Summary
- Verify registration and insurance before anything else.
- Get a written, room-by-room scope — not just an hourly rate.
- Compare three quotes; the spread is usually 30–50%.
- Agree the re-clean policy and cancellation terms up front.
Quick answer
A dependable cleaning company is registered, carries public liability insurance, screens its cleaners, and quotes in writing with a clear scope. Expect $30–60 per hour in the US and £18–35 per hour in the UK for regular domestic cleaning, with deep cleans and end-of-tenancy work priced per job.
1. Check that the business is real
Look up the company in the official register — Secretary of State filings in the US, Companies House in the UK. A company that cannot be found, or that only exists as a phone number on a flyer, is a company you have no recourse against.
2. Ask for proof of insurance
Two policies matter: public liability (damage to your home) and employer's liability or workers' compensation (injury to the cleaner while in your home). Ask for the certificate, not a verbal assurance. Without cover, a broken worktop or a slip on your stairs can become your problem.
3. Find out who actually turns up
Some firms send the same cleaner every visit, others rotate staff. Consistency matters for quality and for trust, since the cleaner usually holds a key. Ask whether staff are employed or subcontracted, and whether they are background-checked (DBS in the UK, a criminal background check in the US).
4. Get the scope in writing
"A full clean" means different things to different companies. A written scope should state room by room what is included, how often skirting boards, inside windows, ovens and fridges are done, and what counts as an extra.
5. Compare at least three quotes
Prices for identical work commonly differ by 30–50%. Three quotes tell you what the job is really worth and expose the outlier that is either cutting corners or overcharging.
6. Understand how they price
| Model | Typical use | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Regular domestic cleaning | Confirm the minimum number of hours |
| Per job | Deep clean, end-of-tenancy | Confirm what triggers an extra charge |
| Per square foot / metre | Offices and large homes | Confirm which areas are counted |
7. Ask about products and equipment
Does the company bring its own supplies, or use yours? If anyone in the household has asthma, allergies or pets, ask for fragrance-free and pet-safe products and get that noted in the scope.
8. Read recent reviews, not the best ones
Sort reviews by date. Patterns in the last six months tell you far more about the company's current staffing than a glowing review from three years ago.
9. Agree how problems get fixed
A good company offers a re-clean within 24–48 hours if you flag an issue. Get the response window and the complaints route in writing before the first visit.
10. Read the cancellation terms
Notice periods, minimum contract lengths and cancellation fees are where cheap offers turn expensive. Monthly rolling terms with 14 days' notice are normal and fair.