How to choose a cleaning company

By Northern Tech Ltd · Published 2026-09-04 · Updated 2026-09-04 · 7 min read

Choose a cleaning company by four criteria: insurance and background checks, consistency of team, transparent pricing, and a clear list of what's included. Everything else is a bonus.

The four things that matter

1. Insurance and vetting — public liability insurance, plus reference or background checks on the cleaners entering your home.
2. Consistency of team — the same one or two cleaners each visit, not a rotating cast.
3. Transparent pricing — a per-visit price agreed in writing, not a vague hourly rate that drifts.
4. Clear scope — a written list of what is (and isn't) included, plus what costs extra.

Questions to ask before booking

• Are your cleaners employed by you or self-employed sub-contractors?
• Do you carry public liability insurance? What's the cover level?
• How do you vet cleaners before they enter customers' homes?
• Will the same cleaner(s) come each visit? Who covers if they're off sick?
• Do you bring your own equipment and products, or use mine?
• What's your policy if something is broken or missed?
• How much notice do you need to cancel or reschedule?

Red flags

• No written quote or scope.
• Cash-only.
• Vague answers on insurance.
• No fixed team — cleaners change every visit.
• No process for missed cleans or breakages.

Company vs independent cleaner

Independent cleaners are often 10–25% cheaper per hour. But when they're on holiday or off sick, the visit doesn't happen — you cover the sourcing, insurance check and cover yourself. A company handles all of that, and usually carries proper public liability insurance.

If you want the lowest price and are prepared to manage cover, an independent cleaner is a good choice. If you want reliability and don't want to manage anything, a company is worth the premium.