Cleaning Services Licensing in Ontario

No specific licence or trade certification is required for residential cleaning services in Ontario. However, cleaning businesses must be registered with the province, and employees should be trained in WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) for handling cleaning chemicals. In Toronto, commercial building cleaners require a City of Toronto business licence. HST registration is required if annual revenue exceeds $30,000. Liability insurance ($1M+ CGL) is strongly recommended.

Ask for proof of liability insurance and whether their employees are bonded. Check online reviews and references.

(1) No liability insurance - cleaning involves accessing your entire home (2) Extremely low pricing that suggests uninsured workers or no proper employment (3) No criminal background check policy for employees entering your home (4) Unwilling to provide a detailed cleaning checklist of what is included

(1) Do you carry liability insurance, and what does it cover? (2) Are your employees bonded and background-checked? (3) What cleaning products do you use, and do you offer eco-friendly options? (4) What exactly is included in your standard vs. deep cleaning service? (5) What is your cancellation policy and satisfaction guarantee?

While not legally required, it is strongly recommended that cleaning services carry liability insurance. Ask for proof of coverage before hiring.

Typical rates for cleaning services in Ontario range from $30-$55/hour per cleaner. Home size and number of rooms, type of cleaning (standard, deep, move-in/out, post-construction), frequency (one-time vs. recurring with discounts), current condition of the home, number of bathrooms, whether you have pets, and location within Ontario. Toronto rates are at the higher end. Recurring service (weekly or bi-weekly) typically costs 10-20% less per visit than one-time cleaning.