Those gorgeous hardwood floors in Exeter's colonial and cape-style homes are part of what makes this town so charming, but they're also magnets for the fine grit that blows in from Route 101 and the salt residue we track in all winter long. Add in the humidity that settles over the Squamscott River valley each summer, and you've got the perfect recipe for sticky baseboards and that musty smell that creeps into closets by August. The pollen from all our oak and maple trees doesn't help either—it coats windowsills in a thick yellow layer every May, and if you've got older single-pane windows common in homes around the Powder House area, that dust works its way inside no matter how careful you are. Keeping up with it all while juggling work and family feels impossible, which is why so many Exeter homeowners eventually reach out for professional cleaning help.
But hiring a house cleaner isn't like ordering takeout—you're inviting someone into your home, trusting them with your belongings, and paying good money for the service. The difference between a great cleaner and a nightmare scenario often comes down to knowing what questions to ask upfront, what pricing actually makes sense for our area, and which warning signs mean you should keep looking. Whether you're hiring someone for the first time or you've been burned before, understanding how to properly vet candidates will save you headaches, protect your home, and ensure you're getting the quality you're paying for.
Step 1: Decide What You Need
- Recurring cleaning — weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Keeps your home consistently clean. Best value per hour.
- Deep cleaning — comprehensive top-to-bottom. Inside appliances, baseboards, fixtures. Typically 2–3× the cost of a standard clean.
- Move-in/move-out cleaning — thorough cleaning of an empty property.
- One-time cleaning — for a specific occasion (guests arriving, post-renovation, etc.)
Pricing Reference for Exeter
1–2 bedroom: from $129/visit biweekly · 3 bed: from $179/visit · 4+ bed: call for quote
Step 2: Questions to Ask Every Company
Licensing, Insurance & Background Checks
- "Are your cleaners employees or independent contractors?" — Employees provide more accountability.
- "Are all cleaners background-checked?" — What does the check include?
- "Are you fully insured for general liability and theft?" — Ask for a certificate of insurance.
- "Are your workers covered by workers' compensation?" — If a cleaner is injured without coverage, you could be liable.
Products and Equipment
- "Do you bring your own supplies or do I need to provide them?"
- "What cleaning products do you use?" — Ask specifically if you have allergies, pets, or eco-friendly preferences.
- "Do you use HEPA-filtered vacuums?" — Important for allergy sufferers.
Process and Quality
- "What's included in a standard recurring clean vs. a deep clean?"
- "Do the same cleaners come each time?" — Consistency matters for trust and quality.
- "What's your quality guarantee? What happens if I'm not satisfied?"
Red Flags to Watch For
- No insurance certificate available on request
- Refuses to provide references or has no online reviews
- Pricing too low to be realistic (often indicates no insurance, no background checks)
- Wants full payment upfront before any service
- No written service agreement or scope of work
- Uses 1099 contractors exclusively with no training program
- Unclear or no cancellation policy
What to Do Before the First Cleaning
- Declutter — put away items from surfaces so cleaners can clean, not organize
- Secure valuables — jewelry, cash, and important documents should be locked away
- Note special instructions — fragile items, areas to avoid, product preferences
- Provide access — confirm key handoff or lockbox code
- Be home for the first visit if possible — to walk through and establish expectations
Why TotalCare for Exeter
TotalCare Cleaning serves Exeter with fully insured, background-checked professional cleaners. We use consistent teams, carry full general liability insurance, and back every clean with a satisfaction guarantee.
Get a quote for your Exeter home: (888) 378-7451