Finding a house cleaner you can trust — someone who will be in your home, handling your belongings, week after week — is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your household. It's not just about who cleans the best. It's about who you can trust with your keys, your home, and your family.
This guide gives you everything you need to find, vet, and hire a reliable cleaning service in San Francisco or Marin County. We'll cover the 10 red flags to watch for, the 10 questions to ask before you hire, how to verify a company is legitimate, and what to do if something goes wrong. By the end, you'll be able to make a confident decision — without needing to visit another website.
10 Red Flags: Walk Away From Any Company That Shows These
Check off any red flags you've noticed about a company you're considering. If you check 2 or more, keep looking.
10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Use this checklist when evaluating any cleaning company. Check off each question as you get a satisfactory answer. A trustworthy company will answer all 10 without hesitation.
How to Verify a Cleaning Company Is Legitimate
Check the California Secretary of State
Search the company name at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. A legitimate business will have an active registration. If they're not registered, they're operating illegally.
Ask for the liability insurance certificate
A legitimate company carries general liability insurance (minimum $1M) and workers' compensation. Ask for the certificate of insurance — they should provide it within 24 hours. If they can't, walk away.
Verify their Google Business listing
A legitimate local business has a verified Google Business Profile with a physical address, phone number, and reviews. Look for reviews that mention specific team members by name — these are harder to fake.
Check the BBB and Yelp
Look for the company on the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) and Yelp. Check for complaints and how the company responded. One or two complaints handled professionally is normal. Multiple unresolved complaints is a red flag.
Ask for local references
Ask for 2–3 references from clients in your neighborhood or city. A company that has been serving your area for years will have clients willing to vouch for them. If they can't provide references, ask why.
Individual Cleaner vs. Cleaning Company: Which Is Right for You?
| Individual Cleaner | Cleaning Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Often lower ($20–$35/hr) | Flat-rate or hourly ($25–$50/hr) |
| Insurance | Usually none (you're liable) | Fully insured and bonded |
| Backup coverage | None — if sick, no clean | Company sends a replacement |
| Background checks | Your responsibility to verify | Company conducts and guarantees |
| Payroll taxes | Your responsibility as employer | Company handles all taxes |
| Consistency | Very high — same person every time | High if you request same team |
| Flexibility | High — direct relationship | Moderate — company scheduling |
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If Something is damaged...
Contact the company the same day with photos. A reputable company will acknowledge the damage, file a claim with their insurance, and compensate you. Keep the insurance certificate you requested when you hired them.
If Something is missing...
Contact the company immediately. Don't accuse — describe what's missing and when you last saw it. A reputable company will investigate and, if theft is confirmed, terminate the employee and file a police report. Their bond covers theft by employees.
If The clean is unsatisfactory...
Contact the company within 24 hours with specific details about what was missed. Most companies will return within 24–48 hours to address the issues at no charge. If they refuse, dispute the charge with your credit card company.
If A cleaner is injured in your home...
If the company carries workers' compensation insurance (which you verified when you hired them), their insurance covers the injury. If you hired an individual cleaner without workers' comp, you may be liable as their employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Cleaning Service You Can Actually Trust
Green Planet Cleaning is licensed, bonded, and insured. All employees are background-checked. We serve San Francisco and Marin County with flat-rate pricing, consistent teams, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
