You’re handing someone the keys to your house. Maybe literally. That’s not a small thing, and yet most people book a cleaning service the same way they order takeout: quick scroll, good reviews, done.

That works out fine most of the time. But “most of the time” isn’t good enough when we’re talking about your home, your stuff, and your money. A few smart questions up front save you from a world of hassle down the line.

Here’s what to actually ask before you hire a cleaner, and why each one matters more than it sounds.

1. Are You Insured and Bonded?

This is the big one. If a cleaner breaks a $2,000 vase or a bonded employee walks off with your jewelry, insurance and bonding are what get you made whole. No coverage means you’re stuck eating the loss yourself.

Any legitimate cleaning service will answer this instantly, no hemming and hawing. If they hesitate or seem confused by the question, that’s your answer right there.

2. Do You Run Background Checks on Your Employees?

You’re letting a stranger into your home, often while you’re not there. A company that skips background checks is gambling with your safety to save a few bucks on screening.

Ask specifically what the check covers: criminal history, identity verification, references. “We check everyone” isn’t really an answer.

3. Do You Bring Your Own Supplies and Equipment?

This affects both convenience and cost. Some services bring everything; others expect you to stock cleaning products and a vacuum. Neither approach is wrong, but you need to know which one you’re getting before the quote.

If you have allergies, pets, or just strong opinions about chemical cleaners versus natural ones, this is also the moment to say so.

4. How Do You Handle Damage or Breakage?

Accidents happen even with careful cleaners. What matters is whether the company owns up to it. Ask what their process looks like: Do they report it themselves? Is there a claims process? How fast do they resolve it?

A company with a clear answer here has clearly dealt with this before, which is reassuring, not alarming.

5. What’s Included in a Standard Cleaning?

“Cleaning” means different things to different companies. Some standard packages skip baseboards, inside the fridge, or window sills. Others include them automatically.

Get a written checklist if you can. Vague scope is where price disputes come from later.

6. Is Deep Cleaning Priced Separately?

Your first cleaning is usually going to cost more than your regular ones, especially if it’s been a while since the place got a real scrub. Ask upfront whether deep cleaning is a separate line item or bundled into your recurring cleaning plan.

This is one of those questions that saves you from an awkward surprise on the invoice.

7. Will the Same Person or Team Clean My Home Each Time?

Consistency matters more than people expect. A cleaner who’s been in your home before knows your quirks: that the cat door sticks, that you don’t want the office touched, that the good china stays in the cabinet.

Rotating strangers means re-explaining everything, every single time.

8. What’s Your Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy?

Life happens. You might need to push a cleaning back or cancel last minute. Some companies charge a fee for short-notice changes; others are flexible. Know this before you’re in a bind, not during it.

9. How Do You Handle Payment and Pricing Changes?

Ask exactly how pricing works: flat rate, hourly, per room, or per square foot. Ask whether prices can change without notice and how far in advance you’d be told. This is less exciting than the other questions, but it’s the one that protects your wallet long-term.

10. Can You Provide References or Recent Reviews?

Reviews online are a start, but a company confident in its work will happily point you toward recent, specific feedback, not just a five-star average buried in hundreds of ratings. Ask for something recent, within the last few months if possible.

The Real Takeaway

None of these questions are meant to put a cleaner on trial. They’re meant to filter out the companies that can’t, or won’t, answer them clearly. A good cleaning service treats these questions as completely normal, because they get asked them all the time.

If you get vague answers, deflection, or annoyance at being asked, that tells you everything you need to know before you ever hand over a key.

Ready to skip the guesswork? Get a free quote from Angels In Pink Cleaning and see how it feels to ask a company these questions and actually like the answers.