How to choose a house cleaning company: 10 questions to ask first

Most people pick a cleaner by price or by a friend's tip. Both are fine places to start. But the questions below show how a company works when something goes wrong, and that is what you are really paying for.

Trust and safety

1. 1Are your cleaners background-checked? Ask who does the checks and how often.
2. 2Are you insured? Ask for liability insurance that covers damage in your home. Ask if workers are covered if someone is hurt on the job.
3. 3Are cleaners employees or contractors? Either can work. Employees usually mean more training and more control over quality.
4. 4How do you store keys and door codes? You want a clear answer: who can see them, and where keys are kept between visits.

Who shows up

5. 5Will I get the same cleaners every time? Some companies send whoever is free. The same team learns your home and your preferences.
6. 6What happens when my cleaner is sick or on vacation? Ask how a replacement or a different date is agreed with you, who will come, and how your home instructions reach that person.

Price and promises

7. 7How do you set the price? Hourly and flat-rate pricing both work. What matters is that you see the full price before you book.
8. 8When am I charged? Paying after the clean is done is the norm for many companies.
9. 9What if I am not happy? Look for a clear window to report a problem, and a free fix.
10. 10Is there a contract or cancellation fee? Know how much notice you need to give to skip or cancel a visit.

Red flags

• No proof of insurance when you ask
• A price that changes once the team arrives
• No way to reach a real person on the day
• Different cleaners every visit with no notice

How we answer these

You can read our answer to each of these questions on our questions and answers page. If something is not covered there, ask us before you book.