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Help CenterBefore, during and after your cleaning
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bay Area Best Maids FAQ answers what people ask before booking, on the day of their cleaning and if something needs attention afterward. Pick a topic below to jump straight to pricing, scheduling, home access, payments, our satisfaction guarantee or service areas. Where a detail depends on your home or booking, we say so plainly and tell you where it gets confirmed.
11 topicsBooking to follow-upPlain answersYour quote and booking terms confirm the specifics for your appointment
- Background-checked, trained, insured teams
- Flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
- Guarantee on flat-rate cleaning
- Free online quote
Getting started
Choosing a Cleaning Service
Most visitors start the Bay Area Best Maids FAQ here: which service fits your home right now. For the full list, see our Bay Area house cleaning services.
What’s included in a standard house cleaning?
A standard cleaning is routine maintenance for a home that’s already in reasonable shape: kitchen surfaces and appliance exteriors, bathrooms, dusting of reachable surfaces, floors, and tidy bedrooms and living areas. It keeps a home clean rather than removing heavy buildup. The full checklist is on our standard house cleaning page, and the scope for your home is confirmed in your quote.
What’s the difference between deep cleaning and standard cleaning?
Standard cleaning maintains; deep cleaning restores. A deep clean spends more time on buildup, grime and detail areas that regular visits don’t reach every time, so it usually takes longer and costs more. Read the side-by-side comparison in deep cleaning vs. standard cleaning, or see our deep cleaning service.
Should I book a deep clean before starting recurring service?
Often, yes, if your home has buildup that a maintenance visit can’t fully handle. A first deep clean brings the home to a baseline that regular visits can then keep up. If your home is already well maintained, you may not need one. Describe your home’s condition in your quote request and we’ll tell you which starting point makes sense.
Do you offer weekly, biweekly or monthly cleaning?
Yes. We offer weekly, bi-weekly (every two weeks) and monthly cleaning, as well as one-time visits. Recurring weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cleanings often qualify for discounted rates, confirmed in your quote. Compare options on our recurring house cleaning page, or book a single one-time house cleaning.
What’s the difference between hourly and flat-rate cleaning?
Flat-rate cleaning is priced for an agreed scope before the visit, so the price doesn’t depend on how long the work takes. Hourly cleaning is billed by time and is customizable: you choose the priorities and the team works through them. One important difference: our satisfaction guarantee applies to flat-rate cleaning only, not hourly cleaning. See hourly house cleaning for when it fits best.
Do you offer move-in and move-out cleaning?
Yes. We clean homes before you move in and after you move out, when the space is empty and every surface is reachable. See move-out cleaning and move-in cleaning for what each covers. Tell us your move date and whether the home will be empty when you request a quote.
What types of homes do you clean?
We clean studios, apartments, condos, townhomes and houses. Building details such as entry codes, concierge check-in, stairs and parking affect planning, so include them in your request. Renting in the city? See apartment cleaning in San Francisco.
Pricing
Pricing and Quotes
We quote each home individually instead of publishing one rate. Here’s how that works.
How do I get an exact quote?
Request a free quote online; it takes about 60 seconds. The quote form asks for your ZIP code, service type, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, preferred date and arrival window, plus any special instructions. The more accurate those details are, the more accurate your quote.
What affects the price of a cleaning?
The main factors are the service type (standard, deep, move-in/move-out or hourly), the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, how often you book, and the home’s current condition. Extra requests also matter. Your quote reflects the details you give us, so mention pets, heavy buildup or special tasks up front.
Do extra bathrooms or special tasks cost more?
Bathroom count is part of every quote, so more bathrooms are reflected in the price. For tasks beyond the usual scope, list them in the special-instructions field. Whether a specific task is available, and any added cost, is confirmed in your quote before you book.
Are there hidden fees?
No. Our flat-rate pricing means no hidden fees and no surprises: the price for the agreed scope is set in your quote. Hourly cleaning is billed by time instead. If you want to add work beyond what was quoted, ask first so any change in price is clear before it’s done.
Does recurring cleaning cost less per visit?
Often. Recurring weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cleanings often qualify for discounted rates compared with a one-time visit. Your actual per-visit rate depends on your home and schedule and is confirmed in your quote. To compare schedules over a full year, see recurring house cleaning.
Scheduling
Booking and Scheduling
From quote to confirmed appointment.
How do I book a cleaning?
You can book online without calling. Start with a free quote, or schedule directly through online booking, which takes just a few minutes. If you have questions first, send them through our contact page.
When is my appointment confirmed?
Your appointment is set once your date and arrival window are confirmed with you, not when you first submit a quote request. A preferred date on the quote form is a request, and availability depends on the schedule. How and when confirmation reaches you is part of your booking terms; if you haven’t heard back, ask through our contact page.
Can I choose an arrival time?
You can choose a preferred arrival window on the quote form, such as 8–10am, 9–11am, 12–2pm, 1–3pm, 2–4pm or 3–5pm. The window you get depends on availability for your date and location, and it’s confirmed when your booking is set.
Preparation
Before Your Cleaning
Access, preparation, pets and supplies, sorted before the team arrives.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
No, you don’t need to be home. Many clients provide access instructions and go about their day, and our cleaners are fully vetted. If you’d rather be there, for the first visit or every visit, that’s fine too.
How do I give you a door code or key?
Share access details with your booking, for example a lockbox, a spare key, a building entry code or concierge instructions. Include building rules such as check-in, elevator or parking notes. Don’t post codes anywhere public. How keys are handled for recurring visits is confirmed when you book.
How should I prepare for my cleaning?
You don’t need to pre-clean. Pick up clutter from floors, counters and tables so surfaces are reachable, and put away valuables and fragile items. Point out delicate surfaces such as natural stone or antiques, leave fresh linens out if you want beds made, and share parking and access notes.
What if I have pets?
Tell us about your pets when you book, including anything about their temperament. Keeping anxious pets in a closed room or crate during the visit helps everyone. Mention heavy shedding too, because pet hair on floors and furniture affects the time needed.
Are cleaning supplies and equipment included?
Which supplies and equipment are included is confirmed with your quote and booking, so ask if it matters to you. If you want certain surfaces cleaned with your own products, note that in your special instructions and leave them out where they’re easy to find.
On the day
During Your Appointment
Who comes, how long it takes, and how to adjust the plan.
How many cleaners will come?
It depends on your home’s size, the service you book and the scope of work. Team size is planned for each booking, so ask when you book if you’d like to know who to expect.
How long does a cleaning take?
Time on site depends on the home’s size, its condition, the service type and the number of cleaners. A deep or move-out clean takes longer than a maintenance visit for the same home. With flat-rate cleaning, the price is set by the scope, not the clock; with hourly cleaning, the time you book shapes what gets done.
Can you use specific or fragrance-free products?
Ask when you book. Note any product preferences, sensitivities or fragrance-free needs in the special-instructions field, and whether we can meet them will be confirmed before your visit. If you prefer products certified under EPA Safer Choice or want your own products used, say so up front.
Can I add tasks after the cleaning starts?
You can ask. Whether a task can be added depends on the time available and the schedule for the day. With flat-rate cleaning, anything beyond the quoted scope may change the price, so agree on it before the work is done. With hourly cleaning, added tasks come out of the time you booked.
Billing
Payments and Billing
This part of the Bay Area Best Maids FAQ covers deposits and payment methods. These terms are part of your booking, so if anything isn’t clear, ask before you book.
Do I need to pay a deposit or pay in advance?
Whether a deposit or advance payment is required is confirmed in your quote and booking terms. We don’t list a standard deposit amount on this page. If you need to know before you request a quote, ask through our contact page.
What payment methods do you accept?
Accepted payment methods are confirmed when you book. Please don’t send payment card details through the contact form or in a message. If you have a billing question, contact us and mention your appointment date.
Want to see your price?Share your home’s details for a free quote. Scope and terms are confirmed before you book.
Get Cleaning PricingChanges
Cancellations and Changes
Plans change. Here’s how to handle it.
How do I reschedule or cancel a cleaning?
Contact us as early as you can through our contact page, and say it’s about an existing appointment, with your date and address. The notice period and any cancellation fee are set in your booking terms; we don’t publish a deadline or fee here, so check your terms or ask us before you book.
Can I skip a visit or change my recurring schedule?
You can ask to change your frequency, for example from weekly to bi-weekly, as your needs change. Contact us with the change you want. Terms for skipped visits and schedule changes are confirmed in your booking terms, so ask about them up front when you set up recurring cleaning.
What happens if the cleaner can’t get into my home?
If you know there’s an access problem, such as a changed code or a missing key, contact us right away. If the team can’t get in, whether the visit is rescheduled and whether any fee applies is set by your booking terms. Checking access details before each visit is the best way to avoid it.
Follow-up
Satisfaction and Service Concerns
Of all the Bay Area Best Maids policies, this is the one to read closely: what our guarantee covers, what it doesn’t, and how to tell us about a problem.
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
Yes, for flat-rate cleaning. If you’re not happy with a flat-rate cleaning, we’ll make it right or refund your money. The guarantee applies to flat-rate cleaning only; it does not cover hourly cleaning. Eligibility and how to make a request are confirmed in your service terms; to raise a concern, use our contact page.
How soon should I report a missed area?
As soon as possible, ideally the day you notice it, while the details are fresh. The exact reporting window is set in your service terms, so check them or ask us if you’re unsure. When you contact us, include your appointment date, the rooms or areas involved and a short description; photos can help.
Does the satisfaction guarantee apply to hourly cleaning?
No. Per our posted terms, the satisfaction guarantee applies to flat-rate cleaning only and does not apply to hourly cleaning. With hourly cleaning you choose the priorities and the time, so share your most important tasks first. If something concerns you after an hourly visit, you can still contact us.
Trust
Safety and Property Care
Who comes into your home, and what we don’t handle.
Are your cleaners vetted and insured?
Yes. Bay Area Best Maids is fully licensed and insured, and all our cleaning teams are background-checked, trained and fully insured. If you need specific insurance details for your building or property manager, ask through our contact page. Our hiring standards are on our careers page.
What happens if something is accidentally damaged?
Tell us right away through our contact page, with your appointment date, what was damaged and photos if you can. Our teams are fully insured, and how a damage report is reviewed and resolved is handled under your service terms. Pointing out fragile items and delicate surfaces before the visit helps prevent problems.
Do you clean mold or hazardous materials?
No. Mold remediation, biohazards and hazardous materials are not part of ordinary house cleaning and need qualified specialists. The EPA’s mold guidance explains when professional remediation is needed. If you’re unsure whether something counts, describe it in your quote request before booking.
Coverage
Service Areas
Where we clean, and how to check your address. Full details are on our service areas page.
Which Bay Area cities do you serve?
We’re a San Francisco-based company serving San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. Listed areas include Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo, Palo Alto, San Jose, Daly City, South San Francisco, Redwood City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Fremont, along with surrounding communities. Contact us to confirm service availability at your specific location, or browse our service areas.
How do I check whether you serve my address?
Enter your ZIP code and address in the quote form, and we’ll confirm whether we can clean there. A listed city doesn’t guarantee every address or date, so availability is confirmed for your location and appointment. If you’re just outside a listed area, ask anyway.
Support
Contact and Support
Didn’t find your answer among these Bay Area Best Maids questions? Here’s how to reach us.
How do I contact customer support?
Send us a message through our contact page and choose the topic that fits, such as an existing appointment, billing or a service concern. For new pricing, the quote form is the fastest route. Include your appointment date and address for anything about an existing booking, and never include payment card details.
Is the Bay Area Best Maids FAQ the final word on my booking terms?
No. This page summarizes general Bay Area Best Maids policies and how our service works. The quote and booking terms for your appointment are what apply to it, including any deposit, cancellation, payment and reporting details. If anything seems different, ask us before you book.
Next step
Still have a question?
We’re happy to answer it before you book.
If the Bay Area Best Maids FAQ didn’t cover your situation, send us a message and tell us about your home. Ready for numbers? Get a free quote and we’ll confirm the scope, your address and your date. Learn more about Bay Area Best Maids.