(1)  Assure that the company is bonded and carries a high limit liability policy with a reputable insurance company.

(2)  Verify that ‘service providers’ are employees of the company and not independent contractors.

(3)  Verify that the company pays Worker’s Compensation Insurance and all applicable federal and local taxes for it’s employees.

(4)  Ask if the company offers a service guarantee, standing by the work they do. 

(5)  Ask about the cleaning products used by the company.  Make sure products are safe for children and pets.

(6)  Ask the company if they have a ‘satisfaction policy’ for ‘re-cleans’ for specific aspects of cleaning that you feel were not performed to the agreed upon terms, and conditions of a service agreement.

(7)  Ask the maid services company if they have a regular company training program that is ongoing.

(8)  Ask the company for customer references who have had work performed similar to yours.

(9)  When selecting a house cleaning services company, you are picking a company you can trust as much as selecting a company that will do a professional job of cleaning.  Your home is your domain, and very personal.  Make sure you are comfortable with the company that will be in your home.

(10)  Use a well known and reputable company who you can always contact or find in the future for any reason. You want an established company with an office that you can go to if you ever need personal contact.  Check out the address of the contractor and see how long they have been in the area.

(11)  Pay contractors by check or credit card.  Avoid on the spot cash payments.  In fact, avoid all cash payments, as there is no paper trail of payment to protect you.  If a representative of a company or even a manager of a company requests any form of cash payment, this should be a major ‘red flag’ of caution to you as a consumer.