Every Question You've Ever Wanted to Ask About Hiring a House Cleaner

No, you don't need to clean before they come over. Here's what to expect when hiring a cleaning service.

Hiring anyone to do work in your house takes careful consideration. Even if they come with stellar references, it can still feel nerve-wracking to open your door and let someone into your personal space. As a professional organizer, I often hear phrases like, “I’m embarrassed for you to see my mess,” or “I bet you think this is bad compared to others.” But I’ll be the first to tell you that professionals are not there to judge—and they can definitely be worth the investment.

If you've thought about hiring a house cleaner but aren't sure where to start, look no further. We've done all the research for you, so you'll know exactly what to expect going into it. We consulted with experts in the cleaning industry to get their take on hiring the right person for the chores you need done. Here’s what they had to say to ensure you’re finding the right match for you, your home, your schedule, and your budget.

Related: 6 Cleaning Tasks Better Left to the Professionals

How to Find a House Cleaner

If there’s anything I learned about being in the home service industry, it’s that word-of-mouth referrals are a wonderful (and easy) way to find someone trustworthy. Before calling cleaners at random, reach out to neighbors or local friends and family members and ask if they use a cleaning service that they recommend.

Brandon Pleshek, cleaning expert at Clean That Up, says asking around is the best place to start. “Many times, you’ll begin to hear the same companies mentioned over and over again, which is a great sign,” he says.

If you don't receive many recommendations, he suggests jumping over to Google or Yelp to gain more insight. Pleshek's best advice is not to choose based on good ratings alone. “Look for a low-star review and observe how the company responds," he says. "It can reveal a lot about them and how they conduct business when something goes awry.” This is smart because bad reviews can result from one-off situations or finicky customers, so a not-great review might not be indicative of the company as a whole.

Another way to go about finding a house cleaner is to use a service that can assist in the hunt. For example, Chris Hawkins, founder of Tidy, explains that they use AI software to match homeowners with trusted cleaners in their area. Going this route might be best if you’re too busy to do the legwork or don't get great recommendations by word of mouth.

Related: 5 Cleaning Trends That Are Changing the Way We Care for Our Homes

Do You Need to Pre-Clean Before the Cleaners Arrive?

I am often asked by my organizing clients if they should clear clutter before our session, and house cleaners are typically asked the same thing. Pleshek settles this debate by explaining you only need to prep enough for the cleaners to do their job effectively.

“It’s not necessary, however, it's always good to ensure that the areas you want cleaned are clear and ready for the cleaner to work in,” he says. “If you're having your carpet cleaned, make sure to remove any items on the carpet that might interfere with the cleaner doing their job.”

Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, agrees, saying, “Homeowners are typically asked to pick up toys, clothing, and clutter before the cleaners arrive.” So, if you ask your cleaner or cleaning service, you’ll probably be met with an answer along this line—but know that most companies won’t expect you to actually clean your home before they get there. That’s what you're paying them to do, after all.

Average Cost of Home Cleaning Services

Because every household has different cleaning needs, there isn't a set price range when it comes to the cost of hiring a cleaner. Once you've found a service you want to hire, Mock recommends getting an in-home estimate for the services you need done. “Every professional cleaning service is different but typically, they should conduct a free in-home estimate where they provide you with the cost of your cleaning,” she says. Plus, it’s beneficial to meet the cleaner or a representative of the company so you can begin to feel comfortable with them.

If they don’t outright offer an in-home estimate, Pleshek suggests requesting one. “This allows you to share your concerns and it’s a great opportunity for the cleaning company to set expectations and talk about the services they offer," he says.

Location and home size plays a big part in determining the cost of cleaning services, too. "For instance, the cost in my small town compared to New York would be completely different due to the cost of living and business overhead," Pleshek says.

Since Tidy is available in most major U.S. cities, Hawkins gave us an idea of what he typically sees in terms of cost: “Standard cleanings can range from $120 to $180 and deeper cleanings range from $175 to $450 or higher,” he says. For a speedy cleaning services (typically by for short-term rental or vacation property owners), the cost can be anywhere from $60 to $90 for around an hour to an hour and a half. But he confirms, “These rates can vary a lot by region, size of the house, etc.”

The bottom line? Be sure to talk pricing ahead of time so there won't be any surprises once the work has been completed.

Related: How to Deep-Clean Every Room in Your House

Do You Need to Be Home for the Cleaning?

I’ve always felt like I’m in the way if I’m home during cleaning services, and the professional cleaners I’ve asked admit it’s better if you’re not there to work around. So, take this as an opportunity to schedule appointments or run errands. Either plan to leave as the cleaners arrive, or ensure they can get in without you via a solution like a smart lock.

Alternatively, you can duck into your home office or another space in the house that will allow you to be relatively out of the way while they clean.

Related: The 8 Best Steam Cleaners of 2023 for All Your Deep-Cleaning Needs

Questions to Ask When Hiring a House Cleaner

​​Once you’ve narrowed down your search, these are the questions you should ask any cleaning company or service to determine which is the best choice for you.

What cleaning services are (or are not) included?

Knowing this information upfront allows you to confirm they’ll provide exactly what you need. While your home might require standard cleaning on a regular basis, always ask if deep cleaning is an option from time to time.

Deeper cleanings typically cost more, and might require a larger team of people. Hawkins says a typical deep clean takes between 4 - 10 'people hours,' which could mean one person working for 10 hours, or a team of three working for about 3 hours total.

Do you have a team or do you work solo?

Hawkins also reveals that if a cleaner works as a solopreneur, you can expect them to reschedule an appointment approximately 25% of the time. Unforeseen circumstances (such as illness or family emergencies) do arise, and if you're working with a single person, they won't be able to send a replacement the way a large company would. If you tend to need urgent cleanings and want to mitigate the odds of a last-minute cancellation, you’re better off hiring a company with a team of cleaners.

How much do you charge for the services I need?

Once you've determined what services you'd like to hire out, it's important to ask about pricing ahead of time. Expect to pay a bit more for the first cleaning (especially if you've been slacking on the scrubbing), and for anything out of the ordinary.

“Costs will vary depending on the size of your home and what you want cleaned,” Mock says. "Specialty services and the initial cleaning may cost a little more than the rest of your services,” since they can both take extra time, she explains.

Establish a schedule and set clear expectations about the services you need so you'll both be on the same page when it's time to pay.

More Questions to Ask a Potential Cleaner

• Are you insured and bonded? Do you provide worker's compensation? This gives you peace of mind in the event something happens to your home, your things, or the cleaner(s) while on the job.
  
  

• Are your cleaners professionally trained? If you’re hiring a company that sends different cleaners to your home, there’s a better chance of consistency in results if they’ve gone through the same training.
  
  

• Do you provide a contract? In my own experience hiring individual cleaning services, most do not provide contracts. But if you want to guarantee that what you agreed upon gets done and is billed correctly, choose a company that will put it in writing.
  
  

• How should I handle pets? Whether you’re in the house at the same time as the cleaners or not, pets will need to be addressed as well. "Ensure pets have a designated spot where they’re comfortable while the cleaners are there,” Mock suggestts. That could mean they’re crated, closed off in a room that the cleaners don’t need to touch, or you simply take them to the park or the groomers at the same time as the appointment.
  
  

• Do you provide your own cleaning products and equipment? Since most cleaners do bring their own supplies, this is particularly important to ask if anyone in your household has allergies or is sensitive to certain scents or chemicals. In that case, you can ask them to use your own natural cleaning products instead. Likewise, many cleaning services come equipped with vacuums, mops, and so forth but, if by chance they don’t, it’s necessary to know ahead of time so you can be prepared.
  

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