Qualifications That Any Reliable Cleaning Service Should Have

Some people are lucky enough to actually enjoy cleaning their homes. For everybody else, hiring a cleaner can sound like a dream come true. But that's only if you find the right cleaner — one that you can trust to come into the privacy of your home and get the job done right.

Professional house cleaners can help with a range of dirty tasks, and the exact services provided will depend on the company and contract. You can choose to either work with an individual or sign on with a cleaning company. If you want someone to help with your laundry, dishes, and other household tasks, consider hiring a housekeeper instead. Once you have a general idea of what type of service you want, you can start the process of hiring a professional cleaning service and vetting their qualifications. To make sure you're hiring a reliable cleaning service, look for three key qualifications: licensing, insurance, and references.

The first thing to look for is licensing. Any reputable cleaner should be licensed to legally do business in your city and state, which may include an up-to-date vendor's license and a "doing business as" (DBA) license. The only exceptions may be if a business license isn't required for cleaning services in your area. Otherwise, a lack of proper licensing is a red flag for unprofessionalism.

In addition to licensing, professional cleaners need to carry insurance, including liability and workers' compensation. This provides coverage in case they injure themselves on your property or damage something in your home. Otherwise, you could file a claim with your homeowners insurance, but that would raise your rates. There's also no guarantee that your insurance won't leave you with the bill instead, depending on the circumstance. 

Many cleaning services also advertise that they're bonded, which is different from insurance. Bonds provide coverage if the cleaner steals something from your home or doesn't complete the job as promised. You'd be entitled to file a claim with the bond company to recoup expenses. While insurance is more vital than bonding, having both is a green flag. They provide a third party to help you mediate disputes without having to negotiate with the cleaner directly. This is especially important if you have expensive or delicate belongings in your home.

Lastly, look for a cleaner with stellar references. This helps you verify that they have experience in the type of cleaning that you need. It also shows that they're skilled enough to have a roster of happy clients already. Getting a referral from someone you trust is even better since you can be confident that the recommendation is genuine. You can also read reviews online or ask for recommendations on your neighborhood group on Facebook or Nextdoor. Look for key qualities like communication, attention to detail, and professionalism.