How to Vet a Cleaning Company: Insurance, Bonding, and Reviews
Key Takeaways
- Oregon does not require a cleaning license — the responsibility of vetting falls entirely on you.
- Insurance is non-negotiable — ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation.
- Bonding protects against theft — it provides financial recourse if something goes missing.
- Reviews tell a pattern, not a story — look for trends across multiple platforms.
- Background checks should be standard — any company worth hiring screens their employees.
When you hire a cleaning company, you are giving strangers keys to your home. They will have access to your personal space, your belongings, and your family's private areas. That is a significant amount of trust.
Most cleaning companies are honest and professional. But Oregon's lack of a state cleaning license means there is no barrier to entry. Anyone can register a business with the Secretary of State and start cleaning houses tomorrow. No training requirements, no inspections, no mandatory insurance.
That is why vetting matters. Here is how to do it properly.
Step 1: Verify Insurance Coverage
Insurance is the single most important thing to check. It protects you if something goes wrong — a cleaner breaks a vase, scratches your hardwood floor, or gets injured in your home.
General Liability Insurance
This covers property damage and injuries that occur during the cleaning. If a cleaner knocks over a lamp or damages a countertop, general liability pays for the repair or replacement.
What to ask: "Do you carry general liability insurance? Can you provide a certificate of insurance?"
A reputable company will produce this document without hesitation. If they cannot or will not, move on.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Under ORS 656.017, Oregon requires employers with one or more workers to carry workers' compensation insurance. This covers medical costs and lost wages if a cleaner is injured on the job.
Why it matters for you: If a cleaning company does not have workers' comp and an employee gets hurt in your home, you could be held liable for their medical expenses. This is not hypothetical — it happens.
What to ask: "Do you carry workers' compensation insurance? Are your cleaners classified as employees or independent contractors?"
The contractor question is important. Some companies classify workers as independent contractors to avoid carrying workers' comp. If the company sends people to your home but calls them contractors, the coverage may not be what you expect.
Step 2: Check Bonding
A surety bond is a financial guarantee that protects you against theft or dishonest behavior. If a bonded cleaner steals something from your home, the bond provides a mechanism for you to file a claim and receive compensation.
What to ask: "Are you bonded? What is the bond amount?"
Bond amounts vary, but $10,000 to $50,000 is typical for residential cleaning companies in Oregon.
Important distinction: Being bonded does not mean theft will not happen. It means there is a financial backstop if it does. It also signals that the company has gone through the process of obtaining a bond, which itself is a vetting step — bonding companies evaluate the business before issuing the bond.
Step 3: Confirm Background Checks
Every cleaner who enters your home should have passed a background check. This is especially important given that Oregon does not have a licensing requirement that might otherwise include screening.
What to ask:
- "Do you run background checks on all employees?"
- "How recent was the last screening?"
- "Do you re-screen annually?"
- "What does the background check cover?" (Criminal history, sex offender registry, identity verification)
At Otesse, every contractor undergoes comprehensive background screening before they are assigned to any home. This is not negotiable for us, and it should not be for you.
Step 4: Verify Business Registration
Oregon cleaning companies should be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State. This does not guarantee quality, but it confirms the business is legally operating.
How to check: Search the Oregon Secretary of State business registry at sos.oregon.gov. Look for the company name, registration status, and whether it is current.
Also check: Is the company registered with the Oregon Department of Revenue? Do they have a business license in your city (Portland, Eugene, Salem, and others require city business licenses)?
Step 5: Read Reviews the Right Way
Online reviews are valuable, but most people read them wrong. Here is how to extract useful information.
Check Multiple Platforms
Do not rely on a single source. Check at least two of the following:
- Google Business Profile — largest review base, hardest to fake
- Yelp — detailed reviews, active filtering for suspicious ones
- Nextdoor — neighborhood-specific, often the most honest
- Facebook — useful for local businesses
- BBB (Better Business Bureau) — complaint history more than ratings
Look for Patterns, Not Outliers
Every business gets occasional bad reviews. A single one-star review among 200 four-star reviews is noise. But if you see the same complaint repeated — "they never show up on time," "they damaged my floor and would not pay for it," "different cleaner every time" — that is a pattern.
Red Flags in Reviews
| Red Flag | What It Suggests |
|---|---|
| All reviews posted within a short timeframe | Possibly purchased reviews |
| Generic, vague positive reviews | May not be from real customers |
| Multiple reports of damage with no resolution | Poor accountability |
| Complaints about billing surprises | Unclear pricing practices |
| Reviews mentioning different service than described | Inconsistent service delivery |
Green Flags in Reviews
| Green Flag | What It Suggests |
|---|---|
| Specific details about the cleaning experience | Real customers |
| Mentions of the same cleaner by name over time | Consistent staffing |
| Owner responds to negative reviews professionally | Accountability |
| Reviews spread over months or years | Organic growth |
| Mentions of how issues were resolved | Good customer service |
Step 6: Ask the Right Questions
Once you have verified insurance, bonding, and reviews, there are a few more questions worth asking.
- How long have you been in business in Oregon? Longevity matters. Companies that have been around for years have a track record.
- What is your satisfaction guarantee? Reputable companies will come back and address any issues at no extra cost.
- What is your cancellation policy? Know the terms before you commit.
- Will the same person clean my home each time? Consistency improves quality and trust.
- What happens if something is damaged? Know the claims process before an incident occurs.
For a complete guide to hiring, see How to Hire a Cleaning Service for the First Time.
Red Flags That Should End the Conversation
Walk away immediately if a cleaning company:
- Cannot provide proof of insurance. No documentation = no protection.
- Insists on cash-only payment. No paper trail is a problem.
- Will not answer questions about background checks. Transparency should be the baseline.
- Has no online presence at all. No website, no reviews, no social media — in 2026, this is unusual.
- Quotes a price far below market rate. In Oregon, a standard cleaning under $80 for a 3-bedroom home means something is being cut. To understand what professional cleaners typically bring, see What Professional Cleaners Bring vs What You Provide.
- Refuses to do a walkthrough or provide a written estimate. Professional companies document everything.
Oregon-Specific Vetting Tips
Check city business licenses. Portland, Eugene, Salem, Corvallis, and other Oregon cities require separate business licenses. Ask the company if they are licensed in your city.
Oregon BOLI complaints. The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) tracks complaints against businesses. Check whether the company has any filed against them.
Ask about eco-friendly practices. Oregon homeowners tend to care about environmental responsibility. A company that uses green products and responsible disposal methods is often a better-run operation overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oregon require a license for cleaning companies? No. Oregon does not have a state licensing requirement for residential cleaning businesses. Anyone can register a business and start operating. This makes your own vetting process critically important.
What insurance should a cleaning company have? At minimum: general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance (required under Oregon law for employers with one or more workers). A surety bond is also strongly recommended.
How do I verify a cleaning company's insurance? Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI). This is a standard document that any insured company can provide. You can also contact the insurance company directly to verify coverage.
Are online reviews reliable? When you read them correctly, yes. Check multiple platforms, look for patterns rather than individual reviews, and be skeptical of reviews that are too generic or posted in suspicious clusters.
What is the difference between bonding and insurance? Insurance covers accidents and damage. Bonding covers theft and dishonest acts. Both are important, and reputable professional cleaning services carry both.
Otesse Is Fully Vetted — So You Do Not Have To
At Otesse, we carry full insurance and bonding, run comprehensive background checks, and maintain a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We do the vetting so you do not have to worry about it.
Get a free quote and see why Oregon homeowners trust us from Portland to Eugene.
Have questions? Call us at 541-844-2585 or request a quote online.
