We explore essential questions to ask a cleaning contractor before hiring. Use this guide to help you find the best cleaning company to fit your needs.
Choosing the right cleaning contractor is an important factor for any home or office. The right cleaning service can save time, money and stress.
The wrong cleaning service can risk safety, damage property and cause long disputes. This guide gives you the most important questions to ask before hiring so you can make an informed decision and feel confident. It suits homes, schools, shops and offices across the UK.
Guide to Choosing a Cleaning Service
Use it as a clear guide to choosing a cleaning service that fits your needs today and in the future. Asking the right questions early is a game changer and should be non negotiable when you compare one cleaning company with another.
You will find practical questions to ask and the plain answers to expect. This makes it easier to compare services fairly, spot a reputable cleaning company and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Good communication from the company makes a real difference and helps you trust the cleaning service you choose.
How to use this guide
Read the questions, ask them in your first call or meeting, and write down each answer. If anything is unclear, ask for it in written form so there is proof. Ask the company to provide references. Keep every contract, quote and comment in one place to make it easy to track details.
Clear records help ensure the cleaning service you choose will deliver the services you expect.
Do a little research ahead of time. Open your browser, visit the company website, read reviews and look for recent testimonials on Google.
List your needs room by room and add any special requests, sensitivities or delicate items. This simple plan helps the company tailor its services to your specific needs and makes it easier for the team to meet expectations.
About the business
Many cleaning companies work hard, yet standards and practices differ. Most cleaning companies will say they offer great services, but the right questions help you find out who can deliver consistent quality.
Start by asking if the company is a registered UK business and confirm the trading address.
Ask how long they have been trading and whether the cleaner works alone or for a professional cleaning company with employees. Time in business can show experience and reliability.
Ask the company to provide references from recent customers and clients with homes like yours. Look for published testimonials that mention the services you care about and check that the contact details are TRUE and current.
Ask how large the team is, how many employees are employed, and if background checks are done.
Ask if the company is bonded and insured, and ask how they prove it. These are essential questions to ask before hiring any cleaning service.
Safety and compliance
Ask for insurance details. Check public liability insurance and the level of coverage, then check employers’ liability insurance if staff are employed.
Confirm the company is insured and bonded, and ask what the insurance will cover in the event of accidents, damage or theft. Because accidents happen, ask how incidents are recorded and who is responsible for follow up.
Ask whether the company will carry out a risk assessment for your home or site and whether they follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health rules. Request safety data sheets for the cleaning products used and a simple plan for spills.
Ask what protective equipment the staff use and how the company will handle access, keys and alarm codes to support security.
If you have delicate items, ask the method they will use to keep them safe. Clear policies, accountability and responsibility are vital to good safety.
People and training
Ask who will be doing the cleaning and how the team is supervised. A steady cleaning team helps with quality and consistency, and good communication is key.
Ask about training, background checks and which checks are repeated over time. In homes with children, care settings and schools, these checks are essential.
Ask how the company will cover sick days and holidays so visits are not missed. It is reasonable to meet a person from the team during a site visit to see if you are comfortable with the approach and professionalism.
Trustworthy cleaners arrive on time, treat your property with care and leave the place neat.
Do not be shy about talking through any concerns. Ask who to contact if something’s wrong and how fast the company will fix issues.
Ask if there will be a short training session on your site so the team can learn your preferences. Strong supervision and reliability help the company meet expectations and maintain standards.
Service and quality
Ask what is included in the cleaning service and what is not included. Request a clear list of tasks by area so there are no unpleasant surprises. For example, ask about dusting, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms, and whether window washing is included.
If you need deep cleaning or additional services, discuss them, agree the scope and confirm any additional cost. Tell the company about delicate items, any special requests, sensitivities to scents or products, and whether you prefer eco friendly or fragrance‑free products.
Ask how the company checks quality. A professional cleaning company may use checklists, photos and regular inspections.
Ask how feedback is handled, what happens if something is missed, and how fast cleaners will return to fix the job.
Agree which tasks are daily and which are weekly so nothing is skipped. For instance, agree the exact schedule for high‑touch surfaces to protect health and well being. Clear communication, a written plan and simple ways to track work make it easy to avoid frustration.
Equipment, products and the environment
Ask who supplies equipment and materials. Many cleaning companies bring their own cleaning supplies and equipment, though some will use yours if you prefer. If not, agree who buys what, where supplies are stored and who has access.
Ask for the names of the cleaning products and check that products are safe for pets, children and allergy needs. If you want an environmentally friendly approach, ask about low‑impact products, refill practices and other eco friendly options.
Discuss cleaning methods and techniques that reduce waste and protect the environment while keeping high standards.
If you have specific needs, ask about special tools for corners and hard to reach places. Clarify how the company will handle waste and recycling. Good practices here make a difference to convenience and peace of mind.
Price, contract and payments
Ask for the price and what it includes. Confirm whether supplies, equipment, travel, parking and waste are included, and whether Value Added Tax is included.
Ask for the pricing structure in plain English. Some companies use flat rates, others use an hourly rate, and some offer a flat fee for a set list of tasks.
Ask for rates for optional extras and whether there is any additional cost for short notice visits. If you need regular visits, ask for weekly rates and monthly packages that match your budget.
A reliable cleaning company will explain what is included, what is excluded and what might change the price.
Ask for quotes in writing, with clear rates for deep cleaning, window washing or other additional services.
Ask about the contract length, notice period and any fees at the end of the term.
Ask who to contact about pricing concerns so there are no surprises. This level of transparency gives you control and makes it easier to plan costs over the long term.
Ask what payment options and payments methods are accepted, when you must pay, and whether you can pay by the hour or by set packages. Affordable choices and flexibility are often available if you discuss them upfront.
Security and data
Ask how keys, fobs and alarm codes are handled. There should be a safe key hold and a simple log to show who has access.
Ask how personal data is protected under UK law, including your address, entry codes and any CCTV images.
Agree whether the cleaning service can work out of hours, who will open and lock up, and who will check the work at the end of each visit. Good security, clear control and careful record keeping build trust and reliability.
If staff use phones or tablets to sign in and out, ask how data is stored, who can see it and how long records are kept.
Agree where the team can park, which doors to use and any areas that are out of bounds. Simple steps like these reduce risk and help everyone understand the plan.
Home and tenancy extras
If you are a tenant or a landlord, ask if the company offers an end of tenancy cleaning service that meets letting agent lists.
For homes, make a short list of rooms and tasks that matter most, such as bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms, and agree any deep cleaning that might be needed before you move in or out.
If you have delicate items, give instructions in a quick walkthrough so the team can take extra care. Homeowners often have unique preferences, so discuss them early and confirm them in writing.
If you prefer certain products, ask the company to use yours. This can help with allergies, scents and sensitivities. If you have pets, explain any access rules. Good planning keeps everyone safe, avoids gaps in the work and helps the team leave every space tidy.
Office and site extras
For offices and larger sites, ask if the company can restock washroom supplies and manage deliveries.
Ask for method statements for higher‑risk work, for example working at height or machine floor work.
If you need commercial cleaning on a longer contract, ask if the company can be your commercial cleaning partner and about the team that will be assigned to your site.
A professional cleaning company that stands behind its services will explain its industry accreditations, commitment to excellence and the training plan used to keep standards high.
If your business has special security rules, discuss them in detail. Agree how the cleaners will gain access, who will supervise out of hours, and how often a manager will visit. Clear roles and good communication help the company deliver consistent results.
How To Check Answers Fast
Ask for copies of insurance certificates and keep them on file. Request a one‑page plan for your home or site that sets out rooms, tasks and standards.
Walk the space together before quoting and note special areas, corners and surfaces. Start with a short trial and review after a week to check reliability and quality.
Keep a shared list of tasks and update it when needs change. Regular reviews help find issues early and keep the cleaning service on track.
If the company can provide references, ask to speak to two recent customers. Ask clear questions about consistency, reliability and whether the company met the scope agreed. Knowing more about their experience helps you make the right choice.
Hiring a Cleaning Company: Warning Signs
Treat vague answers about insurance, training or chemicals as a red flag. Be wary of prices with no written contract or quotes that hide costs.
Watch for no clear plan to cover staff absence. Be cautious of pushy sales pressure or prices that look unreal, whether very low or much higher than normal rates.
Poor references or none at all are another sign to look elsewhere. If something feels wrong, it may be. A refusal to explain background checks, missing information on liability or a lack of simple policies are signs to avoid that company.
Helpful Extras to Ask, Discuss and Confirm
- When you compare one cleaning service with another, here are examples of simple but important points to discuss so you can avoid surprises and stay in control.
- Ask whether the company offers professional cleaning services as packages, whether the services include the supplies and equipment, and whether deep cleaning is an additional cost.
- Ask if they offer flat rates, or if they use an hourly rate, and whether a flat fee applies for a fixed list of tasks.
- Ask what rates apply for cleaning bathrooms, for window washing, for one‑off jobs and for weekly visits.
- Clarify any payment options, how you pay, when you pay, and whether late payments will incur fees.
- Discuss the cleaning methods used for dusting, mopping and vacuuming, and ask which products will be used on your items and surfaces.
- Confirm that products are safe for pets and children. If you require an environmentally friendly plan, ask for eco friendly products.
- Confirm who will bring the cleaning supplies, who will carry the equipment and where it will be stored.
- Ask how the team will handle access, keys and alarms.
- If you have delicate items or unusual rooms, ask for a short site walkthrough so the team can see everything in place.
- It is worth asking how the company manages quality. Ask how often a supervisor will visit, how feedback is collected and how fast the company will fix a missed task.
- Ask for a simple schedule for daily, weekly and monthly tasks so you can track progress.
- Ask whether the company uses flat rates or offers options, and whether the majority of services you want are included.
- If you need commercial cleaning, ask whether they can be a long‑term partner for your business, whether they can tailor packages to your needs and whether they can bring extra staff for big events.
- Finally, ask about insurance in plain language. Ask about public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance and what the policy will cover. Ask if the company is bonded and insured, and ask for proof.
- Confirm how the company will handle responsibility for damage if it happens, how they will fix it, and how they will prove that standards are met. Knowing these things helps you choose with confidence and avoid risk.
Notes on Choosing a Cleaning Contractor
Choosing a cleaning service is not only about low rates. It is about knowledge, expertise, professionalism and the ability to offer services that meet your needs.
Look for signs of commitment, accountability and transparency. Check whether staff receive training and whether checks are done.
Ask how they will handle special requests, whether they can tailor packages, and whether they can offer flexible schedule options that match yours as well as theirs.
Look for good communication, reliable service and consistency over time. Ask for references, read testimonials and reviews, and ask for recent examples of work so the company can prove its quality.
If you sense a mismatch, say so. Do not be afraid to ask the right questions again or to ask different questions. A trustworthy company will answer clearly, discuss concerns, explain their approach and follow up in writing.
If the fit is wrong, move on and find the right fit for your home or business. The aim is a professional cleaning service that makes life easier, keeps your home safe and tidy, and leaves you happy with the result.
Quick Checklist to Keep in Mind
Ask, confirm and set the basics in writing: services included, rates, contract length, schedule, access rules, products, supplies, insurance, and how to contact a real person fast.
Agree how problems will be handled, who is responsible for what, and the steps the company will take to fix any issues.
Make sure checks are part of the plan. These simple steps help create peace of mind, keep everyone accountable and make sure the job is done well, on time and to the standards you expect.
Questions to Ask a Cleaning Contractor: Final thoughts
A careful talk before hiring sets the rules for a clean, safe and steady service. Use this guide, ask before hiring and keep things in writing.
The right cleaning service, with the right team, makes a real difference and can save time every day. Good communication, clear pricing and strong safety standards help you feel confident, build trust and bring peace of mind.
When you are ready, contact a cleaning company you trust, ask your remaining questions and book a trial clean today. If you prefer email, send your questions and ask for a quick reply, or call and ask for a short meeting so you can discuss any last details.
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Sources:
Health and Safety Executive. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
Health and Safety Executive. Risk assessment: A brief guide.
Government of the United Kingdom. Employers’ Liability Insurance requirements.
Disclosure and Barring Service. About checks.
Information Commissioner’s Office. Guide to data protection.
Living Wage Foundation. The real Living Wage.
British Institute of Cleaning Science. Training and standards.
SafeContractor. Accreditation guidance.
Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. Accreditation guidance.