What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Cleaning Service?

**Hiring a cleaning service should make your life easier—not leave you wondering what to expect. Before allowing a cleaning team into your home, it is important to understand how the company operates, what is included, and how it protects its clients.

The right questions can help you compare companies fairly, prevent misunderstandings, and choose a cleaning team you can trust.

Before hiring a cleaning service, ask whether the company is insured and bonded, how its cleaners are screened and trained, what is included in each service, and whether the company provides its own supplies.

You should also ask about pricing, arrival times, cancellations, quality concerns, pets, special requests, and how your home will be accessed. A professional company should answer these questions clearly before you schedule your cleaning.

Is the Cleaning Company Insured and Bonded?

This should be one of your first questions. Insurance and bonding provide an added layer of protection for both the homeowner and the cleaning company. Although everyone hopes a cleaning appointment goes smoothly, accidents can happen in any home.

A professional company should be willing to explain whether it carries appropriate coverage. Be cautious if a cleaner avoids the question or cannot provide a clear answer.

Olivia’s Cleaning Services is insured and bonded, helping clients feel more comfortable when welcoming our team into their homes.

How Are the Cleaners Screened and Trained?

Cleaning skill matters, but trust matters just as much. Ask whether cleaners are employees or independent contractors, how they are selected, and whether background checks are completed. You should also find out how new cleaners are trained before they begin working in clients’ homes.

Useful questions include:

• Are team members background-checked?
• Do cleaners receive hands-on training?
• Is there a supervisor or team leader?
• How does the company maintain consistent quality?
• Are cleaners trained to handle different surfaces safely?

Olivia’s Cleaning Services uses trained, background-checked team members. Our teams typically include two to five cleaners, depending on the size and needs of the home.

What Type of Cleaning Service Do I Need?

Not every home requires the same level of cleaning. Ask the company to explain the difference between its available services rather than selecting an option based only on price.

Common options may include:

• Deep cleaning
• Regular or standard cleaning
• Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly recurring cleaning
• Essentials-only cleaning
• Move-in or move-out cleaning
• Post-construction cleaning
• Commercial or office cleaning
• Garage or basement cleaning
• Organizational services

A deep cleaning is usually appropriate when a home has not been professionally cleaned recently or needs detailed attention. Regular cleaning is designed to help maintain a home after that initial buildup has been addressed.

An honest company should recommend the service that fits your home instead of automatically directing you toward the most expensive option.

What Is Included in the Cleaning?

The word “cleaning” can mean very different things from one company to another. Never assume that a task is included simply because another service provider offered it.

Ask for a detailed checklist or written description of the service. Find out which rooms and surfaces will be addressed and whether certain tasks require an additional fee or advance arrangement.

You may want to ask about:

• Baseboards
• Cabinet exteriors
• Appliance exteriors
• Refrigerator interiors
• Oven interiors
• Blinds
• Ceiling fans
• Interior windows
• Wall washing
• Dishes
• Garages and basements

Some requests may depend on the material, condition, accessibility, or safety of the area.

For example, blinds may be dusted and, depending on their type and condition, may be suitable for wiping. Wall washing and dishwashing require a signed waiver through Olivia’s Cleaning Services.

Interior window cleaning is not automatically included unless it has been arranged in advance.

Are Cleaning Supplies and Equipment Provided?

Some companies bring everything needed for the appointment, while others expect the homeowner to supply certain products or equipment.

Ask what the team will bring and whether you need to leave anything out. If you prefer particular products, discuss that before the service date rather than waiting until the cleaners arrive.

Olivia’s Cleaning Services provides the supplies and equipment required for the scheduled service. We can use hospital-grade or eco-friendly products depending on your selection.

It is also important to tell the company about delicate materials, specialty finishes, allergies, or product sensitivities ahead of time.

Can I Request Eco-Friendly Products?

If product selection is important to your household, ask whether eco-friendly products are available upon request.

Do not assume that every product used by a company is natural, fragrance-free, hospital-grade, or eco-friendly. A trustworthy provider should describe its options accurately without making broad or misleading claims.

At Olivia’s Cleaning Services, clients may select hospital-grade or eco-friendly products based on their preferences.

How Is the Price Determined?

Cleaning prices may be based on several factors, including:

• The size of the home
• The current condition of the home
• The type of cleaning requested
• The number of rooms and bathrooms
• The amount of buildup
• Special requests
• The frequency of recurring service

Ask whether the quote is a flat rate or an estimate. You should also find out what could cause the final price to change.

Be cautious about choosing a cleaning company based only on the lowest quote. A dramatically lower price may reflect a shorter checklist, less time in the home, limited insurance, or a less structured hiring and training process.

A clear quote should help you understand what you are paying for before the service begins.

Is a Deposit Required?

Some companies require a deposit for first-time or larger appointments. Ask how much is required, whether it is refundable, when the remaining balance is charged, and which payment methods are accepted.

For first-time clients, Olivia’s Cleaning Services requires a 50% non-refundable deposit and a card on file. The remaining balance is processed after the service.

Understanding payment terms in advance helps prevent surprises on the day of your cleaning.

Do I Need to Be Home During the Cleaning?

Most homeowners do not need to remain home for the entire appointment, but every company has its own access procedures.

Ask how the team can enter if you are away. Possible arrangements may include a door code, lockbox, key, garage code, or someone meeting the cleaners when they arrive.

You should also ask:

• How is access information protected?
• What happens if the team cannot enter?
• Will I receive an arrival notification?
• Should the alarm be turned off?
• How should the home be secured afterward?

If the cleaning team cannot enter the property, the appointment may be treated as a lockout. Olivia’s Cleaning Services applies a 50% lockout fee after the team has waited 15 minutes.

Will the Same Cleaners Visit My Home?

Some clients prefer to see familiar faces at every appointment. Ask whether the company tries to maintain the same team and what happens when a regular team member is sick or unavailable.

A professional cleaning company should have systems that support consistency even when staffing changes. This may include training standards, service notes, checklists, and quality inspections.

No company can guarantee that the exact same cleaners will attend every appointment. What it can provide is a consistent process and a team trained to follow the same service expectations.

What Is the Arrival Window?

Many cleaning companies provide an arrival window rather than an exact appointment time. Earlier appointments, traffic, home conditions, and service changes can affect the day’s schedule.

Olivia’s Cleaning Services provides a two-hour arrival window and operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We do not schedule weekend appointments or plan cleanings that finish after 5:00 PM.

Ask how the company communicates delays and whether you will be contacted before the team arrives.

What Is the Cancellation or Rescheduling Policy?

Plans change, but late cancellations can leave a cleaning team with an empty space that cannot be filled.

Before booking, ask:

• How much notice is required?
• Is there a cancellation fee?
• What happens if the team cannot enter?
• Are there fees for skipping a recurring visit?
• How should you request a schedule change?

Olivia’s Cleaning Services requires at least two business days’ notice for cancellations. Cancellations made with less notice may result in a fee equal to 50% of the scheduled service.

Recurring appointments may also be subject to skip fees, depending on the cleaning frequency.

How Are Quality Concerns Handled?

Even a reliable cleaning company should have a process for responding when a client is unhappy with part of a service.

Ask whom you should contact, how quickly concerns need to be reported, and whether the company offers a return visit or another resolution when appropriate.

A professional company should welcome specific, respectful feedback. Clear communication gives the company an opportunity to understand what happened and improve the experience.

If a company becomes defensive when you ask about its quality policy, that may be a warning sign.

Are Special Requests Allowed?

If you have priorities beyond the standard checklist, discuss them before booking. The company may need additional time, supplies, equipment, or a signed waiver.

Special requests might include:

• Cleaning inside appliances
• Addressing a garage or basement
• Organizational help
• Using a requested product option
• Focusing on selected rooms
• Working around delicate belongings

Some tasks may not be offered because of safety, insurance, or service limitations. Olivia’s Cleaning Services does not handle biohazards or hoarding conditions. Team members do not lift items weighing more than 25 pounds and use only a two- to three-step ladder.

Being honest about the condition of the home allows the company to schedule the appropriate service and team.

How Should I Prepare My Home?

You should not have to clean before the cleaners arrive. However, a small amount of preparation can help the team spend more time cleaning and less time moving personal belongings. Ask whether you should:

• Pick up clothing, toys, and loose objects
• Secure important documents and valuables
• Clear counters with heavy clutter
• Provide entry instructions
• Identify delicate or damaged items
• Secure pets
• Share parking information
• Point out priority areas

The goal is not to make the home spotless first. It is to create safe, reasonable access to the surfaces included in your service.

How Does the Company Handle Pets?

Tell the company about pets before the appointment, even if they are usually friendly. New people, unfamiliar equipment, and open doors can make pets anxious or unpredictable. Ask whether pets must be placed in a separate room, crate, or another secure area.

Also explain if your pet is sensitive to noise or likely to attempt to leave the home. A clear plan protects your pet and allows the cleaning team to work safely.

Are Recurring Cleaning Plans Available?

If you want consistent help, ask about weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service. Recurring cleaning can reduce buildup and make the condition of the home easier to maintain. Ask whether:

• The price changes based on frequency
• A commitment is required
• You may pause or cancel the plan
• Skip fees apply
• The initial cleaning is different from later visits
• Recurring clients receive additional benefits

Olivia’s Cleaning Services offers recurring options designed for homeowners who want dependable, ongoing care. The appropriate frequency depends on the household size, pets, lifestyle, and how quickly the home becomes untidy.

What Warning Signs Should You Watch For?

A few warning signs may indicate that a cleaning service is not the right fit:

• The company cannot explain what is included.
• It does not provide written pricing or policies.
• It avoids questions about insurance or screening.
• Its claims sound exaggerated or unrealistic.
• It asks for access without explaining security procedures.
• It cannot describe how concerns are resolved.
• Its pricing is unclear or changes without explanation.
• It pressures you to book before answering your questions. Professional service begins with professional communication. You should feel informed—not rushed or confused—before confirming an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Get More Than One Cleaning Quote?

Getting more than one quote can help you compare services, but compare the details rather than the total price alone. One quote may include tasks that another company considers add-ons.

Should a Cleaning Company Be Insured?

Hiring an insured and bonded cleaning company provides added protection and demonstrates that the business has taken important professional precautions.

Do Professional Cleaners Bring Their Own Supplies?

Many professional cleaning companies provide their own supplies and equipment, but you should always confirm this before your appointment.

Do I Have to Be Home During the Cleaning?

Not necessarily. Many clients provide secure access instructions and return after the cleaning is complete. Confirm the company’s access requirements before the appointment.

How Long Will the Cleaning Take?

The time depends on the home’s size, condition, service type, number of cleaners, and requested tasks. Ask for an expected range rather than relying on a guaranteed completion time.

Should I Clean Before the Cleaning Team Arrives?

You do not need to clean first. Picking up loose belongings and providing clear access can help the team focus its time on actual cleaning.

Can I Ask the Cleaners to Focus on Certain Areas?

Yes, but priorities should be communicated when booking. The company can explain what can reasonably be completed within your selected service.

What Happens If I Am Unhappy With the Cleaning?

Contact the company promptly and describe the concern clearly. Ask about its quality-resolution process before hiring so you know what to expect.

How Often Should I Schedule Professional Cleaning?

Busy households often benefit from weekly or bi-weekly cleaning. Monthly service may work for lower-traffic homes or households that maintain most areas between appointments.

Is a Deep Cleaning Necessary Before Recurring Service?

A deep cleaning is often recommended when there is existing buildup that regular maintenance cleaning is not designed to address. The company should evaluate your home and recommend the appropriate starting service.

Other Services We Offer:  

Recurring Cleaning Deep Cleaning Essentials Only Cleaning Move-In And Move-Out Cleaning Post-Construction Cleaning Commercial And Office Cleaning Garage And Basement Cleaning

Choose a Cleaning Team That Makes You Feel Confident

The right cleaning company should be willing to answer your questions, explain its policies, and set realistic expectations. Taking a few minutes to ask these questions can help you find a team that delivers dependable care and greater peace of mind.

Olivia’s Cleaning Services has served Greater St. Louis homeowners since 2007. Our insured and bonded company uses trained, background-checked teams to provide detailed cleaning with consistency and care.

Book your cleaning today.

📞 314-470-2414 🌐 oliviascleaningstlouis.com 📧 [email protected] Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM–5 PM**