Most people book a cleaning service the same way they might choose a restaurant — they search online, pick one that looks decent, and book it. They never find out that the service two blocks away would have done the same job for 25% less, or that a highly-rated company in their neighborhood had availability on their preferred day at a better rate.

Getting multiple cleaning bids before you hire is one of the simplest ways to save money on a recurring service — and a bit of upfront effort can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over a year of regular cleanings. Here’s how to do it efficiently.

Why You Should Always Get at Least 3 Bids

The cleaning industry doesn’t have standardized pricing. Two companies serving the same neighborhood might quote $120 and $200 for identical services in the same size home — a 67% difference. That’s not unusual. Pricing varies based on company overhead, employee wages, equipment costs, insurance levels, and how aggressively the company is acquiring new clients at any given moment.

Getting 3+ bids gives you:

  • A realistic sense of market rate for your area and type of service
  • Negotiating leverage — “I have a quote for $X from another company” is a legitimate and effective negotiation tactic
  • Insight into company quality based on how they respond to your inquiry (response speed, professionalism, thoroughness of the quote)

Studies on home services consistently show that consumers who get multiple quotes save 20–30% compared to those who hire the first company they contact. On a $150 biweekly cleaning, that’s $40–$50 in savings per visit, or $1,000+ annually.

What Information to Prepare Before Requesting Bids

The more specific your information, the more accurate and comparable your bids will be. Before reaching out to companies, have the following ready:

Property Details

  • Square footage of your home (not including garage or unfinished basement)
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms (the most common way companies estimate scope)
  • Type of flooring (mix of hardwood, tile, carpet — affects time and equipment)
  • Number of stories

Cleaning Details

  • Type of cleaning needed: standard maintenance clean, deep clean, move-in/move-out, post-construction, etc.
  • Desired frequency: one-time, weekly, biweekly, monthly
  • Any specific areas of concern: pets, heavy kitchen grease, specific rooms that need extra attention
  • Any surfaces requiring special care: natural stone, antique furniture, specialty flooring

Logistics

  • Preferred days and time windows for the cleaning
  • Whether you’ll be home during the visit
  • Any access requirements (doorman building, gate code, etc.)

With this information, a professional company can give you an accurate flat-rate quote rather than a vague range.

Understanding What a Cleaning Bid Actually Includes

Not all bids are created equal, and a lower number doesn’t always mean a better deal. When comparing bids, look beyond the price to what’s actually included.

Hourly vs. Flat Rate

  • Hourly bids ($40–$80/hour per cleaner) are open-ended — the final cost depends on how long the job takes. This can work in your favor for small jobs and against you for larger ones.
  • Flat-rate bids give you a firm price regardless of time. Better for budgeting and recurring service.

Ask whether the bid is hourly or flat rate upfront. An hourly quote that looks competitive may end up higher than a flat rate if the job takes longer than estimated.

What’s Included vs. Add-Ons

Common items that may or may not be included in a “standard” bid:

  • Interior of oven and refrigerator
  • Inside cabinets
  • Laundry
  • Dishes
  • Interior windows
  • Moving furniture to clean underneath

Ask for a written checklist of what’s included. “Standard clean” means different things to different companies, and discovering that your priorities aren’t covered after booking is frustrating.

Products and Equipment

  • Does the company bring their own supplies and equipment, or do you provide them?
  • Are products eco-friendly or conventional (matters for households with allergies or preferences)?
  • What type of vacuum do they use?

What to Watch for in the Fine Print

Before agreeing to recurring service, review the terms carefully:

  • Cancellation policy: How much notice is required? Is there a fee for late cancellation? (24–48 hours is standard; fees are normal but should be reasonable)
  • Minimum contract terms: Some companies require 3–6 months of service commitment. Month-to-month gives you more flexibility.
  • Price increase clauses: Will the rate be locked for a period, or can it increase? How much notice is given?
  • Liability and insurance: Is the company insured for damage to your property? Are cleaners employees or independent contractors (affects liability coverage)?
  • Satisfaction guarantee: What happens if you’re unhappy with a visit? Is a re-clean offered within a specific timeframe?

A company that can’t answer these questions clearly, or that has no written terms at all, is a red flag.

How BidMyCleaning Streamlines the Process

Getting 3–5 quotes from cleaning companies traditionally means:

  1. Searching and identifying companies in your area
  2. Calling or emailing each one individually
  3. Waiting for responses (often days)
  4. Repeating your home details each time
  5. Trying to compare quotes that use different formats and assumptions

BidMyCleaning eliminates this friction. You submit your details once — property size, cleaning type, frequency, preferences — and receive competitive bids from multiple vetted cleaning professionals in your area. All bids come back in a comparable format so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison without the runaround.

Every company on the platform is screened, and you can review ratings, profiles, and previous customer feedback alongside the price. It transforms a process that typically takes hours or days into one that takes minutes.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Cleaning Service

Once you have bids in hand and are narrowing down candidates, these questions help you make a confident final decision:

  • How long have you been in business? Longevity suggests stability and a track record.
  • Are your cleaners employees or independent contractors? Employees are covered by the company’s insurance and workers’ comp; contractors may not be.
  • Do you conduct background checks on all cleaners? Essential for anyone working in your home.
  • Will I get the same cleaner each visit? Consistency matters for recurring service — you want someone who learns your home.
  • What happens if my regular cleaner is sick? Is there a substitute available, or will the visit be cancelled?
  • Can I see your license and insurance certificate? Any reputable company should provide this without hesitation.

The Right Bid Isn’t Always the Lowest Bid

After comparing your bids, resist the temptation to automatically choose the cheapest option. The lowest price may reflect:

  • Lower wages paid to cleaners (which correlates with higher turnover and inconsistency)
  • Inadequate insurance
  • Inexperienced staff
  • A company that will find reasons to charge more once they’re in the door

The best value is usually found in the mid-range of your bids — companies that are competitively priced but can also answer every question clearly, have solid reviews, and present a professional image. That combination is where you’ll find consistent, reliable service at a fair price.