The Reviews Truth Behind the Stars at Destin Housekeeping Services

Truth About One Star Review: On September 10, 2007, I opened Destin Housekeeping Services — the first cleaning company in the Destin area to launch a website. We started with GoDaddy, before software allowed for updates, before “vacation rental cleaning” was even a category people understood. And we’ve been raising the bar ever since.

Over the years, we’ve restored neglected properties, maintained homes for over a decade, and built systems that kept owners stress-free and guests impressed.

But if you scroll through our reviews, you may see a few that don’t reflect the full story. And that’s exactly why this page exists.

💬 Let’s Be Clear:

Some negative reviews aren’t about poor service.
They’re about boundaries — and the fact that I refused to bend them.

These reviews came from:

  • Owners upset we wouldn’t change our payment terms
  • Clients who wanted departure cleans without proper setup
  • Hosts who tested new (cheaper) cleaners, then used DHS to “fix” the problems
  • Properties we restored, then declined to serve without a signed contract
  • Managers who demanded last-minute favors and blamed us when we said no

What We Don’t Do:

  • Chase down unpaid invoices
  • Perform patchwork workarounds
  • Bend our policies for seasonal pressure
  • Accept blame for client mismanagement

What We Do:

  • Create systems that work for properties, guests, and turnover teams
  • Maintain quality control through structure, not chaos
  • Operate with full integrity and zero shortcuts
  • Set professional expectations — and hold to them

A Note About Our 1-Star Yelp Review

Destin Housekeeping Services, LLC

At Destin Housekeeping Services, we’ve spent nearly two decades building a reputation for honesty, excellence, and professionalism. We take pride in showing up, setting clear expectations, and delivering exactly what we promise — nothing more, nothing less.

But unfortunately, not everyone operates with that same standard.

This page sets the record straight regarding a 1-star Yelp review that has been publicly displayed under our company’s name for several years. The review is misleading, damaging, and — most importantly — false.

⚠️ The Real Story Behind the Review

The reviewer, identified as “Skaggs,” claimed we took payment and did not perform services. In reality, we did everything we promised and more. Here’s what really happened:

  • Mrs. Skaggs called our company at 11:30 p.m. in tears, explaining she had been taken advantage of by a fake “contractor” guest who paid up front to stay in her Sandestin property — and then moved in with 20+ contractors and upon their departure the owners cleaning company moved their cleaners inside the home.
  • The home had been completely trashed: broken locks, filthy walls, destroyed bedding, sticky kitchen cabinets, ruined appliances, and overwhelming damage throughout the home.
  • We calmly talked her through the steps to take and made it clear that Sandestin was not in our service area, but we would review the property and help if we could.
  • After walking the property — and finding people still inside — we outlined exactly what services we could offer, and what we would not do due to time and scope.

We never agreed to restore walls, replace furniture, fix broken blinds, or restore damaged upholstery.
We did agree to:

✅ Restore the kitchen (including cabinet interiors and contents)
✅ Clean and organize all bedrooms and bathrooms
✅ Sanitize and clean every mattress and pillow onsite
✅ Dispose of unsalvageable linens and trash
✅ Set up amenities and inventory organization
✅ Assist in sourcing new linens and show her how to make the home rentable again

All for a labor quote of $880.

🧺 What We Delivered

Despite the overwhelming condition of the home, we went above and beyond:

  • We cleaned all linens, sanitized bedding, organized closets, and restored each room to livable condition.
  • We assisted her in selecting appropriate linens and supplies, after discovering she had mistakenly bought pet training pads instead of mattress protectors.
  • We staged all beds and bathrooms with the new linens she purchased.
  • While she stayed at the property, we even:
    • Cleaned bathrooms soiled by her household
    • Rehung linens her family had pulled down
    • Addressed added tasks we never agreed to perform

We did this with integrity — and without complaint.

💬 What Happened Next

When it came time to collect payment for the remainder of the work, Mrs. Skaggs and her husband refused.
Instead, we were met with:

  • A false 1-star Yelp review
  • A misleading Google complaint
  • A claim that we promised full property restoration — which we explicitly said we would not do

The review included our founder’s full legal name, making it personal and defamatory.

And to this day, Yelp continues to display that review publicly — despite multiple requests to remove it and clear documentation showing otherwise.

🚫 Yelp’s Role in This

We have reported this review multiple times.
Yelp has refused to take it down unless we sign up for their paid “Page Upgrade” service.

That is not transparency — that is pay-to-play reputation manipulation.

So we’re stating clearly here:

We have no control over what Yelp displays.
But we do control the integrity of the services we provide.

🧹 Our Message to Future Clients

If you are a host, owner, or investor looking for a cleaning company that will:

✔️ Tell you the truth — not what you want to hear
✔️ Show up and do exactly what they said they’d do
✔️ Protect your property and guest experience with real professionalism

Then you’re in the right place.

We don’t cut corners.
We don’t overpromise.
And we will not let one review speak louder than 17+ years of results.

❤️ Thank You to Our Supporters

To the hundreds of homeowners and managers who continue to work with us — thank you.

To the guests who walk into a clean, guest-ready property season after season — we see you.

And to any cleaner who’s ever been thrown under the bus after doing their best:
You’re not alone.

📞 Request a Quote
🧼 Destin Housekeeping Services, LLC — Since 2007

✨ Final Word:

The only thing I ever took back… was control of the system.
And for that, I earned a few 1-star reviews — from 1-star clients.

If that’s the cost of protecting my name, my team, and my work?

So be it.