A quick phone call before booking tells you a lot more than a website ever will. These are the questions worth asking, in roughly the order they matter.
About the business
- Are you insured, and can you tell me what that covers?
- Do you run background checks on the people who'll be in my home?
- Is it the same person or crew every visit, or does that rotate?
- How long have you been doing this, and how long has your crew been with you?
About the visit itself
- How long does a typical visit take for a home my size?
- Do you bring your own supplies and equipment, or do I need to provide them?
- What's not included in a standard cleaning that I might assume is?
- Can I request specific products, or avoid certain chemicals — for allergies, pets, or personal preference?
About pricing
- Is this a flat rate or an hourly estimate, and how did you arrive at it?
- What would make the price change — add-ons, a bigger mess than expected, extra time?
- Is there a cancellation or reschedule fee if I need to move a visit?
About what happens if something goes wrong
- What's your policy if something gets broken or damaged?
- How do I reach you if I need to reschedule or have a concern after a visit?
- What happens if I'm not happy with a visit — is there a way to flag it and get it addressed?
A quick way to compare answers across providers
If you're calling more than one provider, ask the same questions in the same order and jot down the answers right after each call — they blend together faster than you'd expect. The provider whose answers are the most specific, not necessarily the cheapest, is usually the one worth booking.
None of these questions are meant to catch anyone out — a provider who's actually set up to do this professionally will have quick, specific answers. Vague answers, or getting defensive about being asked, tell you something too.