Guide
Questions to ask a cleaning company before you hire
Eight questions that show how clearly a cleaning business has thought through the way it works. Most of them can be asked in a single phone call, and the answers matter more than the price.
Before the quote
Who will actually be in my house, and will it be the same person each time? Continuity is most of what makes a regular clean work, because the second visit is usually better than the first and the tenth is better again.
Are you insured, and can I see the certificate? One page, one minute. See the guide on insurance and DBS checks for what to look for on it.
How long have your cleaners been with you? Long-serving staff usually point to a business that looks after its people, which is worth more than a small difference in the hourly rate.
About the work itself
What is on the list, and what is not? Most regular cleans leave out the inside of the oven, and it helps to know that from the first visit.
Do you bring products and equipment? Both answers are fine. Only one of them means you need to keep a cupboard stocked.
What happens if I am not happy with a visit? A good answer is a specific one: tell us within a day or two and we will come back. That is a policy you can rely on.
About the arrangement
What notice do you need for a cancellation, and do you charge for a late one? Almost every company charges for a same-day cancellation and it is entirely reasonable. It should be said at the start.
What happens when my cleaner is ill or on holiday? A sole trader will tell you honestly that the visit does not happen, which is a fair answer. A company should be able to say who covers.
What the answers tell you
None of these is a trick question and none has a single right answer. What they show is how clearly the business has thought through the way it works, and a clear arrangement is what keeps visits regular and conversations easy.
A business that answers all eight without hesitating has had them asked before, which is itself the most useful thing you learn.
Common questions
Should I ask for references?
For a regular cleaner who will hold a key, yes, and ask how long that customer has used them. Length of relationship says more than enthusiasm.
Is a home visit before quoting a good sign?
For one-off work, strongly. Nobody can price a deep clean or an end of tenancy clean accurately from a room count, and a visit lets the company give a firm price that will not need revising.
What if they want payment up front?
A deposit on a large one-off job is normal. Full payment is normally made once the work is done.