What to Expect the First Time a House Cleaner Comes
By Extol Cleaning, owner Tamiris Kempner · Updated
When you hire a house cleaner, expect a quote based on your home, a scheduled visit, a team with its own supplies, a top-to-bottom cleaning and a clear way to report anything missed.
What happens before the first cleaning?
Before the first cleaning, the company learns about your home, gives you a price and sets a date. Expect questions about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the condition of the home, pets, and the type of cleaning you want. Many companies prefer to see the home before giving a final price.
A good first conversation covers:
- The size of the home in bedrooms and bathrooms
- When it was last cleaned and how it looks now
- The type of service: standard, deep, move-in or move-out
- Add-ons you want, such as inside the oven or fridge
- Pets in the home and where they will be
- How the team will get in
At Extol Cleaning, you can reach the team by call, text, WhatsApp or the form on the site. Extol answers the same day when possible, within 24 hours. Tamiris Kempner, the owner, prefers to see the home before quoting, and gives a quote without a visit when that works better for the client.
Visits are booked at least 24 hours ahead, Monday to Friday, between 7am and 10pm. Weekends are possible only by special arrangement.
Do I need to be home when the house cleaner comes?
No. Many people are not home during the cleaning. You can leave a key or share a door or lock code, and the team lets itself in and locks up when it leaves. If you prefer to be there for the first visit to walk through the home, that works too.
If you are not going to be home, share these details ahead of time:
- Where the key is, or the door or lock code
- Alarm instructions, if you have one
- Parking instructions for the team
- Rooms or areas to skip
- Pets and where they will be during the visit
Trust is the part most people worry about when they hire a cleaner for the first time. Reviews of Extol Cleaning often mention it. Andrea C., whose father has regular cleanings, wrote:
"Tamiris works for my father regularly and is amazing! She is reliable, hard working, kind, trustworthy, and great at what she does." Andrea C., September 2024
Do house cleaners bring their own supplies?
Most professional cleaning companies bring their own supplies and equipment, and Extol Cleaning does. You do not need to buy products or leave anything out. If you prefer greener products in your home, ask for the eco-friendly option when you schedule.
Ana R. noticed this on her visit:
"I couldn’t be happier with the service I received. From start to finish, they were professional, punctual, and incredibly thorough. The team arrived right on time, brought all their own supplies, and got straight to work. Every surface sparkled, and they didn’t miss a single detail, even the hard-to-reach spots were spotless! Communication was easy and clear, and they were very respectful of my home and schedule. It’s such a relief to walk into a clean space that feels fresh and organized. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for reliable, high-quality cleaning services. I’ll definitely be booking them again!" Ana R., July 2025
If you have a product you want used on a specific surface, such as a stone countertop or a wood floor, leave it out with a note.
What does a first house cleaning include?
A standard house cleaning covers the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and living areas from top to bottom: dusting reachable surfaces, cleaning counters and sinks, scrubbing toilets, tubs and showers, wiping appliance exteriors, emptying trash, and vacuuming and mopping the floors. Deeper tasks such as inside the oven belong to a deep cleaning or an add-on.
Knowing the difference between service types avoids surprises on the first visit:
| Item | Standard house cleaning | Deep cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen counters, sink, appliance exteriors | Included | Included |
| Bathrooms, toilets, tubs and showers | Included | Included |
| Dusting and floors | Included | Included |
| Inside the oven | Add-on | Included |
| Inside the fridge | Add-on | Included |
| Interior windows | Add-on | Included |
| Baseboards, doors and light fixtures | Part of deep cleaning | Included |
| Exterior windows | Add-on | Add-on |
At Extol Cleaning, walls are dusted and spot-cleaned, not washed. Exterior windows are always an add-on. Other add-ons include inside the oven, inside the fridge, interior windows, laundry, linen change and dishes.
If your home has not had a professional cleaning in a while, the first visit is often a deep cleaning. That resets the home, and later visits keep it there. If you are not sure which one you need, Call (781) 528-7227Text us and describe the home.
How should I get my home ready for the cleaner?
Getting ready is simple: pick up clutter, so the team can reach surfaces and floors, and put away valuables and personal papers. You do not need to clean before the cleaner comes. The more surfaces are clear, the more of the visit goes into cleaning instead of moving things.
A short checklist for the night before:
- Pick up clothes, toys and papers from floors and counters
- Put dishes in the sink or the dishwasher, unless dishes are an add-on
- Put away jewelry, cash and anything fragile you would rather handle yourself
- Leave a note with priority areas or rooms to skip
- Secure pets or tell the team where they will be
- Leave the key or confirm the code
Tell the team about anything delicate: an antique table, a marble counter, a floor with a special finish. Clear notes on the first visit save questions on every visit after it.
What if something is missed or I need to cancel?
Check the home after the first cleaning and report anything missed right away. Extol Cleaning comes back and re-cleans at no cost if you tell the team within 24 hours. Cancellations need 48 hours' notice; cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before the visit costs 50% of the visit; under 24 hours costs the full price.
Here is how the policies look side by side:
| Situation | Extol Cleaning policy |
|---|---|
| Something was missed | Tell the team within 24 hours and they return to re-clean that area at no cost |
| Cancelling a visit | 48 hours' notice |
| Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before the visit | 50% of the visit |
| Cancelling under 24 hours before the visit | Full price |
Walk through the rooms the same evening, while the visit is fresh. Look at the spots that matter most to you, such as the shower glass, the stovetop or the floor behind the toilet, and send a photo with your message if something needs another pass.
Payment is flexible: Zelle, Venmo, card, check or cash.
Book your first house cleaning with Extol Cleaning
Your first cleaning sets the standard for every visit after it, so it helps to hire a team that explains the process up front. Extol Cleaning is a women-owned, insured company based in Malden, MA, serving Greater Boston, the North Shore and Salem, NH. Tamiris Kempner has cleaned homes since 2019 and opened Extol Cleaning in 2023. The team works in English and Portuguese and welcomes dogs and cats.
If you want this done for you, see standard house cleaning in Greater Boston and the North Shore. To get a quote for your first visit, Call (781) 528-7227Text us
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I book my first house cleaning?
Book at least 24 hours ahead with Extol Cleaning, depending on availability. Visits happen Monday to Friday, between 7am and 10pm, and weekends only by special arrangement. Booking a few days out gives you more choice of dates, especially at the start of the month, when many people move in or out of homes in Greater Boston.
Who will be my point of contact?
Tamiris Kempner, the owner, leads the team and is your point of contact for quotes, scheduling and feedback. Extol Cleaning is a small team: Tamiris, one fixed team member and part-time help. The people on a given visit can vary, so leave written notes about your home, such as rooms to skip or surfaces that need care, and send any feedback straight to Tamiris.
Should I tip my house cleaner?
Tipping is a personal choice. Some people tip after a first cleaning, a big deep cleaning or around the holidays, and others show appreciation with a review. A short note about what you liked, or what you would change, helps the team as much as anything else on future visits.
What payment methods does Extol Cleaning accept?
Extol Cleaning accepts Zelle, Venmo, card, check and cash. Pricing is based on the size of the home, in bedrooms and bathrooms, or is a fixed price after Tamiris sees the home. If you want add-ons such as inside the oven or fridge, laundry or a linen change, mention them when you ask for the quote.
Do I have to clean before the house cleaner comes?
No. You only need to pick up clutter so the team can reach surfaces and floors. Clear counters, tables and floors let the visit go into cleaning instead of moving things. Put away valuables, papers and anything fragile you prefer to handle yourself, and leave a note with your priorities.
What if I am not happy with the first cleaning?
Tell Extol Cleaning within 24 hours of the visit, ideally with a photo of the area. The team comes back and re-cleans it at no cost. Clear feedback after the first visit also helps the team learn what matters most in your home, so later visits match what you expect.
Extol Cleaning, owner Tamiris Kempner. Updated October 27, 2026.
