residue on the glass or the sills
Solar Panel Cleaning
This one works much like gutter cleaning — we're set up on a ladder at the roofline, directly below wherever the panels are mounted.
Before we arrive
- Make sure the ground below the roofline with the panels on it is safe and clear enough to carry a ladder through and set it up
- Move anything you'd rather keep clean or dry out from under that section of roof — what comes off the panels has to land somewhere
- Check that your exterior spigots are working — a faucet can't be used as our source
Worth knowing
- Panels are cleaned with pure water, so nothing is left behind on the glass
- Bushes, trees, or uneven ground under the panels can make a section impossible to reach safely, and anything we can't safely reach is skipped
Everybody indoors while we're working — people and pets both. If you'll need to leave, make a plan with the person on site when they arrive and let them know the time.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Before we arrive
- Clear off the washing and drying machines, and clear the area around them for equipment access
- You don't need to move your dryer — that's handled on the day, and everything goes back where it belongs
- Having a dryer vent replacement? Please make sure the areas around and under the existing vent are clear for easy access
Please tell us about
- Any issues with your dryer's venting system — we're not able to take responsibility for preexisting conditions or faulty installations
- If the service can't be completed because of blocked access, improper materials, or a vent installation problem, a service fee applies
- Annual and group customers have a reduced rate — ask us to confirm your cost
This one needs entry to your home. Please be there to let whoever is arriving in, or arrange an entry plan with us ahead of time.
Air Duct Cleaning
Before we arrive
- Clear a five-foot-wide path to the furnace so the vacuum can be brought in
- Clear all vents of items — furniture, toys, storage boxes, anything sitting on or in front of them — and make them accessible
Worth knowing
- The work moves between rooms to reach every vent, so an open path through the house helps
- This service needs entry to your home — please be there to let us in, or arrange an entry plan with us
Mini Split Cleaning
Before we arrive
- Clear the access route and the area around the mini split or heat pump, so there's room for a ladder and equipment
- Clear everything out from underneath each unit — furniture, anything hanging on the wall, and anything within a few feet in every direction
Worth knowing
- The area under each unit is a work area for the duration of the service, and needs to stay clear so the work can be done properly
- The system used catches the water, but a little can still splash out, or a hose can come loose from the machine. It's not typical — but anything left in that area does stand a chance of getting wet
- This service needs entry to your home — please be there to let us in, or arrange an entry plan with us
House Cleaning
A few minutes of tidying before your cleaner arrives goes a long way. The more surfaces that are clear when they get there, the more of your time goes into the cleaning itself.
Before your cleaner arrives
- Clear excessive personal items off the surfaces and out of the areas being cleaned — if there's a significant amount left on them, those areas may be skipped, and no discount is given for areas that were not able to be cleaned
- Clear the sink of dishes so the basin and fixtures can be properly scrubbed
- Pick up loose items from the floors — toys, laundry, shoes, cords
- Put valuables and anything irreplaceable somewhere safe
Worth knowing
- Cat litter, litter boxes, and animal waste aren't handled as part of an in-home cleaning — for health and safety reasons they're outside the scope of the service
- A service is considered complete 24 hours after the scheduled service time — any issues need to be reported inside that window, after which the service is final
- Tell us about any off-limits rooms, delicate surfaces, or spots you'd like prioritized
- If you won't be home, let us know the entry plan ahead of time, and secure pets somewhere comfortable and out of the way
Junk Removal
The lifting is taken care of — the items just need to be reachable, and there needs to be a clear way back out of the house.
Before we arrive
- Clear a path to the items — hallways, doorways, stairs, and the driveway all need to be unobstructed
- Disconnect anything still hooked up: appliances unplugged, washers and dryers disconnected, wall-mounted TVs and shelving taken down
- Check drawers, cabinets, and inside furniture beforehand — it's easy to forget something you meant to keep
- Leave room for a vehicle close to the exit you'd like used
- Secure pets so nobody's underfoot while loads are being carried
Please tell us about
- Exactly which items are scheduled for pickup — mark them clearly or set them apart, so there's no guesswork on the day
- Hazardous materials such as paint, solvents, propane tanks, or certain batteries — these can't be taken and need separate disposal
- Anything tricky to get to — a tight stairwell, a narrow doorway, an awkward basement, or a piece that was a struggle to get in there in the first place. Please mention it when you book, and we may ask for a photo or two. It just lets us work out in advance whether we're able to take it on, rather than discovering it on the day
The cost is confirmed with you once the items have been seen, and nothing is taken until you've approved it.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands is an extra pair of hands for the jobs that don't fit neatly into any other service — shifting furniture around the house, loading or unloading, a hand in the garden, or a small project like painting a dresser. Booked by time, and that time starts when we arrive.
Make the most of your time
- Have everything you'd like help with gathered and ready before we get there
- Work out your priority order in advance — most important first, so the essentials are done no matter how the time goes
- Clear the routes we'll be using, and unlock any gates, sheds, or rooms we'll need
- Have any tools, boxes, paint, or materials you'd like used already on hand
Please tell us about
- Everything on your list when you book — some jobs can be taken on and some can't, and it's better to know before the day than to lose time on it
- Anything heavy or awkward that will take more than one pair of hands, so the time is planned properly
- Anything fragile, valuable, or that you'd rather we didn't move
Helping Hands covers general, non-specialist work. Anything requiring a licensed trade — electrical, plumbing, structural — falls outside what can be taken on.
What happens when we get there
You'll get a text when we're on the way, if the number you booked with takes texts. If you've already paid or settled the cost ahead of time, there's nothing left to sort out — we'll get straight to work. Otherwise we'll walk the property, confirm what's being done and what it costs, and get your approval before anything starts. If you're not home, that happens by phone or text using whichever plan we agreed.
When it's finished we'll let you know how it went. If something isn't quite right, tell us within 24 hours and we'll make it right — that's Our Quality Promise, and it applies to every visit.
Questions before your visit
Can I stay outside and watch, or let the dog out?
No. While an outdoor service is taking place, nobody is outside — no people, no pets, no guests, anywhere outside. It's for your safety as much as for the safety of the person doing the work. If you need to leave at some point, make a plan with the person on site as soon as they arrive and let them know the time, and they'll arrange the work around it.
How far do I need to move my things?
Thirty feet from where the work is happening. Items left inside that range can be caught by the hoses, and the detergents we use can settle on surfaces, which stains some materials. We aren't able to take responsibility for items left within 30 feet of the work. Grills on wheels are the exception — if it's easily moved it can be rolled aside on the day.
Do I need to be home for my service?
For most services, no. We can carry out the work without you being there, as long as we have a way to reach you so we can go over the service and cost when we arrive. House cleaning, junk removal, dryer vent cleaning, air duct cleaning, and mini split cleaning are the exceptions — those need entry to your home, so either be there to let whoever is arriving in, or arrange an entry plan with us beforehand.
Do I have to turn the power off for exterior work?
It isn't a requirement, but we strongly advise shutting off power to exterior outlets and fixtures before any washing service. If exterior power is left on, we aren't able to take responsibility for damage that results.
Why do you need a working outdoor spigot?
The equipment runs off an exterior water source, and an indoor faucet can't be used to supply it. If your outdoor spigots aren't working, let us know before the visit so we can plan around it rather than finding out on the day.
What if I have something delicate around the house?
Tell us and we'll work around it. Sensitive flowers, bushes, and landscaping, loose paint, rot, loose siding, leaking gutters — all of it is worth mentioning in advance. We aren't able to take responsibility for worsening a preexisting condition we weren't told about, and knowing ahead of time lets us take proper measures to protect it.
Will I know the cost before you start?
Yes. Work never starts without your approval of the cost, either ahead of the appointment or on site when we arrive. If you've already settled it in advance, we'll simply get started.
When does the clock start on a Helping Hands booking?
On arrival. Helping Hands is booked by time, so the more you can stage beforehand — everything gathered in one place, priorities decided, routes clear — the more of that time goes into the work rather than into getting set up.
All the services we offer
Pressure & Soft Washing
Safely lift dirt, mold, and grime from siding, decks, and walkways.
Learn more →Gutter Cleaning
Clear, free-flowing gutters that protect your roof and foundation.
Learn more →Gutter Guard Installation
Cut down on clogs and spend less time on the ladder.
Learn more →Roof Cleaning
Gentle soft washing that lifts black streaks, moss, and lichen.
Learn more →Window Cleaning
Streak-free exterior glass with our pure-water system.
Learn more →Solar Panel Cleaning
Clear panels absorb more sunlight and produce more power.
Learn more →House Cleaning
Recurring, deep, and move-in/move-out cleaning for a fresh home.
Learn more →Dryer Vent Cleaning
Improve airflow and cut a real home fire risk.
Learn more →Air Duct Cleaning
Fresher air and a cleaner-running HVAC system.
Learn more →Junk Removal
Single-item and small-load pickups, hauled off and handled for you.
Learn more →Mini Split Cleaning
Deep-clean heat pump heads for cleaner, efficient air.
Learn more →Still have a question about your visit?
Call or text and talk to a real person — we'd rather sort it out now than on the day.
Your home services, all in one simple place
We're building a customer portal so booking, paying, and staying in the loop takes seconds — no phone tag, no paperwork. Here's a peek at what's on the way.
Simple tools that put your service in your pocket — all on the way.
Book & reschedule online
Pick from real open times and lock in your visit in seconds — no back-and-forth calls.
Pay in a tap
Scan a code or tap a link straight from your invoice email — no logins, no hassle.
Know when we're coming
Arrival windows and an on-the-way text so you're never left guessing.
Approve estimates & e-sign
Review your options and sign right from your phone — no printing, no scanning.
Your photos & documents
Before-and-afters, signed estimates, and receipts — all saved in one tidy place.
Your full service history
Every visit, invoice, and note in one timeline so nothing gets lost.
A family-owned Vermont company you can trust
Mansfield Services is a family-owned home services company based in Underhill, Vermont. What started as a small local operation has grown into Vermont's highest-rated home services company, trusted by homeowners and businesses across Chittenden, Lamoille and Franklin Counties. We built this company on doing careful, honest work and treating every property like it's our own — and we back it up with our Quality Promise on every visit.
When you call Mansfield Services, you're working with a real local team that shows up, does what we say, and stands behind it. That's how we've earned a -star rating across 345 Google reviews, and it's how we plan to keep it.
