How to hire a house cleaner you can actually trust

Not every clean is the same job. A 'standard' clean is surface-level — wipe counters, vacuum floors, clean bathrooms and kitchen. A 'deep' clean includes baseboards, inside appliances, grout, and behind furniture. A 'move-out' clean is priced by the condition of the property and often includes cabinet interiors, oven, and windows.

Be specific when you reach out. 'Three-bedroom townhouse, pet hair, haven't had a professional in six months' gets you an accurate quote. 'How much for a clean?' gets you a guess.

Across most US metros, a recurring standard clean for a 1,000–1,500 sq ft home runs $120–$200. A first-time deep clean on the same home is $220–$400. Move-out cleans are typically 1.5–2× a deep clean.

Rates below those bands usually mean one of three things: the provider is brand new and building a book, they're skipping steps, or the quote is a teaser and the real price comes after they arrive. Rates far above the band are reasonable only for specialized work — post-construction, hoarding recovery, or homes over 3,500 sq ft.

1. Are you insured and bonded? (A real answer includes a carrier name.) 2. Do you bring supplies and equipment, or do I? 3. Is this a fixed price or hourly? If hourly, what's the minimum? 4. Who is actually coming — you, an employee, or a subcontractor? 5. What's your cancellation and reschedule policy?

If any answer is vague, move on. The best providers have these answers ready because they've been asked a hundred times.

Cash-only with no receipt. Quotes that jump significantly on arrival. No written scope. Vague answers about who's coming. A pro with a real business has a digital trail — invoices, a phone number that gets answered, and reviews you can find outside of one platform.

Clear counters and floors of personal items — your cleaner bills by what they can reach. Lock up anything precious, not because you don't trust them, but so nothing gets accidentally moved. Walk them through once on the first visit; after that, a note is enough.