You’re about to let a stranger into your home to touch your stuff. Don’t pick the first ad you see or the cheapest bid. A little homework now saves you headaches, stolen jewelry, or a half-assed scrub job later.
Before You Search
Know exactly what you want done before you ask for help. Write a list: which rooms, how often, any special requests like inside the fridge or windows. This stops you from getting upsold on things you don’t need. Also decide if you want a solo operator or a company with a crew. Solo is cheaper and more personal. Crews are faster and have backup if someone calls sick. Neither is better — just different trade-offs.
Vetting Candidates
Ask for proof of insurance and bonding. If they can’t produce it in five minutes, walk. Liability insurance covers damage to your stuff. Bonding covers theft. Don’t skip this. Then ask for three recent references and actually call them. Ask if the crew arrived on time, if they followed instructions, and if anything went missing. Red flags: vague answers, no fixed address, or a phone number that’s always voicemail. Trust your gut. If a person feels off during a thirty-second phone call, imagine how they’ll act in your home.
Getting Quotes
Invite two or three candidates to your place for a walkthrough. Tell them exactly what’s on your list. A flat rate per visit is better than hourly because hourly rewards slow work. If they quote hourly, ask for a time estimate and what happens if they go over. Get everything in writing — no exceptions. Most honest people will give you a firm price after seeing the dirt. Anyone who quotes over the phone sight unseen is guessing, and you’ll pay for their guesswork.
Before You Sign
Read the contract for cancellation policy, what’s excluded (many won’t do ceiling fans or window tracks), and how much notice they need to reschedule. Watch for automatic renewal clauses that lock you in. Also confirm your access plan — do they need a key, a garage code, or will you be home? Finally, do a trial run. Book them once for a deep clean. If that goes well, commit to a schedule. If not, you’ve only wasted one visit instead of a year.
Now take these questions and go compare local cleaning services on RatingsNearMe.