How to find a good house cleaner in Markham, Ontario

What a cleaner spends time on in Markham depends on the house. The heritage homes of Unionville and Markham Village have older wood floors, trim and radiators that need gentler products. The townhouses of Cornell and Cathedraltown, built from the late 1990s on, have three storeys of stairs and rear-lane garages. Newer detached homes often have large open kitchens and finished basements that add hours. Tell the cleaner the layout, not just the bedroom count.

Do house cleaners need a licence in Markham?

No. The City of Markham's business licensing covers a short list of categories, and the only trade-type licence is for driveway paving contractors. Ontario has no provincial licence for residential cleaning either. That means the checks that matter are the ones you do: photo ID, references from recent clients, and, for a company, a real business name and a written agreement.

Company or independent cleaner?

Both work; the trade-offs are predictable. A company sends a team, covers sick days with another cleaner, and usually charges more per hour. An independent cleaner is often less expensive and you see the same person every time, but a holiday or illness means no clean that week. With either, ask who will actually come and whether it will be the same person each visit.

The market ranges come from published 2025 and 2026 GTA cleaning price guides: companies commonly bill about $35 to $70 an hour per cleaner, independents less, and a standard visit for an average home lands in the range above. Doyo's prices are the full price, Doyo's fee included, and every Doyo pro has passed government photo ID with selfie matching and a police record check before being offered work.

What should I ask a house cleaner before the first visit?

• Do you bring the supplies and equipment, including a vacuum, or should I provide them?
• What exactly is included in a standard visit, and what counts as extra (inside the fridge, oven, windows, laundry)?
• How long will the first clean take? First visits are usually longer.
• Will the same person come each time?
• How do you handle keys, lockbox codes or a condo concierge?
• What is your cancellation policy, for you and for me?

What are the red flags when hiring a cleaner?

• No full name, no ID shown, or a refusal to give references.
• A price that changes on arrival with no reason tied to the house.
• Pressure to pay for many visits up front.
• Mixing products without care. Health Canada warns never to mix bleach with ammonia-based glass cleaners or acids such as vinegar, because it produces toxic gas.

How often should I book a cleaner?

Every two weeks is the most common schedule for a family home, with a deep clean once or twice a year. Weekly suits homes with pets or young children; monthly works for a condo or a home with one or two people. Start with a deep clean, then move to standard visits, so the regular cleans have a clean baseline to maintain.

When is the busiest time for cleaners in Markham?

The last and first days of each month, when leases turn over and move-out cleans stack up, and the spring weeks before Easter and the weeks before the winter holidays. Book a move-out clean at least a week ahead of the key handover, and leave the home empty and the utilities on, since a cleaner needs hot water and lights.