8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Cleaning Company

Every Cleaning Company Says They're "Reliable." Here's How to Check.

You've seen the pitches: "Quality service. Reliable crews. Customer satisfaction." But when your lobby is dirty at 7 AM, those words don't help. Whether you're managing a building in New York or California, here are 8 questions that separate the pros from the no-shows.

1. "What does your insurance actually cover?"

Right answer: "$1M general liability AND active workers' comp." Red flag: "We're fully insured" without specifics.

2. "How do you handle no-shows?"

Right answer: "Backup crews with same-night coverage." Red flag: "It doesn't happen often."

3. "How do you verify the work was done?"

Right answer: Documented checklists, time-stamped logs — ideally NFC-verified proof of work. Red flag: "We trust our people."

4. "Who do I call when something goes wrong?"

Right answer: A specific person with a direct number. Red flag: A generic 800 number.

5. "Can I see your cleaning scope document?"

Right answer: Room-by-room breakdown. Red flag: "We'll make sure everything is clean."

6. "What's your employee turnover rate?"

Right answer: Below industry average. Red flag: Evasion.

7. "Do you lock me into a long-term contract?"

Right answer: Month-to-month. Red flag: Multi-year with heavy termination fees.

8. "How does your pricing compare to national averages?"

Right answer: They can explain their pricing model based on your specific facility type and region. Red flag: "We just charge $X per square foot."

See What You Should Be Paying (Nationwide)

Before you hire a cleaning company, know what your facility should actually cost to clean. Get a transparent, national-average benchmarked quote using our free audit tool.

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