Most people choose a cleaning service the same way they choose a plumber: whoever answers the phone first, or whoever has the most reviews on a search result. That works out fine most of the time, but a little more diligence up front saves you from a bad first visit — and from having to vet a second provider a month later.
Ask about their onboarding, not just their reviews
Reviews tell you how past customers felt. They don't tell you whether a business is actually registered, insured, or running background checks on the people coming into your home. Ask directly — a legitimate provider will have a straightforward answer, usually without hesitation.
If a provider is listed through a directory or program that requires this kind of onboarding before a listing goes live, that's worth more than a five-star average on its own — it's a check that happened before you ever called, not a promise made on the phone.
Understand what "licensed" actually means here
Residential cleaning licensing requirements vary a lot by state and city, and a lot of what gets called "licensed" in this industry is really just a standard business license, not a specialized trade license the way it would be for electrical or plumbing work. That's normal — just don't assume it means more than it does.
Insurance is the more meaningful question in this industry. A general liability policy covers accidental damage during a visit; ask whether it's current and what it actually covers, rather than just whether one exists.
Get specifics on what's included
- Which rooms and surfaces are covered by a standard visit
- Whether supplies and equipment are provided or you need your own
- How they handle breakage or damage
- Whether the same person or crew comes back each time
Red flags worth taking seriously
- Refuses to answer a direct question about insurance or background checks, or gets defensive when asked
- Won't give a straight answer on pricing until after the visit
- No way to reach a real person if something goes wrong after they leave
- Pressure to pay entirely in cash with no receipt or record
Start small if you're still unsure
You don't have to commit to a recurring schedule to try a provider out. A single one-time visit is a low-stakes way to see how they communicate, whether they show up on time, and whether the result matches what was promised — before you decide whether a recurring relationship makes sense.