If you are a business, the cleaning service you hire becomes part of what defines your brand. The way they handle your premises can help or hurt your business. A good cleaning service will draw customers to your business and improve the productivity of your team.

If you are hiring a cleaner for your home, ensuring that they can be trusted is vital, says Income Realty. That’s because you are inviting a total stranger into your private space. Therefore, you must do more than look at the cost of the service and the competence of the cleaner.

When hiring a cleaning service, what are the important questions to ask and factors to consider?

Whether for your home or office, finding a cleaner who comes highly recommended is important. A company with an established reputation in your industry or locality is easier to work with. Also, a cleaner who has worked with someone you know will be more trustworthy. If you cannot get referrals, the next best thing is to find cleaning services online and check their reviews.

The interview process is where you get the feel of what it will be like to work with the cleaner, especially if you are hiring individual cleaners. If you are looking for a company, this is where you acquaint yourself with how they operate. Will they assign a team to your office or rotate their staff? There are pros and cons to each option. Interview at least three cleaners.

In most states, cleaning services need to be licensed. Licensing ensures the cleaner has been properly trained and is familiar with the relevant regulations. In addition to licensing, the company should have insurance. What happens if they break something while cleaning? Will you be liable if one of their staff is injured in your home or office? Are they bonded?

If you are dealing with an individual, ask for permission to conduct a background check on them. For both individual cleaners and cleaning companies, request a list of references and ask for permission to contact the people on the list. The more recent the references the better; it will be easier for those clients to recall their experiences working with the cleaner.

Do they have safety measures for their staff, your home, and your office? Have they had past safety incidents? How will they deal with specific safety issues in the home or office? What are their safety training credentials? Do you have specific safety and health concerns that you need them to be aware of?

Cleaners who have been in business for a long time are more competent and trustworthy. It helps if they have been in a single location for a while. Local experience means they are in touch with municipal laws and guidelines. It also means they are relatively reliable. If they were not, they would not remain in that location.

How often do you want the home or office cleaned? Which areas of the home or office do you want them to give special attention to? Will they be expected to deal with pet waste? How many times a day do you expect them to clean your office floors? Do you want them to mop and vacuum every day or only a few days in the week? Will cleaning be done daily, weekly, or biweekly? How many hours will it take to clean the home or office?

Be sure the cleaning supplies they use are right for the surfaces and materials in your home. Are you required to provide some of the equipment or will they bring everything? Do you have specific cleaning supplies or cleaning methods you prefer for some of the stuff in your home? Research the cleaning supplies they use; be sure they won’t harm your belongings or health.

By now you should have shortlisted at least three qualified cleaning services. Ask them for free quotes. They should see the home or office they will be cleaning before giving an estimate. Make sure items in the quotes are clearly identified and prices are precise. Do not choose the company with the lowest quote. Choose a cleaning service you can work within the long term.