We'd rather you ask every company these questions — including us — than pick on price alone. Here's what actually predicts a good experience.
The ten questions
- 1. Are you insured and bonded? Non-negotiable. Someone is in your home; if a pipe gets knocked or something breaks, "sorry" isn't a remedy. Ask for proof — a real company has it ready.
- 2. Are your cleaners background-checked? And are they employees or an ever-rotating gig pool? You want the same faces each visit.
- 3. Is the price flat or hourly? Hourly sounds cheaper until a three-hour estimate becomes five. A flat rate puts the risk on the company, where it belongs.
- 4. What exactly is included? Get a checklist in writing. "General cleaning" means whatever the cleaner decides at 3pm on a Friday. (Here's ours.)
- 5. What's your guarantee — specifically? "Satisfaction guaranteed" is a slogan. "Tell us within 24 hours and we re-clean it free" is a policy.
- 6. Will I have the same crew each time? Consistency is quality. A crew that knows your home cleans it better every visit.
- 7. Who supplies the products and equipment? Pros bring their own (and can accommodate yours). Ask about pet- and kid-safe options.
- 8. What's the cancellation policy? Fair notice windows (24–48 hours) are normal. Punitive policies or no policy at all are both red flags.
- 9. How do you handle keys and codes? There should be an actual answer — secure storage, limited access — not a shrug.
- 10. Can I see recent local reviews? Not testimonials on their own website — live Google reviews from your area, with the company responding to them.
Red flags worth walking away from
Cash-only pricing, quotes that require an in-home visit for a standard home, no written checklist, "we can start today!" desperation, and any hesitation on the insurance question.
Where we land on all ten
Insured and bonded, background-checked crews you'll know by name, flat-rate quotes in two minutes, a published 50-point checklist, a 24-hour re-clean guarantee, and 48-hour flexible rescheduling. Serving Lynchburg, Forest, Rustburg, Concord, Bedford and Madison Heights.