Letting someone into your home is a big decision, and a price quote alone will not tell you much. Two companies can quote the same number and deliver very different results, because one includes the oven and baseboards and the other does not.
These twelve questions fix that. They take about ten minutes to ask by phone or email, and the answers show you who is organized, who is honest, and who will still be there when something needs fixing.
What this post covers:
- Questions about insurance, bonding, and background checks
- Questions about the checklist, products, and add-ons
- Questions about pricing, booking, and cancellation
- What a good answer sounds like, and what to watch for
Trust and Protection
1. Are you insured and bonded? A good answer is a plain yes, with an offer to share proof. If the answer is vague, move on. Our post on what insured and bonded mean explains why each one matters.
2. Are your cleaners background checked? You are giving people access to your home. A company should be able to say how its cleaners are screened.
3. What happens if something is damaged or goes missing? Accidents are rare, but the answer shows the process. Look for a clear way to report it, ideally within a day, and a company that takes responsibility to review it.
The Work Itself
4. What is on the checklist for my visit? Ask for it in writing. If the answer is "everything," ask about specific items: inside the microwave, baseboards, interior windows, blinds, ceiling fans.
5. What counts as an add-on? Common extras are the inside of the oven, interior windows, laundry, dishes, wall washing, and pet stains. Know which ones cost more before you book.
6. What products do you use, and can I request changes? If you have kids, pets, allergies, or a surface that needs special care, say so. Ask whether any products are off-limits, such as bleach. Sunshine Clean & Care does not use bleach on standard services.
7. What do you not do? Every company has limits. Common ones are moving heavy furniture, cleaning biological waste, and very large homes. A company that tells you its limits up front is easier to trust than one that promises everything.
Price and Booking
8. How do you set the price? Typical factors are bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, pets, and condition. Be honest about condition. A price based on a tidy home will change if the home needs much more work.
9. Is there a deposit, and what is the cancellation policy? Deep cleans and other long jobs often require a deposit to hold the date. Ask what the notice period is and what happens if you need to reschedule.
10. How do you handle the first visit versus regular visits? A first clean often takes longer and costs more than the ones that follow. Our post on what to expect from your first house cleaning covers the usual pattern.
Want to ask us these questions? Call Sunshine Clean & Care and ask anything on this list. We will answer in plain words and put the checklist in writing.
After the Clean
11. What if something is missed? Ask how and when to report it. A clear window, a way to send photos, and a promise to come back and fix the specific spot are signs of a company that stands behind its work. Sunshine Clean & Care has a satisfaction guarantee that is a re-clean guarantee, with details on that page.
12. How will we communicate? Ask about arrival windows, reminders, and how to reach someone on the day. Clear communication prevents most problems.
What to Have Ready When You Call
The call goes faster, and the quote is more accurate, if you have a few details ready: the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the rough square footage, whether you have pets, the condition of the home, and the date you want. Have photos on your phone if you can. Tell them about any surface that needs special care, and anything you want skipped. The more you share, the less the quote will change later.
A Simple Way to Compare Two Quotes
Put the answers side by side in a short note. For each company write down the price, what is on the checklist, which items are add-ons, how they handle a miss, and whether they are insured and bonded. Two minutes later you will see what the price really buys.
One quick test is to ask both companies the same thing: "What would you do about the inside of the oven and the baseboards?" The answer shows whether those jobs are in the base price, extra, or not offered. A lower quote that leaves them out is not really lower.
Finally, trust the first conversation. A company that listens, asks about your pets, your kids, and the condition of your home, and gives you honest limits is likely to run the same way once it is in your house.
How to Read the Answers
- Good signs: plain answers, willingness to put things in writing, clear limits, and no pressure to book on the spot.
- Warning signs: a price with no questions asked about your home, refusing to say whether they are insured and bonded, promises that sound too perfect, or no written checklist.
- Gut check: if the person on the phone cannot explain what they do in simple words, the work may not be organized either.
You can also compare companies side by side. Read maid service vs house cleaning service if the different names confuse you, and see our FAQ for common questions we get about booking.
Ready for a clear answer to every question on this list? Call or send your home details. We will walk through the checklist, the add-ons, and the policies before you decide.
