Handing over keys or a garage code to a cleaning company is an act of trust, and it’s reasonable to want answers before you commit to a recurring relationship. A short conversation upfront — or even a quick look at a company’s website and booking flow — can tell you a lot about how they operate. Here’s what’s worth asking.
Is the Company Licensed and Insured?
This is the baseline question, and it’s a fair one to ask directly rather than assume. A licensed and insured company has some accountability structure behind it if something goes wrong. Arlington Home Cleaning is licensed and insured, and we’re happy to confirm that any time a prospective client asks — it’s a reasonable thing to want in writing before someone works inside your home.
What’s Actually Included in the Price?
“House cleaning” means different things to different companies. Ask specifically what’s covered in a standard visit versus what counts as an add-on — things like inside the oven, inside the fridge, interior windows, or baseboards often aren’t automatic. We’ve broken this down in more detail in How to Read a Cleaning Quote: Questions Worth Asking, which walks through the line items that tend to catch people off guard.
How Is Pricing Structured?
Ask whether pricing is a flat rate, hourly, or based on square footage, and whether there’s a minimum. For reference, our standard cleanings start at a $150 minimum, deep cleanings at $250, and move-in/move-out cleanings at $300, with the final price depending on the size and condition of the home. Recurring service also comes with a built-in discount — 15% off weekly, 10% off biweekly, 5% off monthly — which is worth asking about if you’re considering ongoing service rather than a one-time visit.
Who’s Actually Doing the Cleaning?
Some companies send employees, others work with independent contractors, and some subcontract out entirely without telling you. It’s a fair question to ask directly: who will be in my home, and is it the same person or team each visit? Consistency matters more than people expect — a cleaner who’s been in your home before knows your preferences, your pets, and which cabinet the vacuum lives in.
What Happens If You’re Not Satisfied?
Ask any company you’re considering what their process looks like if a visit doesn’t meet expectations — do they come back out, is there a way to flag specific rooms, who do you contact. Getting a clear answer before you book, rather than after a disappointing visit, tells you a lot about how seriously a company treats feedback.
How Do They Handle Scheduling, Access, and Changes?
Ask how you’ll get into contact if you need to reschedule, what access method they use (lockbox, code, key), and how far in advance you need to give notice for changes. A company that has clear, simple answers to these logistics questions is usually easier to work with long-term than one that’s vague about it.
Red Flags Worth Noticing
A few answers should give you pause rather than reassurance. Vague or evasive responses about licensing and insurance, pressure to book immediately without walking you through what’s actually included, no clear way to reach a real person if something goes wrong, and pricing that’s dramatically lower than every other quote you’ve gotten are all worth treating as warning signs rather than a bargain. A company that can’t clearly explain its own process is usually one you’ll end up managing more closely than one you can simply rely on.
Bring the List With You
None of these questions are meant to be adversarial — a company that’s worth hiring should be glad to answer all of them plainly. If you’re comparing a few options in Arlington or the wider Northern Virginia area, our FAQ page covers most of what we get asked before a first booking, and it’s a reasonable benchmark for what any company should be able to answer clearly. When you’re ready, you can get a quote through our online booking page or reach us directly at 571-350-0866.