Moving out is a lot. You’ve got boxes stacked like a game of Tetris gone wrong, a van booked for Saturday, and a landlord who’s suddenly developed a forensic interest in the grout. The last thing you need is to hand over your keys along with your bond.
This completely depends on who you hire to clean the place. Ask the right questions upfront, and you’re golden. Skip them, and you might find yourself footing extra bills while your landlord scrutinises a grease mark you swear wasn’t there.
Here’s everything you need to ask before booking a service.
What’s Included in the Service?
Before making a decision, you need to know what you’re paying for. Not all cleaning packages are created equal, and one company’s idea of a ‘full clean’ can look very different from another’s.
Ask for a written checklist. A thorough end-of-lease cleaning service in Melbourne should cover kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, windows, skirting boards, and light fittings. But if something isn’t on the list, don’t assume it’s included.
You also have specific items to confirm: oven interior, range hood filters, grout, window sills, and the areas behind appliances. These are the spots landlords love to check and tenants forget to mention when booking.
Do You Cover Carpet Steam Cleaning?
Carpets are their own category. Many cleaning companies quote for a general clean and leave carpet steam cleaning as a separate, and sometimes pricey, add-on.
And in Australia, this part often matters more than people realise. Many lease agreements require professional steam cleaning before you move out, so you need to check your lease to see whether it’s mandatory or just recommended.
If the company does offer it, ask whether it’s included in the quoted price or billed separately. It’s a small detail to clarify upfront, but it can save you from a very awkward surprise when the final bill arrives.
Are You Insured and Properly Licensed?
Accidents happen—a knocked appliance, a scratched benchtop, or a broken window. If the company isn’t insured, guess who’s covering the damage?
Ask specifically for public liability insurance. Any reputable operation should have it and confirm it immediately and without a hint of panic.
And while you’re at it, check that they’re licensed as well. That usually means they’re operating legitimately and following the standards expected in the industry.
It’s a quick question that will help you filter out the dodgy operators you definitely don’t want in your home.
Can I Get a Full Written Quote Before Booking?
Verbal quotes have a funny way of ballooning once the job is done. So, always push for a written, itemised quote that lists every room, every service, and every dollar.
Check that the quote covers the whole property, not just the obvious areas.
Balconies, garages, storage spaces, and gardens often get left off, and they’re exactly the kind of thing that shows up on a landlord’s defect list. If it’s on your lease agreement, make sure it’s on the quote.
Also, ask how they handle pricing if the property needs more work than expected. Some services will call you mid-job to approve extra charges, which is fine, while others will just add it to the bill and hope you don’t notice.
Are There Any Extra Fees I Should Know About?
Following on from the quote, ask directly about additional charges.
Some companies charge more for things like heavily soiled stoves, mouldy bathrooms, or larger properties. Others add fees for same-day bookings, late-evening work, or tricky access situations like multi-storey buildings without lifts.
None of this is unusual, and most cleaners are upfront about it if you ask. However, it’s much more reassuring to hear about those costs before the booking than when the invoice lands.
And yes, it might feel a bit awkward to ask, but it’s far less stressful than standing in your kitchen later, squinting at a bill that somehow grew legs overnight.
Do You Use Eco-Friendly Products?
This is worth asking, especially if you’ve got kids, pets, or simply don’t want to fumigate your old place with industrial-strength chemicals before handing back the keys.
Many green cleaning products work just as well as conventional ones and leave no harsh residue behind. A company that uses biodegradable, low-chemical solutions is a good sign; it shows they’re thinking beyond just ticking boxes.
It won’t affect your bond outcome either way, but it can be a solid tiebreaker when you’re choosing between two similarly priced services.
What’s Your Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy?
Moving rarely goes exactly to plan. The handover can get delayed, and the removalists may run late. Before you lock in a booking, find out what happens if you need to reschedule.
Some companies charge a fee for last-minute cancellations. Others are more flexible and allow you to reschedule if you give enough notice. The important thing is to ask where that cutoff point is.
And don’t just rely on a quick phone answer. Ask for the policy in writing along with your quote so there’s no confusion later.
It’s not pessimism; it’s just smart planning when you’ve got a dozen other things to juggle.
Do You Offer a Bond-Back Guarantee?
This is the big one. A bond-back guarantee means the company will return to re-clean any areas flagged during the final inspection at no extra cost to you.
Not every company offers this, but many of the better ones do. It shows they’re confident in their work and committed to the outcome, not just the invoice.
Ask what the timeframe is for the re-clean and what’s required to qualify. Usually, you need to report the issue within 24–72 hours of the inspection.
Can You Provide Recent Reviews or References?
Reviews are your window into what the experience is actually like, so check Google, Trustpilot, or local directories for recent feedback.
However, don’t just skim the star rating. Look for patterns. One bad review in fifty is noise, but ten reviews mentioning the same issue is a signal.
Pay attention to comments about punctuality, communication, and whether the bond was successfully returned.
If you want to feel even more confident about your decision, ask the company directly for references from recent clients. Any business worth booking won’t have a problem with that request.
Conclusion
The hard part isn’t the cleaning itself. It’s trusting someone else to care about your rental as much as you do right now.
But with the right questions asked and the right crew booked, you can hand over those keys without so much as a backwards glance. So, what are you waiting for? Close this tab, make the call, and go enjoy the part of moving where you don’t have to lift a finger for a change.