How to Choose a Cleaner in Prague: 10 Signs of Quality

Finding a good cleaner is a bit like finding a good hairdresser. Five minutes at first glance, but years of happy cooperation when it clicks. In this guide we go through 10 concrete signs of quality + 5 red flags to avoid. Plus the questions worth asking before the first visit.

10 signs of a good cleaner

1. Verified phone and the “Verified in person” badge

Every cleaner on HledámÚklid has her phone number verified with an SMS code. With some of them we have also spoken on a short video call or in person — they have a “Verified in person” badge next to their name. The badge is not a guarantee of quality; choose based on ratings and your own conversation too.

2. Real reviews (at least 20)

Reviews from completed jobs are the best signal of quality. Look at:

• Number — at least 20 reviews. Fewer = not enough data.
• Detail — “Olena arrived on time, worked 2.5 h and made the bathroom tiles sparkle” says more than “All great”.
• Distribution — are they all 5★? A little suspicious. Realistically, 80 % 5★, 15 % 4★ and 5 % lower shows the reviews are authentic.
• Negative reviews — more important than the positive ones. See how the cleaner responded — a professional apology > defending herself > ignoring it.

3. Rating above 4.7★

Below 4.5★ → be careful. 4.5–4.7★ → not recommended for luxury flats or special requirements. 4.7–4.9★ → a solid average. 4.9★+ → TOP, often with a waiting list.

4. Liability insurance

If the cleaner breaks an antique or scratches expensive floors, who pays? A professional has liability insurance (CZK 300,000–500,000 cover). Cleaners arrange insurance themselves and the platform does not verify it — ask about it in advance.

5. Her own equipment (or flexibility)

Most cleaners bring their own products and vacuum cleaner. The advantages:

• You don’t have to store anything
• The cleaner knows her equipment and works faster
• If you prefer a particular eco cleaner, you can say so in advance

If the cleaner does NOT have her own equipment, it should be clearly stated in her profile + reflected in a lower price. Some clients prefer their own (allergies, eco, expensive surfaces).

6. 1+ year of experience

Newcomers (0–6 months) are cheaper but not always reliable. Years of practice mean:

• Speed — an experienced cleaner does in 2 h what a newcomer does in 3 h
• Reliability — she has learned how important punctuality is
• Know-how — she knows how to clean a specific type of floor / appliance

7. A professional profile photo

A real photo of her face (not a cartoon avatar or an empty circle) is a basic trust signal. If a cleaner shows her face, it’s a sign that:

• She takes her work seriously (professional presentation)
• She has nothing to hide
• She is more motivated to do a good job (her face is her brand)

8. Quick communication (within 12 h)

Send the cleaner a direct offer (the 39 CZK is charged only once she accepts it). A good cleaner replies within 12 hours (often much faster). If no reply comes within 24 h, that’s a warning — what happens when you need to sort something out quickly?

9. Transparent pricing

A good cleaner states clearly in her profile:

• Her hourly rate (e.g. 220 CZK/h)
• Minimum booking (e.g. 2 h = 440 CZK minimum)
• Surcharges (weekend, urgent, outside Prague) clearly specified
• What is and isn’t included in the price

If the price is “by agreement” or “depending on the scope” → run.

10. Specialisation

Generalists handle everything at an average level. Specialists are better at one thing. For standard cleaning, look for “Regular cleaning + Deep cleaning”. For special needs (window cleaning in high-rise buildings, carpet cleaning, ironing), find a cleaner with that specialisation — the result will be better.

5 red flags

1. 🚩 No profile photo or a stock photo — a serious cleaner shows her face
2. 🚩 A 5★ rating with 2–3 generic reviews (“All great”) — possibly fake
3. 🚩 Price “by agreement” or “depending on the scope” — leaves room for raising it later
4. 🚩 No description of what’s included in the price — a recipe for misunderstandings
5. 🚩 No liability insurance — if something breaks, you’re out of luck

Questions to ask before the first visit

As soon as the cleaner accepts your cleaning request or offer, message her with specific questions:

• How long does cleaning my flat usually take (give the m² and type)?
• What products do you use? Any eco alternatives?
• What should I prepare (keys, alarm, pets, etc.)?
• What if I need to cancel or move the appointment?
• Will I get a receipt for the payment?

A professional cleaner will answer everything within a few hours and without excuses.