Hiring a cleaner
Hiring a cleaning service in Edmonton: 8 questions to ask first
Before you book a cleaning service in Edmonton, ask these 8 questions about insurance, supplies, scheduling, and re-clean policy. The short interview that prevents most regrets.
TL;DR
Most cleaning disappointments in Edmonton trace back to questions that were never asked at the quote stage. These eight questions — insurance, supplies, team continuity, re-clean policy, cancellation, GST, payment, references — surface the dealbreakers in under five minutes.
Edmonton has roughly 200 cleaning operators ranging from solo freelancers to corporate franchises. The price spread is wide, but the experience spread is wider. The eight questions below sort serious operators from improvised ones.
What to ask before you book
- Are you licensed in Alberta, bonded, and insured for at least $2 million in general liability?
- Do you bring all your own supplies and equipment, or do I need to supply anything?
- Will the same cleaners come every visit?
- What happens if I am not happy with a specific area?
- What is your cancellation policy if I need to reschedule?
- Are prices GST-inclusive, and is there a travel fee?
- How do I pay, and do you require a deposit for first-time customers?
- Can you share three recent references in my neighbourhood?
What good answers sound like
A serious operator answers all eight without hesitation. The licensing answer should include a real coverage number, not just 'yes, insured'. The supplies answer should be 'we bring everything, and here is the product list if you want it'. The continuity answer should name the team you will work with. Vagueness on any of these is the single best leading indicator that the work itself will be vague.
Two red flags that override everything
- An impossibly low quote. Edmonton's true floor for honest residential cleaning is roughly $35 per cleaner-hour after supplies, insurance, fuel, payroll taxes and overhead. Below that, someone is cutting a corner you will eventually find.
- Refusal to confirm anything in writing. Real operators send a written quote and re-clean policy. If you cannot get either in email before you book, do not book.
Frequently asked
- Is a Google rating enough to vet a company?
- It helps, but ratings are gamed. Pair the rating with at least one phone reference and the eight questions above.
- Should I ask for a written contract?
- For a one-time clean, a written quote and re-clean policy by email is enough. For recurring service, a simple service agreement protects both sides.
- What is a fidelity bond and why does it matter?
- A fidelity bond is insurance specifically for theft or dishonest acts by an employee. It is separate from general liability and is the right cover for a service that enters your home.
- Is it rude to ask all eight questions?
- No. Any operator worth booking expects them and answers them quickly. Anyone who pushes back is telling you something.
Related
- Hiring a cleanerBonded and insured: what to look for in a cleaning service
What 'bonded and insured' actually means, what coverage you should expect, and three specific certificate items to verify before letting anyone into your home.
- Hiring a cleanerRed flags when hiring a cleaning service in Edmonton
Seven warning signs that should make you walk away from an Edmonton cleaning quote — pricing, insurance, scheduling, and the most common 'too good to be true' patterns.
- Hiring a cleanerBest cleaning services in Edmonton — and how to choose between them
How to pick the right cleaning company in Edmonton in 2026. The five real differentiators (pricing, licensing, team continuity, eco, service area) and what to ignore.
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