Before you hire a house cleaner, ask four things: are you insured (and for how much), how are cleaners screened, how is the price worked out, and exactly what's included. Good answers are specific and in writing. Walk away from cash-only, no-insurance or no-checklist offers.
Letting someone into your home is a big decision, and in Metro Vancouver you have plenty of options: independent cleaners, cleaning companies and booking apps. The right questions sort them out fast. Here are the ones that matter, what a good answer sounds like, and the red flags to walk away from.
Your three options
| Option | How it usually works | Worth checking |
|---|---|---|
| Independent cleaner | One person you hire directly, often found by referral or a local listing | Insurance, who covers when they're sick, how pricing works |
| Cleaning company | A business that screens cleaners and sends one to you | How cleaners are screened, what the insurance covers, the cancellation policy |
| Booking app or marketplace | A platform that connects you with cleaners who set their own rates | Who is responsible if something goes wrong — the app or the cleaner |
None of these is automatically better. What matters is whether the answers to the questions below are clear and in writing.
10 questions to ask before you book
1. Are you insured, and for how much?
Ask specifically about liability insurance, which covers damage to your home or belongings. A good answer names the type and the amount. Good Maid carries $2M in commercial general liability insurance on every booking.
2. How do you screen your cleaners?
"They're all great" isn't an answer. Ask what's actually checked. Good answers include ID verification, contacting references and a criminal background check. Our cleaners go through all three before their first job, and every cleaner signs a contractor agreement.
3. How is the price worked out?
Hourly pricing means the final bill depends on how long the job takes. A flat price based on your home's size and the type of clean means you know the total up front. Either can be fine — just know which one you're getting, and whether supplies or tax are extra. See what house cleaning costs in Vancouver for real numbers.
4. Exactly what's included?
Ask for the checklist. "Deep clean" means different things at different companies — does it include inside the oven and fridge? Inside cabinets? Baseboards? Our deep clean checklist lists ours item by item.
5. Do you bring supplies and equipment?
Many companies do; some independent cleaners expect you to provide them. If you have preferences — scent-free, eco-friendly, or products for natural stone — say so up front.
6. Will I get the same cleaner each time?
For regular cleaning, a familiar cleaner learns your home and works faster. Ask whether that's a promise or a "whenever possible", and what happens when they're away.
7. What happens if something isn't done right?
A good company tells you exactly how to raise it and how they'll fix it. Ours is simple: tell us within 24 hours, and we'll send your cleaner back to fix anything that was missed, free.
8. What if something gets damaged?
Ask how to report it, how quickly, and who pays. This is where insurance matters. Our policy is to report it within 24 hours of the clean, and we'll look into it right away.
9. What's the cancellation policy?
Plans change. Know the notice period before you book. With Good Maid, cancelling 24 or more hours ahead gets you a full refund.
10. Can I read reviews?
Look for reviews on a platform the company doesn't control, like Google, and read the recent ones. Check how the company replies to problems, not just how many stars it has.
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Get my instant price →Red flags
- Cash only, no receipt. You have no record if something goes wrong.
- No proof of insurance, or a vague "we're covered".
- Price only after a home visit for a standard home, or a quote that changes on the day.
- No written checklist of what's included.
- Can't tell you who's coming or how they were screened.
- Pressure to sign a long contract for regular cleaning.
Make the first clean count
Once you've chosen, book a deep clean as the first visit if it's been a while — it sets the baseline. Leave clear notes about entry, pets and priorities (our guide on preparing for a house cleaner has a checklist), then walk through afterwards and give honest feedback. If it's a good fit, a recurring plan keeps the same standard every visit.
We clean across Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver and 14 more cities.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a house cleaner before hiring?
Ask about liability insurance, how cleaners are screened, how the price is worked out, exactly what's included, who brings supplies, what happens if something is missed or damaged, and the cancellation policy.
Should a house cleaner have insurance?
Yes. Liability insurance covers damage to your home or belongings. Ask for the type and the amount — Good Maid carries $2M in commercial general liability insurance.
How do I know a cleaning company's cleaners are safe?
Ask what's checked. Good answers include ID verification, contacting references and a criminal background check before the first job.
Is it better to hire an independent cleaner or a company?
Either can work well. A company usually handles screening, insurance and backup cleaners for you; with an independent, check those yourself.
Should I be home for the first clean?
It's up to you. Many people are home for the first visit to walk the cleaner through, then leave entry details for later visits.
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