How to hire a house cleaner
House cleaning ranges from a recurring visit that keeps a home on top of itself to a deep clean before a move, after building work, or at the end of a tenancy.
What the job usually involves
- Recurring: weekly, fortnightly or monthly maintenance cleans.
- Deep clean: inside appliances, skirting, grout, behind and under furniture.
- Move-in or move-out, including end-of-tenancy standards.
- Post-construction dust removal.
- Add-ons: interior windows, laundry, inside the fridge or oven.
What to ask before you agree to anything
- What exactly is on the checklist, and what counts as an extra?
- Do you bring your own supplies and equipment, or use mine?
- Is it the same cleaner each visit?
- Are you insured, and what happens if something is broken?
- How much notice do I need to give to skip or cancel a visit?
Warning signs
- A price quoted per hour with no idea how many hours the place needs.
- No written checklist, so "clean" means whatever they did.
- A recurring contract with no clear cancellation terms.
- No insurance, in a job that involves being alone in your home.
Common questions
How much does a house cleaning cost?
It depends on size, condition and whether it is a first deep clean or a recurring visit — a first clean is almost always more than the ones after it. Ask for a quote based on your actual home rather than a per-room price list, and get it in writing with the checklist attached.
What is the difference between a standard and a deep clean?
A standard clean maintains surfaces you see: floors, counters, bathrooms, dusting. A deep clean adds the things done a few times a year — inside appliances, grout, skirting boards, behind furniture. Most cleaners want a deep clean first, then maintain from there.
Should I tip a house cleaner?
It is common but not expected in the way restaurant tipping is, and independent cleaners who set their own rates often have it built in. If someone does a notably good job, a tip is welcome; consistent work and a good review matter more to a small business.
How does Region Beacon work for house cleaners?
You describe the job once. The first nearby business that takes it gets your details and contacts you; nobody else does. You deal with whoever you pick directly, and you pay them directly — Region Beacon never handles the money and takes no commission, so nothing is added to your price for using it.
How do I know if a house cleaner's quote is fair?
Get more than one. A single quote tells you what one business charges; three tell you what the job is worth where you live. Ask each for the same scope in writing, and treat a quote far below the others as probably missing something rather than a bargain.
Get quotes from house cleaners near you
Describe the job once and the first nearby business to take it contacts you. Only that one gets your details, no commission is added, and your details are not sold on to anyone.