Letting someone into your home requires trust. Before hiring a cleaning service, it’s essential to know the right questions to ask so you can protect your home and belongings here.
The most important questions to ask a cleaning service include whether they are insured and bonded, how they screen employees, what their pricing covers, and if they provide a satisfaction guarantee.
These questions help you identify a company that is professional, transparent, and accountable. Below are the top 10 questions to ask before hiring a cleaning service, along with the answers you should expect from a trustworthy provider.
Questions About Trust and Safety
These first questions are non-negotiable and form the foundation of a safe and professional relationship. They separate legitimate, accountable businesses from risky operators. A trustworthy company will have immediate and confident answers for every point in this section.
1. Are You Insured and Bonded?
A professional cleaning service must be insured and bonded. This is the most critical question because it protects you from financial risk. Insurance covers any accidental damage to your property and liability for injuries to their staff while in your home. Bonding protects you from loss in the rare case of employee theft.
A Professional’s Answer: “Yes, we are fully insured and bonded. We can provide our certificate of insurance upon request.”
2. How Do You Screen and Train Your Employees?
A good company performs background checks on all employees and has a formal employee training program. The people cleaning your home must be trustworthy and competent. Vetting a cleaning company properly means understanding their hiring and training standards. A commitment to rigorous background checks shows they prioritize your safety, while a structured training program ensures their team knows how to clean effectively and professionally.
A Professional’s Answer: “Every team member undergoes a national background check before hiring. They also complete our comprehensive training program, which covers cleaning techniques, safety protocols, and professional conduct.”
Questions About Service and Logistics
Once you’ve established that a company is safe and trustworthy, these questions clarify the day-to-day details of the service. Getting clear answers here helps align expectations and prevents future misunderstandings about what the service includes and how it operates.
3. How Do You Price Your Services, and What’s Included?
Pricing should be clear and upfront, with a detailed checklist of included tasks. You need to understand if you are paying a flat rate or an hourly fee to avoid hidden costs. Ask what a “standard” cleaning includes and which services, like deep cleaning, cost extra.
A Professional’s Answer: “We provide a flat-rate quote based on your home’s size. Our standard cleaning includes dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchen surfaces. We provide a checklist so you know exactly what to expect.”
4. Who Provides the Cleaning Supplies and Equipment?
A professional service provides its own cleaning supplies and equipment. This is a matter of both convenience and quality. A professional company will use professional-grade products. This is also the right time to discuss any allergies or preferences you have, such as a request for green cleaning products.
A Professional’s Answer: “We bring all our own professional-grade supplies and equipment. If you prefer we use your specific products for any reason, we can usually accommodate that.”
5. Will the Same Cleaner or Team Be Sent for Each Visit?
A reputable service will try to assign a dedicated person or team to your home. Consistency is crucial for a high-quality service. When the same team cleans your home regularly, they become familiar with your space and preferences, which leads to better results.
A Professional’s Answer: “We prioritize consistency and assign a dedicated team to your home. If your regular cleaner is unavailable, we send another fully trained staff member who has been briefed on your specific cleaning plan.”
Questions About Policies and Guarantees
A company’s policies show how it handles problems and unexpected situations. These questions reveal their commitment to accountability and customer satisfaction, which is just as important as the quality of the cleaning itself.
6. What Is Your Satisfaction Guarantee?
A professional company will have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This is what to look for in a cleaner who is confident in their work. A guarantee shows the company is committed to customer happiness and will take responsibility for fixing any issues.
A Professional’s Answer: “We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with any part of the cleaning, please call us within 24 hours, and we will return to re-clean the area at no charge.”
7. How Do You Handle Accidental Damage or Breakage?
Through a formal, documented claims process covered by their business insurance. Accidents are rare, but a professional company will have a clear process for reporting damage and will use its insurance to cover the cost of repairs or replacements.
A Professional’s Answer: “Our teams are trained to be extremely careful, but we are fully insured for any accidental damage. We have a simple claims process to document the issue and resolve it quickly.”
8. How Do You Manage Access to My Home (Keys/Codes)?
With a secure and anonymous key management system. A professional service should have a system where your key is labeled with an anonymous code, never your name or address, and stored in a secure lockbox.
A Professional’s Answer: “We use a secure key management system where keys are coded and stored in a lockbox. We can also work with garage codes or smart locks.”
9. What Is Your Cancellation or Rescheduling Policy?
The policy should be clear and allow for changes with reasonable notice. Knowing the process for changing an appointment and any potential fees is an important part of how to hire a maid service. A good company will be understanding but will also have a clear policy to protect its cleaners’ schedules.
A Professional’s Answer: “We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule to avoid a fee. You can manage your bookings through our online portal or by calling our office.”
10. Can You Provide Reviews and References?
A reputable company will proudly provide reviews and references. Past performance is a strong indicator of future results. A long history of positive, verifiable reviews shows they have a track record of satisfying customers consistently over time and are confident in their service quality.
A Professional’s Answer: “Absolutely. You can find hundreds of our client reviews on Google and Yelp. We are proud of our reputation and encourage you to see what our customers have to say.”
Now You’re Ready to Choose the Right Team
Hiring a cleaning service is an act of trust, and you have a right to be selective. By asking these questions, you take control of the process and choose a service with confidence. You are now equipped to identify a professional, accountable company that will respect your home and provide excellent service.
At Katie’s Cleaning Service, we believe in this transparency and are prepared to answer every one of these questions with confidence, proving we are the right partner for your home. If you need expert cleaning services near you, call us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Ask Before Hiring a Cleaner?
Ask about their insurance, employee screening, pricing, supplies, and satisfaction guarantee. This guide covers the top 10 questions to help you hire a trustworthy and professional service.
How Do I Know if a Cleaning Company Is Trustworthy?
A trustworthy company is transparent. Look for proof of insurance, positive reviews, and professional policies for handling your keys and property.
Should I Hire an Independent Cleaner or a Company?
A professional company provides protections like insurance, bonding, and background checks. This protects you from liability and ensures reliable service.
What Does It Mean if a Company Is “Bonded and Insured”?
“Insured” protects you from liability for injuries or damage. “Bonded” protects you from employee theft. Both are critical for your financial safety.
What if I’m Not Happy With the Cleaning?
A professional cleaning service should have a satisfaction guarantee. If you report an issue within 24 hours, they should send a team back to re-clean the area at no extra cost.
