Confirm the appointment and scope
Before cleaning day, confirm the arrival window, contact number, expected visit length and the checklist you booked. Ask whether the first visit has a different scope or price from later visits. Mention changes since the quote, such as extra rooms, recent renovation dust or appliances you now want cleaned. Get approval for additions before the team arrives.
Clear surfaces without doing the cleaning yourself
Pick up clothes, toys, loose paperwork and small objects from the floors and surfaces you want cleaned. Put dishes away or ask whether washing dishes is included. You do not need to scrub the bathroom before the cleaner arrives; clearing clutter simply gives the team access to the tasks you are paying for. If organizing is part of your request, arrange it explicitly.
Choose your top priorities
Write a short list of the areas that matter most, such as shower buildup, kitchen surfaces or floors under accessible furniture. Identify rooms that are off limits. Explain any stains, loose fixtures, existing damage or finishes requiring particular care. Ask before expecting furniture moving, ladder work, mold removal, pest cleanup or hazardous-material handling; these may fall outside a routine visit.
Arrange safe access and pet care
Agree on how the cleaner will enter and lock up. Share entry instructions through the company’s preferred private channel, and explain alarms or parking restrictions. Keep pets in a comfortable agreed location and let the cleaner know if an animal may escape or react to unfamiliar people. Make sure the agreed areas have working water, electricity and sufficient access.
Set aside personal and fragile belongings
Secure cash, jewelry, medication and sensitive documents where you want them kept. Move fragile keepsakes from surfaces that need cleaning, or identify items the team should not touch. Tell the cleaner whether you will be working from home and which rooms need quiet periods. Ask how the company wants you to communicate during the visit so instructions reach the right person.
Review the visit before booking the next one
When practical, do a brief walkthrough against the agreed checklist. If you notice a missed area later, contact the company promptly and describe the issue clearly, with photos if appropriate. Ask about any tasks that could not be completed and why. Use that conversation to adjust priorities, visit length or frequency for future cleanings rather than assuming every task was part of the original booking.