Most house cleaners are honest, careful, and great. The minority that aren't can do real damage — broken items, stolen heirlooms, damaged surfaces, no-shows. Here are the 11 red flags.
1. Quote much below market
National range for standard 3-bed/2-bath: $130-$190. Quoting $60? Math doesn't work — uninsured, illegal labor, rushing through, or planning to upcharge mid-job.
2. No insurance certificate
Real cleaners carry $1M general liability + bonding. Cost: $400-$700/year — built into normal pricing. No certificate = no insurance.
3. Cash-only / cash up front
Demanding cash before starting = fraud signal. Reputable cleaners take cards, ACH, Venmo, or check.
4. No business name, LLC, or written contract
"Just text me" with no business name, no website, no LLC = no legal recourse if something goes wrong.
5. Won't give a written checklist or quote
Verbal "around 150" with no follow-up = warning. Written quote + checklist non-negotiable.
6. No background check / no policy
For someone with home access, asking is reasonable. Pro answers calmly: "I have a clean background; happy to share results" or "All my employees are background-checked at hire."
7. Vague service area
"I service all of Massachusetts" from a single cleaner is suspicious. Pros have tight zones. Wide service area = chasing every job, not a real business.
8. No photos + no reviews
Working pro has phone photos + at least 5-10 Google reviews. If they can't show either: very new (acceptable risk if other signals strong) or hiding history.
9. Too-good-to-be-true reviews
10 reviews all posted within 2 days, all 5-star, similar language = bought. Real reviews trickle in over months and include occasional 4-star. Dig past the average.
10. High-pressure sales tactics
"Opening tomorrow if you commit now." "This price only good today." Real cleaners are booked 1-2 weeks out and don't pressure. Urgency selling = inexperience or scam.
11. Won't say what products they use (if you have allergies)
Reasonable: "I use [brand]. If you prefer non-toxic, I can switch or you can supply your own." Unreasonable: deflecting. If you have asthma, eczema, kids, or pets, this matters.
One soft red flag
Brand new business with no reviews: not automatic disqualifier. Pair "new business + insurance cert + clear written quote + willingness to do trial visit" — viable. "New + no insurance + cash only + no checklist" — different.
The walk-away script
"Thanks, I appreciate the quote — I'm going to think it over and get back to you." Don't argue. Move to the next cleaner.
The bottom line
11 red flags, 5 minutes on the phone. Browse pre-vetted cleaners with insurance + reviews visible.