House cleaning has a low barrier to entry. A vacuum and willingness to scrub and you can call yourself a pro. Most are great. Some aren't. These 8 questions tell you which is which.
1. "Are you insured + bonded? Can I see the certificate?"
The most important question. General liability ($1M coverage) + a bond is standard — costs $400-$700/year. A real pro emails the certificate in 5 minutes. Hesitation = walk away.
2. "What's included in a standard clean? Can I see your checklist?"
A real pro has a written checklist they'll share. Vague "I clean everything" is a warning. Bonus: "What's NOT included?" Pros are upfront — laundry, dishes, windows, inside oven (in standard cleans) are common exclusions.
3. "What's the difference between standard, deep, and move-out?"
Tests their experience. Pro answer:
- Standard: maintenance, ~2-3 hours
- Deep: includes baseboards, inside oven, behind appliances; ~4-6 hours
- Move-out: empty home, full deep + inside cabinets + walls; ~5-7 hours
Vague answers = rookie or bad communicator.
4. "Do you bring your own supplies and vacuum?"
Most pros bring own. Some use yours. Either fine, but get clarity. With chemical sensitivity, ask what they use.
5. "How do you handle [specific concern]?"
Ask about your specific need:
- "How do you clean hardwood floors?" (right: damp microfiber + minimal water, never soaking wet)
- "How do you clean granite countertops?" (right: mild pH-neutral cleaner, never vinegar or bleach)
- "What do you use for stainless steel?" (right: streak-free stainless cleaner + microfiber)
Vague "I'll figure it out" = inexperience.
6. "Can I see before/after photos or recent reviews?"
A pro has dozens. They'll text 3-5 photos within minutes. Stock images or "haven't taken pictures" = red flag. Reviews: at least 5-10 on Google with names + dates. Mostly 5-star with occasional 4-star is healthy. All 5-star with similar wording = bought.
7. "What's your reschedule + cancellation policy?"
Pro has a written policy. "24-hour notice for free reschedule, $50 same-day fee" is normal. No policy at all = unprofessional. $200 cancellation fee = exploitative.
8. "What happens if something gets damaged or missed?"
Right answer: "Insurance covers damage. If something's missed, I'll come back within 24 hours to fix it at no charge."
Wrong answer: "Nothing's ever happened" or "It's not in our scope to come back."
The bottom line
5 minutes on a phone call. Reputable cleaners welcome the questions. Browse vetted house cleaners with insurance + reviews visible upfront.