How to choose a cleaner in the UK — 8 questions to ask before you book
Who's actually doing the work, DBS checks, payment timing, and the red flags that mean you should walk away. A practical guide for first-time customers.
Picking a cleaner sounds easy until you realise the average UK domestic cleaning quote varies by 3-4× between providers for the same job. Here's how to tell whether the cheap quote is cheap because they're good, or cheap because they're cutting corners.
1. Will you get one clear price before anything starts?
A quote you can check should break the job down into the bits that actually change the price — size, rooms, extras — and say what happens if the scope changes. If the only number you're given is "from £X", ask what moves it. And if the price changes mid-job without someone asking you first, that's the wrong company.
2. Are the cleaners DBS-checked?
DBS checks aren't legally required for cleaners entering a domestic property (only for working with children / vulnerable adults). But reputable companies do them anyway. Ask when the check was done — anything older than 3 years should be re-run.
3. Who's actually doing the work?
Some companies use subcontractors. Some use employees. Some use a marketplace of self-employed cleaners. All three are valid, but you should know which. The risk with subcontractor-heavy models: the company has no direct employment relationship with the person in your home, which can complicate things if something goes wrong (a missing item, an injury, a complaint).
4. When do you pay?
The safe pattern: a small deposit (10-20%) at booking, the rest on completion.If anyone asks for full payment up front, walk away. Reputable cleaners don't need your money to buy the cleaning spray.
5. What's the cancellation policy?
Anything inside 24 hours should be free or near-free — that's industry standard. The only legitimate kill-fee is the actual cost of paying the cleaner for a wasted slot, which is usually £30-50, not the full job.
6. Can you supply your own products, or must you use theirs?
If you have allergies, pets, or specific eco requirements, this matters. Companies that insist on their own products are usually fine — they buy in bulk and the products work — but you should know upfront.
7. What happens if you're not happy?
Every legitimate company has a satisfaction guarantee. Look for one that says "we'll re-do the work free, or refund, your choice." The "re-do" part matters because often the issue is a missed corner, not a bad job overall.
8. Are you VAT-registered?
Below the VAT threshold (£90k turnover), small cleaners don't charge VAT. If your quote says "VAT included" and they're not registered, that's a red flag — they're pocketing the tax.
The red flag shortcut
If the quote is 30%+ below the going rate, something is wrong. Often it's cash-in-hand work (no paperwork, no audit trail if something goes missing), sometimes it's just inexperience and they'll underdeliver.
We employ our cleaners across the UK — vetted and reference-checked, with a satisfaction guarantee on every job. See what we charge.