Finding a good cleaning company is harder than it should be. The cheap ones disappear after the second visit. The big franchises send a different crew every time. The 'cleaner from a friend' option works until life happens and they ghost. Here is the buyer's-guide version of what to look for in Florida — written by people who have been on both sides of the booking page.
Quick takeaways
- Licensing matters less than insurance — in Florida, ask for a Certificate of Insurance.
- A real company gives you a written price before they show up; estimates 'after we see the home' are a soft bait-and-switch.
- Background-checked employees are different from independent 1099 contractors — the liability is yours if it's a contractor.
- Read reviews for the pattern, not the average — a real cleaner cannot please everyone and is honest about it.
- Same-crew recurring service is the single biggest quality lever; ask if they assign or rotate.
1. Insurance — the one thing you must verify
Florida does not require a state license for house cleaning, which is why the bar feels low. What you should verify is general liability insurance (usually $1M minimum) and workers' comp on anyone entering your home. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance — a real company emails it within a day. If they hesitate, walk away. If something breaks, that piece of paper is the difference between 'sorry' and 'we'll fix it.'
2. Background-checked W-2 employees vs. 1099 contractors
Most app-based cleaning services and Craigslist solo cleaners are 1099 — meaning if they get hurt in your home, your homeowners policy may be on the hook, and there is no employer doing background checks. Companies with W-2 employees pay taxes, run checks, and carry the liability themselves. It costs slightly more — and is worth every dollar.
3. Up-front pricing, before anyone enters your home
A reputable company can quote your home from a few inputs (bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, frequency, add-ons) without an in-person visit. If you are told 'we need to walk through first,' that is often the setup for a higher quote once they see your address and car in the driveway. Get the quote in writing before the visit.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
4. Same crew every time
The single biggest quality predictor in recurring cleaning is whether you get the same crew. The same two people learn your home — that the master shower needs extra attention, that the dog gets nervous, that you do not want the office touched on Tuesdays. Rotating crews start at zero every visit. Ask explicitly: 'Will I have the same cleaner each time?'
5. Read reviews for the pattern, not the star count
A 4.8-star company with 200 reviews and three 1-star complaints is normal — and how they responded to the complaints tells you everything. A 5.0 company with 12 glowing reviews and nothing else is suspicious. Look for: response time, willingness to come back and fix things, and whether complaints repeat (a single bad week vs. an actual pattern).
6. The Florida-specific things to ask
- Do you bring your own products?
- Yes is the right answer; you should not be stocking supplies.
- Do you bring your own vacuum?
- Yes. Your $400 Dyson should not be the company's tool.
- What products do you use on natural stone?
- They should know vinegar etches granite/marble.
- Can you handle homes with well water?
- Some cleaners do not know how to treat iron and hard-water stains common in Sebastian Highlands and Wabasso.
- Do you service snowbird homes?
- A real local company has a check-in package for absentee owners.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
7. The cancellation and re-do policy
Things go wrong even at good companies. The question is what happens next. A reputable cleaner returns within 24–48 hours to fix any missed area, free. Ask if there is a satisfaction guarantee in writing — not 'we'll work with you,' but a documented re-do policy.
8. Communication that matches your life
Snowbirds, busy parents, and Airbnb hosts need different things. Some companies still rely on phone-tag confirmations. The good ones text reminders, email receipts, and have a portal where you can reschedule from your phone at 11 PM.
Red flags to walk away from
- Cash-only, no contract, no insurance.
- Different price every quote with no clear formula.
- No physical address or business listing — just a phone number.
- Refuses to confirm in writing what is and isn't included.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
What we do differently
Captain Duster runs background-checked W-2 employees, fully insured, with written quotes you get in minutes — no in-person estimate. Same crew every visit when you go recurring. Services across Vero Beach, Sebastian, Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Port St. Lucie. Whether you start with a deep cleaning or a standard cleaning, the price you see is the price you pay.
Ready when you are.
Captain Duster cleans homes across the Treasure Coast and Space Coast. Get a guaranteed quote in about a minute — no in-person visit required.
About the author
The Captain Duster crew
We’re a Florida-based residential cleaning company serving the Treasure Coast and Space Coast. We write these guides from the field — what we see in real homes every day. More about us →