Letting someone into your home is a real act of trust. Whether you are comparing companies or interviewing an independent cleaner, these nine questions tell you most of what you need to know.
1. Are you insured and bonded?
General liability insurance protects your home if something is damaged. Bonding protects you if something goes missing. Ask for proof, not just a yes. A professional company will send a certificate the same day.
2. Do you background-check your cleaners?
Ask what the check covers and when it happens. The right answer is a nationwide criminal check completed before the cleaner's first shift, not "we know everyone personally."
3. Will I get the same cleaner each time?
Consistency is the biggest quality lever in house cleaning. A cleaner who knows your home finishes faster and notices problems early. If a company rotates staff, expect uneven results.
4. What is actually included in the price?
Get the list in writing. Ask specifically about supplies, equipment, inside the oven and fridge, and baseboards. Vague answers today become surprise charges later.
5. What products do you use?
If you have children, pets or allergies, this matters. Plant-based products are effective on soap scum and the salt-air film common in coastal Florida homes, without the harsh fragrance.
6. What happens if you miss something?
Look for a clear guarantee with a time window, such as "tell us within 24 hours and we re-clean at no charge." A company that hedges here is telling you how it handles problems.
7. How do you handle keys and access codes?
You should hear about encrypted storage, limited access and a record of who has your code. "We just keep them in the office" is a red flag.
8. How do I reach a real person?
Cancellations, running late and special requests all need a human. Ask about response times. Ours is within two hours during business hours, and you should expect a similar promise from any company you hire.
9. Can I see reviews from people like me?
Look for reviews that mention your kind of home or service, and read the three- and four-star ones for the honest details. Consistent detail across many reviews is more convincing than a page of one-line five-star praise.
A quick checklist
- Insurance certificate received
- Background checks confirmed
- Written scope of work
- Satisfaction guarantee understood
- Access and key policy agreed
You can see our own answers to these questions in our Palm Beach cleaning service guide, and check what a fair price looks like on our house cleaning prices page. For a workplace, the same checks apply to office cleaning services in West Palm Beach.
If a company passes all five, you have likely found a reliable partner. Ready to compare? Request a free quote and ask us all nine questions.
The Palm Beach Clean Pro Team
Cleaning experts
The Palm Beach Clean Pro team has cleaned thousands of homes across Palm Beach County. We write what we wish every homeowner knew before hiring a cleaner.
