Hiring a cleaner means giving someone a key, a garage code, or a window while you're away. That's a real trust decision, not just a transaction — so it's worth asking a few direct questions before you book anyone, whether you find them through a marketplace, a local company, or a friend's recommendation.
Here are the questions that actually tell you something, grouped by what they're protecting.
Trust and safety
1. Are you insured?
Liability insurance covers damage to your home if something breaks or gets ruined during a clean. This is the single most important question — a cleaner without insurance means you're absorbing the risk of any accident yourself.
2. Do you carry a background check?
Ask directly rather than assuming. Independent cleaners and small operations vary a lot here — some run their own checks, some don't, and there's no harm in asking to see documentation.
3. Can you provide references or reviews from past clients?
A cleaner with a real track record should have no hesitation pointing you to reviews or past clients. Vague or reluctant answers here are worth paying attention to.
4. Will the same person clean my home each time?
If you're booking recurring service, consistency matters — for comfort with someone in your space, and because a familiar cleaner learns your home's specifics over time and does a better job for it.
Scope and logistics
5. What's included in a standard clean vs. a deep clean?
"Cleaning" means different things to different people. Get specific: does it include inside the fridge, baseboards, window tracks? Mismatched expectations here are the most common source of after-the-fact disappointment.
6. Do you bring your own supplies and equipment?
Some cleaners bring everything; others expect you to provide supplies, or have specific product requirements. If you have allergies, pets, or want non-toxic products used, say so up front.
7. How long will the cleaning take?
Useful both for scheduling your day and as a rough gut-check against the scope of work — a quote that's dramatically faster than others for the same job is worth a second look.
8. What's your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
Life happens on both sides. Knowing the policy ahead of time avoids an awkward conversation later.
Pricing
9. Is this a flat rate or hourly, and what changes the price?
Flat-rate quotes are common for routine cleanings; hourly is more common for one-time or specialty jobs. Either is fine — just know which one you're agreeing to, and what would cause it to change (extra rooms, pets, condition of the home).
10. Is the first visit priced differently than ongoing visits?
Many cleaners price the first clean as a deep clean even if you're booking recurring standard service afterward, since there's usually more to address the first time through. Good to know before you compare quotes.
Communication
11. How do I reach you if something's wrong after a cleaning?
Good cleaners want to know if something was missed or damaged — it's a sign of a professional relationship, not a confrontation. Make sure there's a clear way to follow up.
12. Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
Not universal, but a strong signal when it's offered — it means the cleaner is confident enough in their work to stand behind it.
Where this fits into hiring on a marketplace
If you're finding a cleaner through an online marketplace rather than a single local company, these questions matter even more, since you're often meeting the person for the first time through a job post rather than a referral. Look for cleaners with visible reviews, respond to a few messages before booking, and don't be afraid to ask 2-3 of the questions above directly in the chat before confirming.
Find a vetted cleaner in Florida
Post your job on Cleanly, compare responses from local cleaners, and ask your questions directly before you book — free to post.