How to Hire a Cleaning Service for Your Home or Office
A practical guide to hiring a cleaning service — checking insurance, bonding and background checks, comparing quotes, and clarifying what a standard clean includes.
By ApnaWorker - reviewed by ApnaWorker Editorial Team - updated 2026-06-16T13:37:58.187813+00:00
A cleaning service has regular, often unsupervised access to your home or office, so trust matters as much as the quality of the clean. A little verification up front protects your property and gives you peace of mind.
This guide covers what to check, what to ask, and how to compare cleaning services so you hire one that is reliable, thorough, and trustworthy.
Check insurance, bonding and registration
Any service you consider should be registered, insured, and bonded. Insurance protects you from liability for injury or damage, while bonding protects you against theft by an employee.
These protections matter precisely because cleaners work inside your space, often when you are not there. Skipping them leaves you exposed if something goes wrong.
- Confirm the service is registered and insured.
- Check it is bonded against theft.
- These protect you from damage and liability.
Require background checks
Because the cleaning crew is often in your space unsupervised, a background check on the team is important for peace of mind. Ask whether the company screens its staff.
A reputable service vets its cleaners and can reassure you about who will be entering your home or office. Reluctance to discuss this is a warning sign.
- Ask whether staff are background-checked.
- Crews are often unsupervised in your space.
- Treat reluctance to discuss it as a red flag.
Research and compare at least three
Ask people you trust for recommendations and review verified third-party ratings. Interview at least three companies for estimates before choosing.
Ask for two or three references from similar properties — an office cleaner should have office clients. Comparing several options shows you the fair range and reveals who fits your needs.
- Get recommendations and check ratings.
- Get estimates from at least three companies.
- Ask for references from similar properties.
Clarify what is included
Ask exactly what a "standard" clean covers and which services, like deep cleaning, cost extra. Misunderstandings about scope are the most common source of disappointment.
Check who supplies products — some bring their own, others expect you to provide them — and ask about the products used if anyone is sensitive to harsh chemicals.
- Confirm what a standard clean includes.
- Ask what costs extra (e.g. deep cleaning).
- Clarify who supplies the cleaning products.
Check the complaint process and agree terms
A good service has a clear, easy process for resolving complaints. Knowing how issues are handled before you start saves frustration later.
Agree schedule, scope, and payment in writing. On ApnaWorker you can view cleaner profiles, see verified contacts, and message candidates directly to compare experience and quotes.
- Ask how complaints are resolved.
- Put schedule, scope, and payment in writing.
- Compare verified profiles before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before hiring a cleaning service?
That the service is registered, insured, and bonded, and that staff are background-checked — important because crews often work unsupervised in your space. Insurance covers damage and injury; bonding protects against theft.
How many cleaning companies should I compare?
At least three. Get recommendations, check verified third-party ratings, gather estimates, and ask each for two or three references from similar properties. Comparing options reveals the fair range and the best fit.
What questions should I ask a cleaning service?
What a standard clean includes and what costs extra (like deep cleaning), who supplies the products, what products they use if anyone is chemical-sensitive, and how they resolve complaints. Clarify scope to avoid disappointment.
Why does bonding matter for cleaners?
Bonding protects you financially against theft by an employee, while insurance covers injury or damage. Since cleaners often work in your home or office unsupervised, both protections plus background checks give real peace of mind.