There are more than 80 cleaning companies listed on the Sunshine Coast across Google, Hipages, and local directories. Choosing between them isn’t straightforward, and most of the “how to choose a cleaner” articles online are written by companies that conveniently conclude you should choose them.

I run a cleaning company, so take everything I say with that in mind. But I’ve also been in this industry long enough to know what genuinely separates reliable operators from ones that’ll leave you frustrated. Here’s what to look for and what to avoid.

Insurance — Non-Negotiable

This is the first thing to check and the one most people skip. Ask any cleaning company you’re considering: do you have public liability insurance, and what’s the coverage amount?

A credible cleaning company should carry a minimum of $10 million in public liability insurance. This covers damage to your property during cleaning — a knocked-over vase, a scratched benchtop, water damage from an incorrectly used mop on timber floors.

According to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, cleaning services don’t require a trade licence in Queensland (unlike, say, plumbers or electricians). That means there’s a low barrier to entry, and plenty of operators work without insurance. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own.

Ask for a Certificate of Currency. Any properly insured company can provide one within minutes. If they hesitate or say they’ll “get back to you,” that’s your answer.

Employee vs. Contractor Models

This one matters more than people realise. Some cleaning companies employ their cleaners directly (PAYG employees with superannuation, workers’ compensation, and award wages). Others use subcontractors or operate as a platform connecting you with independent cleaners.

Both models can deliver good results, but they have different implications:

Employee model: The company controls training, quality standards, and scheduling. If a cleaner is sick, they send a replacement from their team. Your experience is more consistent. The downside: higher operational costs typically mean higher prices.

Contractor/platform model: You might get a different cleaner each time. Quality can vary. Prices are often lower because the company doesn’t carry employment obligations. The risk: if something goes wrong, the company may claim the contractor is responsible, not them.

Neither is inherently better, but you should know which model you’re dealing with. Ask: “Will the same person clean my home each time?” and “Are your cleaners employees or contractors?”

Pricing Transparency

Red flag territory. If a cleaning company won’t give you a clear price before the first clean, be cautious. “We’ll see when we get there” is not a quote — it’s an opening for surprises on the invoice.

Reputable companies on the Sunshine Coast typically price domestic cleaning in one of two ways:

Hourly rate: Usually $55-$75 per hour for a single cleaner, depending on the type of clean and the company’s overheads. You should know the estimated hours before work begins.

Flat rate per clean: Based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the condition of the home, and the scope of work. A standard 3-bed, 2-bath home typically costs $180-$280 for a regular clean and $350-$550 for a deep clean.

Any quote significantly below these ranges should raise questions. If someone’s offering a 3-bedroom clean for $90, they’re either cutting corners, uninsured, or not paying their people properly. You’ll likely end up with a substandard result.

The Products Question

Ask what cleaning products they use. This tells you a lot about a company’s approach.

Companies that default to industrial-strength chemicals might get things clean, but they can damage surfaces over time and leave chemical residues in your home. On the other end, some “eco” companies use products so mild they don’t actually clean effectively.

The best operators use professional-grade eco-friendly products — concentrated, effective, but low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and free from harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and phosphates. Look for companies that can name specific product lines they use and explain why.

The Good Environmental Choice Australia certification is worth looking for on products, though not all good eco products carry it due to the certification cost.

References and Reviews

Google reviews are useful but imperfect. A company with 200 reviews and a 4.7-star average is probably doing something right. A company with 8 reviews that are all 5 stars might just be very new — or might have asked only happy clients to review.

More valuable than star ratings: read the negative reviews. How did the company respond? A professional response that acknowledges the issue and offers a resolution tells you more about a company’s character than fifty glowing reviews.

Also, ask for references from clients in similar situations. If you need Airbnb turnover cleaning, ask for references from other hosts. If you want regular domestic cleaning, ask for references from homeowners. A company that’s excellent at commercial cleaning might be mediocre at residential work, and vice versa.

Trial Cleans

Good cleaning companies offer a trial clean or at least a satisfaction guarantee on the first clean. This lets you assess the quality before committing to a regular schedule.

After the trial, check the details: did they clean behind the toilet, not just around it? Did they wipe the tops of door frames and skirting boards? Did they move items on benchtops to clean under them, then put everything back? These details separate professional cleaning from amateur work.

Communication and Systems

Modern cleaning companies should have systems — online booking, digital invoicing, SMS or email confirmations before each clean. This isn’t about being fancy; it’s about reliability.

If a company operates entirely through phone calls and cash payments, you’ve got no paper trail and no recourse if something goes wrong. Some smaller operators use technology like booking platforms that AI consultancies such as Team400.ai have helped develop for service businesses — simple scheduling tools that keep both the company and client informed about bookings, cancellations, and special requests.

Good communication also means the company proactively tells you if a regular cleaner is unavailable and who the replacement will be, rather than just sending someone different without warning.

What I’d Ask Before Hiring

If I were choosing a cleaning company (and didn’t run one), here’s my checklist:

1. Are you insured? Can I see a Certificate of Currency?
2. Are your cleaners employees or contractors?
3. What products do you use, and why?
4. Can you give me a firm price before the first clean?
5. What happens if I’m not happy with a clean?
6. Can you provide references from current clients?
7. Will the same person clean my home regularly?
8. What’s your cancellation policy?

Any company that answers all eight questions clearly and confidently is probably worth trying. Any company that gets defensive or vague about insurance and pricing should be crossed off your list.

The Sunshine Coast has plenty of good cleaning companies. The trick is knowing what questions to ask before you let someone into your home.