What questions should I ask before booking a cleaner?

Ask what is included in the standard visit, what counts as an add on, who supplies products and equipment, whether the same person or team comes each time, how they handle keys or entry, what insurance they carry, and their cancellation policy. Ask how they price: by the hour, by the visit, or by square footage. That determines how you compare quotes.

How do I compare cleaning quotes fairly?

Give every company the same room count, square footage, number of bathrooms, pets, and the tasks that matter most to you. Say clearly whether you want a deep clean first and then recurring visits, since that changes the first invoice. Then compare what is included rather than the hourly rate alone, because a lower rate over more hours is not cheaper.

Should I tip a house cleaner?

Tipping is optional and appreciated rather than expected, and practices vary by region and by company. Some services build gratuity into their pricing or discourage it. If you want to recognize good work, a tip at the end of a deep clean or during the holidays is common. A specific, written review also helps a small business meaningfully.

Do I need to be home during the cleaning?

Not usually. Most clients arrange entry through a key, lockbox or smart lock, especially for recurring visits. Being home for the first clean is useful so you can walk through priorities and point out anything delicate. Whatever you choose, put the entry arrangement and any alarm instructions in writing with the company.

Hiring Guides

Hiring a house cleaning service

How cleaning services are priced, what standard and deep cleans usually include, and the questions that prevent a mismatch.

By Elijah Canfield, Founder, Hire Best Pros · Updated August 27, 2026

Elijah Canfield is the founder of Hire Best Pros. He writes and edits the site's consumer guides, with a focus on how home service and moving projects are priced, scoped and compared.

A cleaner working through a kitchen with a caddy of supplies and a vacuum

Define the scope before comparing prices. A standard recurring clean, a deep clean and a move out clean are different jobs with different times attached. Confirm what is included room by room, who supplies products and equipment, whether the company is insured, and how access and scheduling are handled.

Key points

Price without a defined scope tells you nothing.
Insurance and background screening are fair questions to ask directly.
Interior of appliances, windows and baseboards are usually add ons.

Types of clean

Standard recurring: surfaces, floors, kitchen and bathrooms on a schedule
Deep clean: detailed work including build up, baseboards and fixtures
Move in or move out: empty home, including inside cabinets and appliances
Post construction: dust removal after renovation work, a specialist job

Questions worth asking

Is the company insured, and are cleaners employees or subcontractors
Who supplies products and equipment, and can you request specific products
Is it the same team each visit
What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy
How is access handled, and how are keys or codes secured

Getting a fair comparison

Give every company the same information: square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, pets, and anything unusual such as high ceilings or delicate surfaces. Ask for the scope in writing so the first visit matches the expectation you paid for.

Costs vary based on location, project size, materials, complexity, access and the provider you hire.

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Common questions

What questions should I ask before booking a cleaner?: Ask what is included in the standard visit, what counts as an add on, who supplies products and equipment, whether the same person or team comes each time, how they handle keys or entry, what insurance they carry, and their cancellation policy. Ask how they price: by the hour, by the visit, or by square footage. That determines how you compare quotes.
How do I compare cleaning quotes fairly?: Give every company the same room count, square footage, number of bathrooms, pets, and the tasks that matter most to you. Say clearly whether you want a deep clean first and then recurring visits, since that changes the first invoice. Then compare what is included rather than the hourly rate alone, because a lower rate over more hours is not cheaper.
Should I tip a house cleaner?: Tipping is optional and appreciated rather than expected, and practices vary by region and by company. Some services build gratuity into their pricing or discourage it. If you want to recognize good work, a tip at the end of a deep clean or during the holidays is common. A specific, written review also helps a small business meaningfully.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?: Not usually. Most clients arrange entry through a key, lockbox or smart lock, especially for recurring visits. Being home for the first clean is useful so you can walk through priorities and point out anything delicate. Whatever you choose, put the entry arrangement and any alarm instructions in writing with the company.