How to Choose a House Cleaner in San Diego
Published November 2026 · By Jason Ellis, Owner
Use this checklist to choose a house cleaner in San Diego with fewer surprises. It covers the eight things worth checking before anyone gets a key to your home, with a short answer under each question and the follow-up questions to ask.
How do you know a house cleaner has passed a background check?
Ask who runs the background check, what it searches and how recently it was done. Ask whether the company also checks references. A company that screens its cleaners should be able to explain its process plainly, even if it cannot share a person's report.
Also ask whether the same person comes each visit or whether different people come. Either can work, but you should know who will have your door code. If you will not be home, ask how keys, garage codes and lockbox codes are stored and who can see them.
Is flat-rate or hourly pricing better for house cleaning?
Flat-rate pricing gives you the total before the visit, so a slow clean does not cost more. Hourly pricing can make sense for unusual jobs that are hard to size up. Either way, get the price, or the rate, minimum hours and number of cleaners, in writing.
For a flat rate, ask what the price is based on: bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage and the type of clean. Ask what happens if the home is in a different condition than you described, and whether any change needs your approval before work starts.
For an hourly rate, ask whether the rate is per cleaner, how many hours they expect, and whether there is a minimum. In both cases, ask about extras such as inside the oven or fridge, parking, and high-rise building access, and when your card is charged.
What is the difference between a standard clean and a deep clean?
A standard clean keeps a home that is already in good shape clean: kitchen and bathroom surfaces, dusting and floors. A deep clean adds detail work such as baseboards, door frames and built-up grime. Many companies require a deep clean first if the home has not been professionally cleaned lately.
Two companies can use the same name for different work, so compare the checklist, not the label. Ask for a room-by-room list of what is included and what is not, such as inside cabinets, inside appliances, windows and laundry.
For an example of how a written checklist reads, see what a room-by-room cleaning checklist covers and deep cleaning vs. regular cleaning.
Should a house cleaner bring their own supplies?
Most cleaning services bring their own supplies and equipment, and the price usually includes them. Ask what they bring, whether they will use your products if you prefer, and whether any special equipment costs extra.
Tell the company about stone counters, hardwood floors, delicate finishes or anything else that needs a specific product. If someone in your home has allergies or is sensitive to scents, ask which products are used and whether the cleaner can use ones you provide.
What should a satisfaction guarantee cover?
A useful guarantee says how long you have to report a problem, what the company will do about it, and whether that costs anything. A common promise is a free re-clean of the missed areas when you report them within a set time after the visit.
Ask for the guarantee in writing. Ask whether you need to send photos, how fast they come back, and whether a refund is ever offered. Report problems quickly, because most guarantees have a deadline.
What cancellation terms should you look for?
Look for a clear notice period, the fee for a late cancellation or reschedule, and whether there is a contract or a minimum number of visits. Good terms are written down before you book, not explained after a charge appears.
Ask what happens if the company has to cancel on you, how to pause or stop a recurring schedule, and whether a text or email counts as notice. Read the terms page before your first visit, not after.
How should you read house cleaning reviews?
Read recent reviews on more than one site, and read the low ratings, not just the star average. Look for patterns such as missed areas, late arrivals or billing surprises, and see how the company replied. A few detailed reviews tell you more than many short ones.
Check that the reviews mention the service you want. A strong record on move-out cleans says little about weekly visits. Be careful with a large burst of reviews posted over a few days, and with reviews that never mention any detail of the actual clean.
What questions should you ask before booking a house cleaner?
Ask about background checks, the price and what it is based on, the checklist for your service, supplies, the guarantee, cancellation fees and who will come. Get the answers in writing, by email or text, before the first visit.
- Who runs your background checks, and do you also check references?
- Is the price flat or hourly? What is it based on, and what could change it?
- What does this service include, room by room, and what is not included?
- Do you bring supplies and equipment, and does anything cost extra?
- What does your guarantee cover, and how soon do I need to report a problem?
- How much notice do you need to cancel or reschedule, and what is the fee?
- Will the same cleaner come each time?
- How do you handle keys, codes and pets?
- When is my card charged?
How does Bravo Maids handle this checklist?
Bravo Maids uses flat-rate pricing, and any change needs your approval before work starts. Our cleaners are background-checked, and we check references. Contact us within 24 hours of your cleaning and we will come back to re-clean the areas in question at no charge.
See our flat-rate pricing and cleaning promise, or request a booking.
Bravo Maids600 B St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 853-3200
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Book your first cleaning today and discover why San Diego families trust Bravo Maids for a healthier, happier home.
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Last reviewed: November 2026