1. How long have you been in business?

Businesses with poor customer service records typically go out of business quickly. If a business has been around for awhile then odds are they know how to satisfy their customers. This does not necessarily mean that a new company won’t do a good job however.

1. Does your company have references I can check?

The answer to this question should be yes. Any company worth its salt will have a long list of satisfied customers to be used as references. Be wary of any company that cannot or refuses to provide you with references. And remember to check these references!

1. Is your company licensed?

Again the answer to this question should be yes. All businesses are required by state law to be licensed. A cleaning service should be able to easily provide you with proof of their business license.

1. Is your company insured?

Not all cleaning service companies carry insurance, but it is highly recommended that you choose one that does. Insurance protects you against liability if an employee is injured while working in your home or office. It also protects your personal property against any damage the company does while working.

1. Are your employees bonded?

Again, this is not necessary but it is important to know. If a company has bonded employees then they will be held financially responsible if an employee steals something from you.

1. Do you perform background checks on your employees?

These employees will be entering your home or office, so you want to know if any one of them has a criminal background. You also want to make sure that any employee that is entering your home or office is legally able to work in the United States, so that you do not break any tax laws by hiring them.

Taking the time to ask a few questions before you hire a cleaning service could save you a good deal of time and trouble down the road.

1. Is the company legally licensed to operate in your state?

All businesses are required by their individual state to be licensed. House cleaning services are no different. If you hire an unlicensed cleaning service “under the table” you will be putting yourself at risk legally. It is important that a business be fully licensed to work in your home. You can find out if a cleaning service is fully licensed by asking for proof of their license. They should provide it to you. You can also check with your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau to find out licensing information.

1. Is the company bonded and insured?

Not all cleaning services will be bonded and insured, but it is a very good idea to hire one that is. When a company sends bonded employees into your home, the company is financially responsible if one of the employees steals something from your home. Insurance covers the healthy and safety of the employees while they are working in your home. It can also cover any damage to your personal property that may occur as a result of the employee’s work. If you hire a company that is not insured, and an accident occurs to an employee while they are in your home, you could be held financially responsible.

1. Does the company use employees or subcontractors?

This is important to know. Company employees are under the direct control of the company. The company is responsible for training them, insuring them and providing them with the necessary coverage owed to them by the law. This includes workers compensation and minimum wage payments. On the other hand, a subcontractor cannot be legally trained by the company and may not be under their direct control. A subcontractor may also not be treated fairly by the company. Because of all of these reasons, it is highly recommended that you choose a house cleaning service that uses employees over subcontractors.

Use the internet. The internet makes it easy to search for businesses that operate in your area. Use Bing, Google or Yahoo to locate several cleaning service companies in your region. Then take a look at their websites to find out what information you can.

Go with traditional advertising. Traditional advertising is a good way to find more than one cleaning service in your area. Traditional advertising techniques can include TV commercials, newspaper and magazine ads, brochures, flyers and signs. These are another good place to find potential cleaning service companies.

Once you have a list of 3-7 potential cleaning service companies, your job is only half done. Now you need to research and interview each company in order to determine which will do the best job for the best price.