Why you should NEVER get your home cleaned for $20 dollars!

The 5 Golden Rules to Avoid Home Service Nightmares.

My Entire House Cleaned For ONLY $20...?

You’re scrolling through social media and you see an ad claiming, “Wow! I got my entire house cleaned for just $20!” Sounds too good to be true, right? This should go without saying folks, but anytime something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 

We get it, cleaning your home isn’t the most enjoyable task, and if you can get it done for a fraction of what you would normally pay, why wouldn’t you? However, when it comes to inviting strangers into your home, you want to make sure you’re choosing a trustworthy company that will do a thorough job. After all, you’re giving these people complete access to your home, your belongings, and family for extended periods of time! Not only that, but when a home service company does a poor job, it may need to be done again or could permanently damage your home, costing you more time and money in the long run.

As a professional cleaning company, we’ve seen firsthand the damage subpar services can cause – from damaged carpets and ruined upholstery to using harsh chemicals that permanently damage delicate surfaces! To help you protect your family from these cleaning nightmares, we’ve put together 5 Golden Rules to avoid home service nightmares

Disclaimer! We admit – while inspiration for these rules came from the recent surge of cheap cleaning offers flooding social media, it is important to note that they apply to all home service companies – from landscapers to contractors, plumbers, party planners and more – this is not intended as a critique of any specific company. We want to provide valuable advice to help protect consumers from potential scams and unsatisfactory service.

So, let’s dive into how to The 5 Golden Rules to protect your home (and your wallet) from these Home Service Nightmares

Rule #1: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

child with her hands over her mouth - like she's just spilled grape juice on the carpet

Let’s face it, no professional cleaner would ever charge $20 or less to clean an entire house. A basic cleaning of a three-bedroom home usually takes a professional around seven hours, and that’s not including travel time. If a company is charging you less than $3 per hour, how can these companies afford to pay their employees a living wage, cover essential business expenses, or make a profit? Chances are, if they’re only charging $20, they probably can’t! They would go bankrupt in no time. This rule holds true for any product or service that is marketed at a fraction below market price. Companies have to make money somehow.

That being said, if these deals really are too good to be true, how much does it really cost to get your apartment cleaned for “just $20”? Let’s take a look.

Rule #2: Always read the fine print!

pug with silly glasses on

As a rule of thumb, always read the fine print. It can save you a ton of time and money in the long run! When we read the fine print for some of these extremely-low-cost cleaning services, we were surprised to find that they were actually a subscription service. It works like this: your first home cleaning is very inexpensive (we found some between $9 and $50), but they require  you purchase a $50-$100/month subscription. If you do decide to cancel in 6-12 months, or can no longer afford the subscription, you get charged for the full price of the initial cleaning of your house.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a home cleaning subscription service or offering discounts on recurring cleaning services. In fact, it’s industry standard for cleaning companies to offer these discounts. However, if you don’t read the fine print, you could end up on the hook for hundreds of dollars more than you bargained for! 

When in doubt, read the fine print, get the facts, and do the necessary cost-benefit analysis for your household to decide what is best for your family and your wallet.

pug with silly glasses on

Rule #3: Look before you leap:

When you’re looking for a cleaning service, it’s important to know who you will be letting inside your home. We were shocked to discover that many of the cleaning companies that advertise heavily online don’t actually do the cleaning themselves. Instead, they act as middlemen, selling leads to subcontractors who may lack the proper training, insurance, or experience to provide a safe, quality cleaning service.


This lack of accountability can be concerning, especially since you’re entrusting these strangers with access to your home, belongings, family, and pets. When you hire a professional cleaning company, you expect them to be responsible for the actions of their employees. It is in their best interest to provide the best possible service to maintain their reputation. After all, as business owners, our reputation is our most valuable asset and we protect it with our lives! But with these middleman  lead service companies, you often don’t have the choice of which cleaning subcontractor is coming to your house, and thus don’t even have a chance to personally research them. 

Regardless of who you let inside your house, whether it’s a contractor, plumber, or cleaning technician – ALWAYS research who you’re allowing into your home. A quick look at a company’s google reviews could potentially save you a ton of time and money down the road! When it comes to the safety and cleanliness of your home, it’s worth it to invest in a reputable cleaning company with trained and vetted employees. Don’t take a gamble with your family’s well-being by neglecting to do your research. 

Rule #4: You get what you pay for.

As the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” And in the case of cheap cleaning companies, what you’re paying for could be a rushed or subpar cleaning job. The low prices may seem tempting, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. Inexperienced cleaners may not know how to properly clean delicate surfaces or handle certain cleaning products, potentially causing damage to your property. And if they do a poor job, you may end up having to pay for a professional cleaner to come in and fix the mess.

Environmentally safe cleaning solutions, proper training to clean your home safely and thoroughly, state-of the art equipment, and hiring top-quality employees is a necessity for top professional cleaning companies. We wouldn’t have it any other way! As we all know – doing a job right the first time will always save you time and money in the long run. 

By choosing a reputable cleaning company that charges a fair price, you can avoid the headaches of a poor cleaning job that may require a professional cleaner to fix. Remember, it’s not worth the risk to sacrifice quality for a cheaper price. Which leads us to our last rule…

person counting money

Rule #5: Never compromise on quality.

Whether it’s buying a new car, household appliance, or hiring a cleaning company – the time-tested rule still stands – never compromise on quality. Buying a quality service or product will always save you money in the long run! The same goes for a quality cleaning company. Top professional cleaning companies always prioritize the following:

1. Properly Trained Employees: A reputable cleaning company will ensure that their employees are properly trained to use the latest cleaning techniques and products. Not only does this mean your home will be cleaned to the highest standards, it also means your home will need to be cleaned less often, saving you money in the long run.

2. High-Quality Tools and Products: A professional cleaning company will have access to high-quality state of the art cleaning tools and products that are safe for you and your family. They will use the latest equipment and techniques to ensure that your home is thoroughly cleaned and minimizes the risk of damage to your home!

3. Reputation: A reputable cleaning company will have a good reputation in the industry, built on their commitment to quality and customer service. They will strive to maintain their standing in the industry by providing the best possible service to their clients. If you have any problem with a reputable company’s service, they’ll go to the moon and back to make it right! 

4. Insurance Coverage: A quality cleaning company will have liability insurance to protect you and your property in case of accidental damage or injury. This protect both the company, and your home. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re protected against unforeseen circumstances

5. Safety: A quality cleaning company will prioritize safety, ensuring that their employees and clients are not put at risk during the cleaning process. They will use safe and effective cleaning products, as well as proper safety equipment, to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries. 

a sign that says "this is the sign you've been looking for"

When in doubt, call the professionals

Your home is a sanctuary for you and your loved ones, so when it comes to taking care of your home, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and remember The 5 Golden Rules To Avoid Home Service Nightmares. Professional cleaning companies like Clean & Pristine Services, Inc. have the expertise and equipment needed to get the job done efficiently and effectively. By following these tips and being proactive, you can ensure that your home remains a clean and healthy environment for you and your loved ones.

Author: Jordan Wall

Published: April 11th 2023