(Lessons From Two Countries)
By Oakville Maids of Burlington, Ontario
Guest post for Emily’s Maids
Finding a good cleaner can feel a lot like dating.
You try one because a friend swore by them. Then another because Facebook said they were “amazing.” And then suddenly you’re standing in your kitchen wondering how the counters got wiped but the crumbs are still… there. Somehow.
After operating professional cleaning companies in both Canada and the United States, we’ve learned a lot about what homeowners think they’re hiring versus what actually shows up at the door. Some of the lessons are universal. Some are surprisingly different depending on which side of the border you’re on.
If you’re hiring a cleaning company — anywhere — here’s what you should know.
1. “Recommended” Doesn’t Always Mean Qualified
This one hurts, but it’s true. A lot of cleaning companies build their reputation through friends, family, neighbors, or Facebook group hype. That doesn’t automatically make them bad… but it doesn’t make them good either.
In both Ontario and Texas, we’ve seen situations where reviews were written by relatives, “Clients” had never actually booked a cleaning, the owner did the first few cleans personally, then sent completely different people later.
Homeowners are often shocked when the service quietly changes after the first visit. Different cleaners. Different standards. Different results.
A professional company should be able to deliver consistent quality regardless of who shows up, not rely on one superstar cleaner holding everything together.
2. Independent Cleaner vs. Cleaning Company: Know the Tradeoff
There’s nothing wrong with independent cleaners. Some are fantastic. But there is a tradeoff, and homeowners deserve to understand it.
Independent cleaner
- Often cheaper
- Very personal relationship
- Quality can be excellent
- No backup if they’re sick, injured, or disappear
Professional cleaning company
- Trained teams
- Insurance and liability coverage
- Systems and checklists
- Accountability when something goes wrong
In both countries, we’ve seen homeowners get burned not because the cleaner was dishonest, but because there was no structure to support them. If someone gets hurt in your home, breaks something valuable, or just stops showing up… who handles it? And in one instance I recalls being shared with me, the family came home from a vacation only to find their home cleaned… out. Their life-long housekeeper they had trusted for a lifetime decided to retire and cleaned out their home to probably pawn the items and build a retirement nest egg.
That’s the difference.
3. Insurance Isn’t a Buzzword, It’s Protection
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings we see. When a company says they’re “insured,” that should mean they have liability insurance (in case of damage), worker coverage (so you’re not liable for injuries), ad proper business registration
In reality? Some businesses stretch the truth. Others don’t even know what coverage they actually have. We’ve had homeowners tell us they assumed insurance was standard. It’s not. So, ask. Verify. A legitimate company won’t be offended. Indeed, they’ll usually be relieved you asked.
4. Legal Workers Matter (More Than People Realize)
This is uncomfortable to talk about, but it matters. Both in Canada and the U.S., there are cleaning companies operating with workers who are are misclassified, are paid under the table, and have no protections or benefits
Aside from the ethical side, there’s a practical one: risk.
If a worker isn’t legally employed, guess who can be exposed if something goes wrong? The homeowner. Yes, really. With professional companies like Oakville Maids of Burlington and Emily’s Maids that hire legally, they pay payroll taxes, carry worker protections, and invest in training and retention
It costs more. And that’s exactly why it matters.
5. Systems Beat Speed (Every Time)
One of the most common complaints we hear is:
“They rushed.”
Rushing is almost always a sign of poor systems. A well-run cleaning company uses detailed checklists, time standards per home, quality control checks (very important!), and clear expectations for cleaners and clients. So, speed without structure leads to missed blinds, skipped baseboards, and awkward phone calls asking the owner if dusting is “included.”
It should be. And the cleaners shouldn’t have to ask.
6. Why Standards Shouldn’t Change After the First Clean
This happens way more than people expect: The first clean is great. The owner shows up. Extra time is spent. Everything sparkles.
Then… the next visit feels different. And the one after that even more so.
A professional company should deliver the same standard every time, whether it’s the first clean or the fiftieth. If quality only exists when the owner is present, that’s not a system, that’s a temporary illusion. Consistency is what separates real companies from ones just trying to grow fast.
7. Trust Is Built When Things Go Wrong
Here’s the honest for goodness truth: even great companies mess up sometimes. Homes are human places. Mistakes happen. What matters is what happens after.
A professional cleaning company should respond quickly, take responsibility, fix the issue without excuses. If the response is defensive, dismissive, or silent, well that tells you everything you need to know.
We’ve learned (the hard way) that long-term trust isn’t built when everything goes perfectly, but when it doesn’t and the company still shows up.
Final Thought: You’re Not “Too Picky”
Homeowners often apologize for having expectations. You don’t need to. You’re trusting people with your home, your belongings, and your personal space. That’s not small. Whether you’re in Burlington or Dallas, the fundamentals are the same.
Ask questions. Expect professionalism. And don’t feel bad walking away if something doesn’t feel right. If a company is legit, there standards will be clear from the start. A good cleaner shouldn’t feel like winning the lottery. It should feel boringly reliable. And honestly, that’s the best kind.
About the Author
Oakville Maids of Burlington is a locally operated, award-winning professional cleaning company serving Burlington, Ontario. With experience operating cleaning businesses in both Canada and the United States, the team focuses on legal employment, consistent systems, and dependable service so homeowners know exactly what to expect, every visit.