You’re ready to reclaim your weekends. You’ve searched “house cleaning Calgary” and found a dozen options ranging from $25/hour individuals on Facebook Marketplace to $50/hour established companies.
The first question most homeowners ask is: “How much do you charge?”
That is the wrong first question. Price matters, but it’s irrelevant if the cleaner damages your $3,000 area rug and has no insurance to cover it. Or if they steal a piece of jewelry and disappear.
Before you hand over a key or a door code, here are the 10 non-negotiable questions to ask—and the answers you need to hear.
Question #1: What’s Included in a “Standard Clean” vs. a “Deep Clean”?
Why It Matters: “Clean” is subjective. To one person, it means vacuuming floors and wiping counters. To another, it means scrubbing baseboards, inside the microwave, and dusting ceiling fans. If you don’t define this upfront, you will be disappointed.
The Answer You Want: A clear, written checklist. The cleaner should be able to tell you exactly what tasks are performed on a recurring visit and what tasks are reserved for a first-time deep clean or a professional residential cleaning service add-on.
Red Flag: “We just clean whatever needs to be done.” (This means they will do the bare minimum.)
Question #2: Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?
Why It Matters: You are inviting this person into your most private space. When you’re at work. When your kids might come home from school.
The Answer You Want: “Yes. Every team member undergoes a criminal background check and reference verification before they ever enter a client’s home.”
Red Flag: “They’re all nice people.” or “We use subcontractors/independent cleaners.” (This usually means no oversight, no insurance coverage for you, and no vetting.)
Question #3: Are You Insured and Bonded? What’s the Difference?
Why It Matters: This is the single most important financial protection for a Calgary homeowner. Most people think these words mean the same thing. They do not.
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Insured (Liability Insurance): Covers accidental damage to your property. If the cleaner knocks over a vase and breaks a window, or spills bleach on a Persian rug, liability insurance pays to repair or replace it.
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Bonded (Fidelity Bond): Covers theft by an employee. If a cleaner steals your watch, a bond pays you back for the value of the stolen item.
The Answer You Want: “Yes, we carry both General Liability Insurance and a Fidelity Bond. We can provide a Certificate of Insurance upon request.”
The Reality Check: If a cleaner cannot provide a certificate of insurance naming you as an interested party, you are liable. Your homeowner’s insurance might cover it, but your deductible is likely $1,000 or more, and your premium will go up. Do not hire an uninsured cleaner to save $20 per clean. It is a massive financial gamble.
Question #4: Are Your Cleaners Covered by WCB (Workers’ Compensation)?
Why It Matters: This is the hidden liability most homeowners never consider. If an uninsured cleaner slips on your wet kitchen floor and breaks their wrist, they can—and do—sue the homeowner for medical bills and lost wages.
The Answer You Want: “Yes, all our staff are WCB covered employees, not subcontractors.”
Red Flag: “They’re self-employed so they handle their own stuff.” (They don’t. And if they get hurt on your property, your homeowner’s insurance is on the hook.)
Question #5: How Do You Price Your Services?
Why It Matters: You need to know if you’re paying for time or for scope of work. An hourly rate can lead to “slow walking” the job to inflate the bill.
The Answer You Want: “We provide a flat-rate quote based on the square footage, number of bathrooms, and specific needs of your home. You’ll know the exact price before we arrive.”
The Reality: For one-off cleans like move out cleaning pricing , flat rate is standard. For recurring weekly or bi-weekly cleans, flat rate is still preferable so you can budget predictably.
Question #6: What is Your Cancellation or Lockout Policy?
Why It Matters: Life happens. A kid gets sick. You forget to leave the key. You need to know if you’re paying for a service you didn’t receive.
The Answer You Want: A reasonable policy like “24-hour notice for cancellation, otherwise a $50 fee.” Or “We will attempt to contact you; if locked out, we move to the next job and you are not charged the full amount, just a travel fee.”
Red Flag: “No refunds, no exceptions.” or “We don’t have a policy.” (They will make one up when it’s inconvenient for you.)
Question #7: Do You Bring Your Own Supplies and Equipment?
Why It Matters: Professional-grade vacuums with HEPA filters clean better than a Dyson. Commercial cleaning solutions cut through grease faster.
The Answer You Want: “We bring everything: vacuums, mops, microfiber cloths, and eco-friendly cleaning solutions. If you have a specific product you prefer for granite or hardwood, we’re happy to use it.”
The Exception: For specialized services like post-renovation cleaning , the equipment is specialized (HEPA air scrubbers, backpack vacs). A standard house cleaner doesn’t have this gear.
Question #8: What Happens if Something Gets Broken?
Why It Matters: Accidents happen even with the best cleaners. The difference is how it’s handled.
The Answer You Want: “Our policy is to leave a note immediately alerting you to the damage. We take photos and file a claim with our insurance provider within 24 hours.”
Red Flag: “That never happens.” (It does. And when it does, they will hide it or deny it.)
Question #9: Do You Guarantee Your Work?
Why It Matters: You need recourse if you come home and the bathroom mirror is streaky or the floor feels gritty.
The Answer You Want: “If you are not satisfied with any area of the clean, let us know within 24 hours and we will send a team back to re-clean that specific area at no charge.”
Red Flag: “We do our best.” (That is not a guarantee.)
Question #10: Can You Provide References in My Neighborhood?
Why It Matters: Cleaning a 1912 character home in Hillhurst is different from cleaning a modern condo in the East Village. Local references prove they understand Calgary homes.
The Answer You Want: “Yes, we have clients in [Your Area] and can provide contact information or direct you to verified reviews.”
The 30-Second Phone Test
When you call a cleaning company, you’re not just getting a quote. You’re testing their communication and professionalism. If they don’t answer the phone, take two days to reply to an email, or can’t answer the questions above clearly, that is exactly how they will handle problems at your home.
Don’t guess. Don’t gamble with your home or your liability.
Now that you know what to ask, we invite you to put us to the test. Call Alpine Pure Shine Clean. Ask us these 10 questions. We have the answers, the certificates, and the references ready.
Get a free, no-pressure quote for Calgary house cleaning today or call 403-918-7070.
