The 7 most important questions to ask a cleaning service
Hiring a cleaning service should make your life easier — not add another thing to worry about. If you've never hired one before, here's exactly what to ask before you book, and what a good answer sounds like.
Most cleaning disappointments come down to a mismatch nobody caught beforehand — a client books what a company calls a "standard clean" but expects something closer to a deep clean, and everyone ends up frustrated over something that was fixable from the start. Asking these seven questions upfront closes that gap before anyone shows up at your door.
1. What's included in the cleaning?
Ask this first — "cleaning" means different things to different companies. Before booking, confirm exactly which tasks are covered in the service you're paying for: are baseboards included? Insides of appliances — fridge, oven, microwave? Window tracks? Light fixtures? Hand-wiped furniture?
A reputable company can hand you a written checklist. If they can't tell you specifically what's included, that's the warning sign — vague answers are how you end up with unmet expectations on the day.
2. How much will it cost?
Get a fixed quote in writing, not a rough estimate — the price should be confirmed before the team arrives, not adjusted afterward. Ask whether the quote is fixed or estimated, whether supplies are included, what happens if the job runs long, and whether tax is included in the number you're shown.
A price that seems unusually low is often a sign of corners being cut somewhere — no liability insurance, no formal training, no quality control. The risk isn't just a worse clean; it's an uninsured stranger in your home with no accountability if something breaks. At Blueseven, the price we quote before anyone enters your home is the price you pay — no add-ons, no surprises after the fact.
3. Are they insured?
Any company sending someone into your home should carry liability insurance. Cleaning means moving furniture, handling fragile items and working through every room — even a careful cleaner can make a mistake. Ask directly whether they carry general liability coverage, what happens if something's damaged, and ask to see a certificate of insurance. A legitimate company won't hesitate to provide one.
Blueseven carries $2M in general liability coverage on every job, and we're happy to send a certificate to condo boards or property managers who need one on file.
4. What happens if something's missed or goes wrong?
Every service company has an off day occasionally. What separates a good one from a bad one is what happens next — do they have a clear process, or do they get defensive? Ask what happens if you're unhappy with the clean, whether they offer a guarantee, and how quickly they respond.
Message us within 24 hours of your clean and we'll come back and put it right — free, no arguing, no invoice.
5. Who's actually coming into my home?
Letting someone into your house takes real trust — you have every right to know who's on the other side of that. Ask whether cleaners are background checked, whether they're employees or contractors, and how they're trained. A background check is a baseline standard for anyone given access to a private home; its absence usually signals a company running without proper systems, not just a gap in vetting.
Every Blueseven cleaner is background checked before their first job — no exceptions, applied to every hire the same way.
6. What payment methods do they accept?
Professional cleaning companies accept documented, traceable payment — invoices for every job, receipts after payment, and electronic options. A cash-only operation with no paperwork is harder to hold accountable if something goes wrong, and it's usually a sign of a less formal business. Payment at Blueseven is handled securely through Stripe: your card is authorised at booking and charged after the clean.
7. How do they handle feedback?
A quality company actively wants feedback — not just to resolve complaints, but to get your next visit closer to what you actually want. Ask how you're expected to flag issues, and whether your preferences get noted for future visits. This matters most if you're booking recurring service: you want a company that remembers your notes, not one that treats every visit like a stranger showing up for the first time.
Quick reference: what a good answer sounds like
What's included?
A written checklist, not a vague list
How much does it cost?
A fixed, all-in quote before booking
Are they insured?
Yes — certificate available on request
What if something goes wrong?
A clear guarantee with an actual process
Who's coming into my home?
Background-checked employees
How do I pay?
Electronic payment, invoice, receipt
A great cleaning service should reduce stress, not create it. Don't be afraid to ask any of this directly — a company worth booking will welcome the questions. The ones that get vague or defensive are telling you exactly how they'll handle a problem once they already have your money.
About Blueseven Cleaning Services
Blueseven provides professional home cleaning across North York, Toronto and the surrounding GTA. Every cleaner is background checked before their first job, every visit runs on a written checklist, and every clean is backed by our re-clean guarantee — message us within 24 hours and we'll come back and put it right, free.
Frequently asked questions
What questions should I ask a cleaning service before hiring them?
Ask what's included in the clean, whether the total cost is fixed, whether the company is insured, what happens if something's damaged, whether cleaners are background checked, what payment methods they accept, and how they handle feedback.
How do I know if a cleaning company is legitimate?
A legitimate cleaning company carries liability insurance, employs background-checked cleaners, gives you a written quote and invoice, and has an actual process for handling complaints — not just a promise. They should answer all of the above without hesitating.
What's a re-clean guarantee?
If you're not happy with part of your clean, you flag it within a set window — 24 hours at Blueseven — and the company returns to fix it at no charge. It's worth asking any company you're considering whether they offer this, and getting the window in writing.
Are cleaning companies in Ontario required to carry insurance?
No — it isn't a legal requirement, but any reputable company carries it anyway. If an uninsured company damages your property, you have no recourse. Always ask for proof before booking.
Should cleaners be background checked?
Yes — it's a basic trust and safety standard for anyone entering a private home for work. Every Blueseven cleaner is background checked before their first visit.
What's the difference between a standard clean and a deep clean?
A standard clean covers the everyday reset — kitchens, bathrooms, floors and common areas, from $159. A deep clean goes further: inside the oven and fridge, baseboards, grout and light fixtures, from $289. Most homes deep clean once or twice a year, or before starting a recurring schedule.
Ready to book with a team that answers all of these?
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