Johannesburg/Gauteng has hundreds of cleaning companies — from large established businesses to individual cleaners operating informally. When you are inviting someone into your home, the cheapest option is rarely the safest. This guide walks you through exactly how to evaluate and choose a cleaning company you can trust.
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## 1. Are Their Cleaners Background-Checked?
This is the single most important question to ask. A professional cleaning company sends employees into your home — often when you are not there. You need to know that each person has been screened.
Background checks for domestic workers in South Africa should include a criminal record check through the South African Police Service (SAPS) as well as identity verification. Some companies go further with previous employer references.
Ask the company directly: “What background screening does each cleaner undergo before you send them to a client’s home?” If they are vague, or if they say they rely on the cleaner’s “good reputation,” look elsewhere.
At Royall Cleaning, every employee undergoes a comprehensive background check before their first day. We can explain our process to any client who asks.
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## 2. Are They Fully Insured?
Accidents happen. A cleaner knocking over an expensive vase, a mop bucket spilling on a laptop, or a more serious incident — these things do occur in any home. A reputable cleaning company carries public liability insurance that covers damage caused by their employees while on your premises.
Ask for confirmation of insurance cover before booking. Any serious company will have this in place and will not mind being asked.
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## 3. Do They Offer a Fixed Price or an Hourly Rate?
Both models exist, but fixed pricing is almost always better for the client. With a fixed price, you know exactly what you will pay before the cleaner arrives. With an hourly rate, you have no guaranteed ceiling on the cost.
When you request a quote, ask: “Is this a fixed price, or is it estimated?” Always get the quote in writing — even a WhatsApp confirmation is better than a verbal promise.
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## 4. Do They Have Verifiable Google Reviews?
One of the easiest ways to assess a Johannesburg cleaning company is to look at their Google Business Profile. Genuine reviews from real clients in your area carry significant weight. Look for:
– A rating of 4.5 stars or higher
– Enough reviews to be meaningful (at least 30–50 for an established company)
– Recent reviews (not all from three years ago)
– Responses from the company — this shows they are engaged and accountable
Be cautious of companies with a perfect 5.0 from only five reviews, or where all reviews appeared within a single week.
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## 5. Do They Supply Their Own Products and Equipment?
A well-run cleaning company arrives fully equipped. This includes professional-grade vacuum cleaners, mops, microfibre cloths, and cleaning products appropriate for different surfaces.
If a company expects you to supply everything, you take on responsibility for whether the products are suitable — and the cleaner’s effectiveness depends on what you have available. At Royall Cleaning, our teams arrive with all equipment and eco-friendly, non-toxic products that are safe for children, pets, and sensitive surfaces.
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## 6. What Is Their Satisfaction Guarantee?
Even the best cleaning companies occasionally miss a spot or fall short of expectations. The difference between a good company and a great one is how they handle it. Before you book, ask: “What happens if I am not happy with the clean?”
A reputable company will offer a free re-clean within 24 hours — no argument, no charge. This is standard practice at Royall Cleaning. We inspect every clean before leaving, and if anything is not right after we leave, we come back and fix it.
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## 7. How Do They Handle Scheduling and Communication?
Reliability is everything in domestic cleaning. You need a company that:
– Confirms your booking in writing (WhatsApp is fine)
– Notifies you if there is any change to the schedule
– Has a phone number you can actually reach during business hours
– Responds to queries within a reasonable time
Test this before you book: WhatsApp or email them with a question and see how long they take to respond and how clearly they communicate. A company that is hard to reach before the booking will be harder to reach if there is a problem.
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## 8. Do They Have Experience With Your Type of Property?
Domestic cleaning, office cleaning, and after-builders cleaning require different skills and equipment. If you need your office cleaned, make sure the company has commercial cleaning experience. If you have just finished a renovation, an after-builders clean requires specialist knowledge.
At Royall Cleaning, we offer seven distinct services — [domestic cleaning](/domestic-cleaning-johannesburg/), office cleaning, carpet cleaning, deep cleaning, after-builders cleaning, once-off cleaning, and rubble removal — each handled by teams trained for that specific type of work.
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## A Quick Checklist Before You Book
Print this out or screenshot it:
– [ ] Background checks confirmed? Yes / No
– [ ] Public liability insurance confirmed? Yes / No
– [ ] Fixed price in writing? Yes / No
– [ ] Google reviews verified? Rating: ____ / Number of reviews: ____
– [ ] Products and equipment included? Yes / No
– [ ] Satisfaction guarantee confirmed? Yes / No
– [ ] Communication tested — how long to reply? ____
– [ ] Experience with my property type confirmed? Yes / No
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## Why Johannesburg Homeowners Choose Royall Cleaning
Royall Cleaning has been serving Johannesburg since 2016. Every cleaner is background-checked and insured. We supply all products and equipment. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. And we respond to all queries within two hours, Monday to Saturday.
We cover all Johannesburg suburbs including Sandton, Randburg, Fourways, Midrand, Soweto, Roodepoort, Kempton Park, Boksburg, Benoni, Edenvale, and more.
[Get your free, fixed quote today.](/) No obligation, no hidden fees.