Hiring a cleaner is more personal than people realise. You are giving someone access to the most private parts of your home. The single most important thing you can do is ask the right five questions before booking.
1. Has the cleaner been interviewed in their own home?
This sounds odd until you realise why it matters. A home interview tells the agency far more than a CV ever will. We meet every cleaner before they ever meet you.
2. Is there a real insurance policy, and what is the limit?
Public liability up to £1m is the standard you should expect. Lower limits exist; avoid them. Ask for the certificate if you want — any reputable agency will produce it.
3. What happens if my regular cleaner is sick or on holiday?
Real answer: replacement cover at the same hourly rate. Bad answer: the agency goes silent until your cleaner is back.
4. Will I always have the same cleaner?
Yes is the only acceptable answer for regular cleans. The whole value is consistency.
5. Can I cancel without notice?
You should not need to give more than 24 hours notice. Long contracts are a red flag — they exist to protect the agency, not you.