10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Cleaner
A short conversation before you book saves a lot of trouble later. These are the ten questions worth asking any cleaner or cleaning company, and what a reassuring answer sounds like.
1. Do you have public liability insurance?
This is the one to open with. Public liability cover pays out if the cleaner damages something or causes an accident in your home. A professional will say yes without hesitation and be happy to show you the certificate. "I'm very careful" is not an answer.
2. Are you or your cleaners DBS checked?
A DBS check flags relevant criminal records. It is not legally required for general cleaning work, so a "no" is not disqualifying on its own — but combined with references and insurance it adds confidence, and any agency sending people into homes should be running them.
3. Do you bring your own products and equipment?
Most do, and the hourly rate assumes it. Confirm it so you are not caught out, and mention any requirements — pet-safe products, fragrance-free, no bleach on certain surfaces.
4. Will it be the same cleaner every visit?
Continuity is what makes a regular clean good. The same person learns your home, your preferences and where things go. If it is a rotating team, expect to re-explain things and accept more variation.
5. What happens when you're ill or on holiday?
An independent cleaner may simply skip the week — fine if you know in advance. An agency should provide a replacement. Either way, you want to hear a clear answer, not a shrug.
6. What is your cancellation policy?
How much notice do they need from you to cancel a visit without charge, and how much notice will they give you? 24 to 48 hours each way is normal. A cleaner who charges full price for any cancellation, however early, is being unreasonable.
7. How do you handle keys and access?
If you will not be home, how do they get in, and how is the key stored between visits? A key safe on your property is the tidiest arrangement. A professional will have a system and will not be evasive about it.
8. Can you give me a reference or two?
A cleaner with an established round will have current clients happy to vouch for them. Actually contact one — ask about reliability and the small stuff, not just "are they any good".
9. What's included in the price, and what costs extra?
Get the boundary clear. A standard clean covers floors, surfaces, bathrooms and dusting. Oven interiors, inside windows, ironing and fridge-cleaning are usually extra. Agree what you want built in so it is in the quote.
10. How and when do you want to be paid?
Bank transfer after each visit, cash on the day, or a monthly invoice — all normal. Be wary of anyone wanting several weeks paid up front before they have done a single clean.
Before you decide
Run a single paid trial clean before committing to a schedule, and put the agreed details — day, time, scope, rate, notice period — in a short message so both sides have a record. If you would rather compare a few options at once, post what you need and let local cleaners respond.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a cleaner before hiring them?
Start with insurance, whether the same cleaner comes each time, cover for holidays and sickness, the cancellation policy, how keys are handled, and references. Then confirm what the price includes and how they want to be paid.
Does a cleaner need to be DBS checked?
There is no legal requirement for a DBS check for general domestic or commercial cleaning. It is a useful extra layer of reassurance alongside insurance and references, and reputable agencies typically run them for staff who enter people's homes.
Is it normal to pay a cleaner in advance?
Paying after each visit or monthly by invoice is standard. A request to pay several weeks ahead before any work has been done is a red flag.