Questions to Ask a Cleaning Company

Choosing the right cleaning company is easier when you know what to ask. The right questions can help you understand exactly what is included, check that the company is properly insured and experienced, and avoid unexpected costs or problems later. This guide covers the key questions to ask a cleaning company before you hire them.

6 min read

Written by The Cleaning Site

Last updated: September 2026

In This Guide

1. Are You Fully Insured?

One of the first questions to ask a cleaning company is whether they are properly insured. Professional cleaning companies should have appropriate insurance to protect both their business and their customers if something goes wrong.

Ask whether the company has public liability insurance and, where relevant, employers’ liability insurance for its staff. You can also ask what happens if something is accidentally damaged while the cleaning is being carried out.

A reputable cleaning company should be comfortable answering questions about its insurance and explaining the cover it has in place. If you are arranging commercial cleaning, your organisation may also require evidence of insurance before work can begin.

Don’t be afraid to ask for confirmation of cover if you need it. Insurance is an important part of choosing a professional cleaning company and shouldn’t simply be assumed.

2. How Much Experience Do You Have?

Experience can be particularly important when you need a specific type of cleaning. A company that regularly cleans offices, schools or commercial premises, for example, may have different experience from one that mainly provides domestic cleaning.

Ask how long the company has been operating and whether it has experience with properties or cleaning requirements similar to yours. For specialist services, you may also want to ask about relevant training, equipment and cleaning methods.

A newer cleaning company should not automatically be ruled out, but it should still be able to explain its experience and how it will provide the service you require.

The aim is to find a company that understands your requirements and can demonstrate that it has the knowledge and ability to carry out the work properly.

3. What Is Included in the Cleaning Service?

Before agreeing to a cleaning service, make sure you understand exactly what is included. The term “standard cleaning” can mean different things to different companies, so it is better to ask than to assume.

Find out which rooms and areas will be cleaned and which tasks will be completed during each visit. You may also want to ask whether less frequent jobs, such as skirting boards, internal windows, appliances or high-level dusting, are included or charged separately.

For regular cleaning, a written cleaning specification or checklist can be particularly useful. It gives both you and the cleaning company a clear understanding of what should be completed and how often.

If there are particular areas or tasks that are important to you, discuss them before accepting the quote so they can be included in the agreed service.

4. Do You Provide Cleaning Products and Equipment?

Ask whether the cleaning company provides its own cleaning products and equipment or whether you will be expected to supply anything. This can vary between individual cleaners and professional cleaning companies.

If products and equipment are included, ask whether their cost is already included in the quotation. For regular commercial cleaning, you may also want to clarify who supplies consumable items such as toilet rolls, hand soap and paper towels, as these are often treated separately from the cleaning service.

If you have particular requirements, such as environmentally friendly products or products suitable for specific surfaces, allergies or sensitive environments, discuss these before the service begins.

Knowing exactly what the cleaning company will provide helps you compare quotations accurately and prevents unexpected additional costs later.

5. Who Will Be Cleaning My Property?

It is worth asking who will actually carry out the cleaning, particularly if you are arranging a regular service. Some companies aim to send the same cleaner or cleaning team each time, while others may use different staff depending on availability.

Ask how cleaners are selected, trained and supervised, and whether the company carries out appropriate checks before allowing staff to work in customers’ homes or workplaces.

For environments such as schools, care settings or other premises involving vulnerable people, you may also need to ask whether relevant staff have appropriate DBS checks where required.

You should also find out what happens if your usual cleaner is unavailable. A professional cleaning company should have a clear process for arranging cover and maintaining the agreed service.

6. How Do You Handle Problems or Complaints?

Even with a reliable cleaning company, there may occasionally be something you are unhappy with. What matters is how quickly and professionally the company deals with the problem.

Ask who you should contact if there is an issue and what process the company follows for resolving complaints. For regular cleaning services, it is useful to know whether there is a supervisor or manager responsible for checking standards and dealing with customer feedback.

You can also ask what happens if an area is missed or the cleaning does not meet the agreed standard. A professional company should be willing to discuss concerns and explain how it will put things right.

Clear communication from the beginning can make a significant difference and helps prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones.

7. Are There Any Additional Charges?

Before accepting a quote, ask whether there are any additional charges that may not be included in the advertised or quoted price. This can help you avoid unexpected costs later.

Depending on the service, additional charges might apply for parking, travel, cleaning products, specialist equipment, weekend or evening work, or tasks that fall outside the normal cleaning specification.

For one-off services such as deep cleaning or end of tenancy cleaning, ask whether services such as oven cleaning, carpet cleaning or internal window cleaning are included or priced separately.

It is also worth confirming whether the quoted price includes VAT where applicable. The clearer the pricing is from the beginning, the easier it will be to compare different cleaning companies fairly.

8. Can You Provide a Written Quote?

Before agreeing to a cleaning service, ask for the price and details of the work in writing. A written quote gives you a clear record of what has been agreed and makes it easier to compare different cleaning companies.

The quote should clearly explain the price, the cleaning tasks or specification, how often the service will be provided and whether cleaning products and equipment are included. Any additional or optional services should also be clearly identified.

For regular cleaning contracts, check whether there is a minimum contract period, notice period or any terms relating to price increases or cancellation. For one-off cleaning, confirm when payment is required and whether there are any cancellation charges.

Take the time to read the quotation and terms before agreeing to the service. If anything is unclear, ask the cleaning company to explain it before you proceed.

Quick Checklist: Choosing a Cleaning Company

Are you fully insured?
Do you have experience with the type of cleaning I need?
Exactly what is included in the service?
Do you provide cleaning products and equipment?
Who will be carrying out the cleaning?
What happens if my usual cleaner is unavailable?
Are there any additional charges?
Can you provide the quote and service details in writing?

Ask Questions Before You Choose

A professional cleaning company should be happy to answer your questions and explain clearly how its service works. Taking a little time to ask the right questions before you agree to anything can help you understand exactly what you are paying for and what you can expect.

Compare companies carefully, check important details such as insurance and pricing, and make sure the proposed cleaning service meets your requirements.

When you’re ready to continue your search, browse our Cleaning Guides for more helpful advice, or discover cleaning companies and services in your area.

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