Twelve questions to ask before booking a cleaner
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read · EveryMaid editorial
Short answer
Five minutes of specific questions before booking prevents almost every common complaint about cleaning services. Ask what is included and what costs extra, whether you get the same cleaner each visit, who supplies products, whether they are insured, and what the cancellation window is.
Scope and time
Start with what is included, because that is where nearly every dispute begins. Get the answer in tasks, not adjectives.
- What exactly is included at this price, and what is an add-on?
- How many cleaners are coming, and for how many hours?
- What happens if the job runs longer than booked? Do I approve the overage first?
- Is inside the oven and refrigerator included, or extra?
People and supplies
Consistency predicts long-term satisfaction better than almost anything else. A different person every visit means re-explaining your preferences every visit.
- Will I have the same cleaner each time?
- Are your cleaners employees or independent contractors?
- Do you bring supplies and equipment, or should I provide them?
- Can you use products I supply if someone here has sensitivities?
Logistics and terms
These are the questions that matter on the day something goes wrong, which is exactly when it is too late to ask them.
- Are you insured, and can you send a certificate of insurance?
- How do you handle building access and keys?
- What is the cancellation window, and what is the fee?
- How do I report a problem, and will you redo work?
Common questions
Is it rude to ask a cleaner for proof of insurance?
No. Established companies get asked for a certificate of insurance constantly by building managers and produce it as routine paperwork. Treating it as normal administration is both accurate and the easiest way to ask.
What is a typical cancellation window for NYC cleaners?
Twenty-four to forty-eight hours is standard, with a fee of half the visit cost or a flat $30 to $50 inside that window. Get the number before you book rather than after you need to cancel.
Keep reading
- How to vet a cleaning service in New YorkThe questions that reveal whether a cleaning company is legitimate, covering insurance, staffing, screening, and what to do when something goes wrong.
- How much house cleaning costs in NYC in 2026Typical hourly and flat rates for apartment cleaning in New York City, what changes the price, and how to tell a fair quote from a bad one.
Prices and practices in this guide are general to New York City and change over time. Confirm anything that affects your booking with the provider before you hire them. Browse cleaners.