Letting strangers into your home requires trust — and in South Africa, that trust needs to be earned before the first clean, not assumed. A cleaning service that arrives, does a passable job, and leaves without incident is the baseline expectation. But things go wrong: breakages, theft, allergic reactions to cleaning chemicals, or a disagreement over what was supposed to be included in the quote. Knowing what to vet upfront means you're choosing from a shortlist of credible providers rather than gambling on whoever had the best-looking website.
This guide covers how to vet a cleaning service before they enter your home, what insurance and legal requirements to check, how to structure a fair agreement, and what your rights are as a South African consumer if things don't go as expected.
Establish What Type of Service You Actually Need
There's a significant difference between a regular domestic worker, a casual cleaning service, and a professional commercial cleaning company — and the right choice depends on your situation. A domestic worker employed by you directly falls under the Domestic Workers Sectoral Determination, which sets minimum wages, working hours, leave entitlements, and UIF obligations. If you employ someone directly, you're the employer in law, and the obligations that come with that are yours.
A cleaning company that supplies staff operates differently — their workers are employed by the company, not by you, which removes most of the direct employment liability. This is usually the cleaner arrangement for irregular or once-off cleans. For ongoing weekly or daily cleaning, you'll need to decide which model suits your situation, understanding that a cleaning company will typically cost more per hour than hiring directly because their price includes employment costs and overhead.
Specialist cleaning services — end-of-lease cleans, post-renovation cleaning, carpet or upholstery cleaning — are distinct from general domestic cleaning and should be quoted separately. Don't assume a general cleaning company does all of these well. Ask explicitly whether they have experience with your specific type of clean and what equipment they bring.
Vet the Company and Its Staff Before Anyone Enters Your Home
For a cleaning company, the minimum you should expect is: proof of business registration, proof of public liability insurance, and clarity on how their staff are vetted. Ask specifically whether staff are police-cleared (criminal background checked). Reputable cleaning companies conduct background checks as standard and won't be defensive about confirming it. If a company is evasive about their vetting process, treat that as a serious red flag.
Public liability insurance covers accidental damage to your property caused by the cleaner — a broken ornament, a scratched floor, a spilled cleaning product on an expensive rug. Without it, a damage dispute becomes a personal negotiation with no guarantee of outcome. Ask to see a copy of the certificate, not just a verbal assurance that they're covered.
For individual domestic workers placed through an agency, the same principles apply. Ask whether the agency runs background checks on all placements and whether they carry insurance. An agency that places workers without any vetting is essentially just a matchmaking service, not a professional staffing provider.
Agree on Scope and Products Before the First Clean
Most cleaning disputes come down to scope — what was agreed versus what was delivered. Before any work starts, confirm in writing (even a WhatsApp message constitutes a record) exactly what areas will be cleaned, what tasks are included, and what is specifically excluded. Inside kitchen cupboards? Oven cleaning? Windows? Skirting boards? These are often assumed by the client and skipped by the cleaner unless explicitly included in the brief.
Chemical safety is also worth raising upfront. If anyone in your home has respiratory conditions, skin sensitivities, or allergies, ask what cleaning products the service uses and whether they can substitute specific products on request. A professional service should have no issue with this. Many cleaning companies now offer eco-friendly product options — ask whether this is available and whether it affects the price.
Establish clearly who supplies the products and equipment. Some services bring everything; others expect you to supply materials. If they're using your products, you're responsible for ensuring those products are safe and appropriate for your surfaces. If they bring their own, confirm the products are safe for use around children and pets if that applies to your home.
Understand Pricing Structures and Watch for Hidden Costs
Cleaning services in South Africa typically quote per hour, per session (flat rate), or per square metre for larger properties. Per-hour quotes can be risky without an agreed cap — a job quoted at two hours can quietly expand to three. Per-session flat-rate quotes are cleaner for budgeting but require a shared understanding of what the session includes.
Ask directly: what happens if the clean takes longer than estimated? Is there a surcharge? For a first clean at a new property, most services price higher than the ongoing rate because the first visit typically involves more effort. Confirm whether the initial clean is priced differently before committing to what seems like an affordable ongoing rate.
For recurring services, establish whether the price is fixed for a period or subject to increases. Get at least 30 days written notice of any price increase as part of your agreement — this is standard practice and any reputable provider will agree to it. Under the Consumer Protection Act, you're entitled to clear pricing before agreeing to a service, and to a written record of what was agreed.
Know What the Law Says About Domestic Workers
If you employ a domestic worker directly — paying them personally, setting their schedule, and directing their work — you are legally their employer, regardless of whether you have a written contract. The Domestic Workers Sectoral Determination sets the minimum wage (updated annually by the Department of Labour), and you're required to register them for UIF contributions, which means monthly deductions and payments to SARS.
Failure to register and contribute UIF is a legal offence that can expose you to penalties and back-payments. It also means the worker has no UIF cover if they're retrenched or fall ill. The process is straightforward — registration through the SARS eFiling portal — and the cost is modest compared to the legal exposure of not complying.
You're also required to provide a written contract within the first month of employment, outlining hours, duties, pay, and leave entitlements. Leave entitlements for domestic workers include annual leave, sick leave, and maternity leave. These aren't negotiable and can't be contracted out of. A basic contract template is available on the Department of Employment and Labour website.
Red Flags That Indicate an Unreliable Provider
Watch for cleaning companies that can't provide a business registration number or insurance certificate when asked. Reluctance to put pricing in writing before the job starts. No clarity on staff vetting or an outright refusal to discuss it. Cash-only payment with no receipt. Pressure to pay a large deposit before any work is done.
Also be cautious of very low pricing. Cleaning is labour-intensive work, and pricing significantly below market rate usually means staff are being underpaid, corners are being cut on vetting, or both. A service priced at R80 per hour in a market where the going rate is R160–R200 deserves scrutiny.
Quick Checklist Before You Book
- Confirm the company has public liability insurance and ask to see the certificate
- Ask specifically whether all staff are police-cleared before placement
- Get a written scope of work — exactly which areas and tasks are included
- Confirm who supplies cleaning products and ask what chemicals will be used
- Clarify how pricing works if the job takes longer than estimated
- If employing a domestic worker directly, register them for UIF and provide a written contract
- Use a written agreement for recurring services including a price-change notice period
- Never pay the full amount in advance before any work has been completed
Reading reviews from other South African homeowners is one of the most reliable ways to filter cleaning services — look for consistent mentions of trustworthiness, punctuality, and what happens when something goes wrong. KiesSlim lists cleaning services across South Africa with verified customer reviews to help you find a provider you can trust with your home.