How to Choose a Cleaning Company in Switzerland: 7 Things to Verify Before You Book
How to vet a cleaning company in Switzerland: insurance, Abnahmegarantie, declared labour, red flags to avoid, real price ranges, and questions to ask first.
Switzerland has thousands of cleaning companies, from one-person operations to large service providers, and the gap between a good pick and a bad one shows up fast: wasted money, a failed apartment handover inspection, or property damage with no one to hold accountable. The right company gets you a clean home, a passed inspection, and a provider you can call again next year without starting your search from scratch. This guide covers what to check, what to ask, and what to avoid when hiring a cleaning company in Switzerland.
Types of cleaning services in Switzerland
Not every cleaning company offers every service. Before comparing providers, work out which category your need falls into:
<<<<<<< HEAD
| Service type | What it covers | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Regular cleaning (Unterhaltsreinigung) | Weekly or bi-weekly household cleaning | Ongoing home maintenance |
| ======= | ||
| Service Type | What It Covers | When You Need It |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| Regular cleaning (Unterhaltsreinigung) | Weekly or bi-weekly household cleaning | Ongoing home maintenance |
6ae4ddb (refactor: code formatting) | End-of-tenancy cleaning (Endreinigung/Abnahmereinigung) | Deep clean on move-out, covering all surfaces and appliances | Moving out of a rental property | | Spring cleaning (Frühjahrsputz) | One-time thorough clean of the entire home | Seasonal reset | | Office and commercial cleaning | Regular or one-time cleaning of business premises | Business environments | | Window cleaning (Fensterreinigung) | Interior and exterior glass and frames | As needed, often seasonal | | Post-construction cleaning | Dust, debris, and material residue after renovation | After building work | | Carpet and upholstery cleaning | Steam or dry cleaning of carpets and soft furnishings | Stains, move-out, seasonal |
Confirm that the company you're considering specialises in the exact service you need. End-of-tenancy cleaning in particular calls for different equipment and technique than a regular household clean.
7 things to check before hiring a cleaning company
1. Business registration and legitimacy
A legitimate Swiss cleaning company is registered in the Handelsregister (commercial register); for larger contracts, you can verify this yourself at zefix.ch. Unregistered operators working cash-in-hand cannot issue a proper invoice, carry no accountability, and fall outside Swiss employment law, which means you could be liable if one of their workers is injured on your property.
2. Liability insurance
Ask directly: does the company carry liability insurance (Betriebshaftpflichtversicherung) that covers damage caused during cleaning? A professional company answers yes immediately and can provide proof. This insurance covers broken items, water damage from cleaning, and any property damage caused by the cleaning team. Without it, you have no recourse if a cleaner cracks your worktop or damages your parquet floor.
3. Employee contracts (no undeclared labour)
Switzerland takes undeclared labour (Schwarzarbeit) seriously. Cleaning companies that employ undeclared workers expose you, as the client, to potential liability. Ask whether the company pays into Swiss social security (AHV/IV/EO/ALV) for all its employees. Professional companies are transparent about this.
4. Handover guarantee for end-of-tenancy cleaning
If you're booking end-of-tenancy cleaning specifically, this is non-negotiable: the company must offer a written Abnahmegarantie (handover guarantee). This means if the landlord's inspector flags deficiencies, the company returns and re-cleans at no extra cost.
Companies that don't offer this guarantee are either betting you won't notice the omission, or aren't confident enough in their own work to stand behind it. Skip them for a move-out clean.
5. Verified customer reviews
Look for reviews that mention:
- Specific service type (end-of-tenancy, regular cleaning, etc.)
- Whether the deposit was returned in full (for move-out cleans)
- How the company handled problems or complaints
- Promptness and reliability
Review platforms relevant in Switzerland: Google Reviews, local cantonal directories, and platform-specific feedback if booked through a comparison service.
6. Itemised quotation
A professional company provides a written, itemised quote that specifies:
- Which rooms and areas are covered
- Which appliances are cleaned (oven, extractor, fridge, etc.)
- Whether window cleaning is included
- Whether carpet cleaning is included
- Whether the handover guarantee is included at this price
- The total price without hidden add-ons
A quote that is a single flat figure with no breakdown is a warning sign.
7. Communication and responsiveness
How a company responds to your initial inquiry tells you how it will respond when there's a problem. A company that is slow to reply, vague about terms, or unable to answer basic questions about its insurance or guarantee isn't one you want cleaning your home or holding your deposit.
Red flags to avoid
Prices that seem too low Cleaning labour in Switzerland has a minimum wage that varies by canton but is generally CHF 20-24/hour. A company quoting CHF 10/hour per cleaner is either underpaying workers (undeclared labour), cutting the scope of the clean, or planning to add hidden surcharges later.
No written confirmation Any professional engagement should be confirmed in writing: the scope of work, the price, the date, and the guarantee terms. Verbal agreements are unenforceable when disputes arise.
Payment in cash only Professional Swiss cleaning companies invoice and accept bank transfer or card payment. Cash-only operators are often working undeclared and cannot provide a formal invoice.
No inspection before quoting For large or move-out cleans, a reputable company either inspects the property before quoting or asks detailed questions about size, condition, and specific requirements. A company that quotes the same flat rate without asking about your oven's condition or the presence of mould in the bathroom isn't pricing your job. It's guessing.
Pressure to sign immediately A professional service has no need to pressure you. If someone insists you book today or the price doubles tomorrow, that's a sales tactic, not a service commitment.
Cleaning costs in Switzerland: what to expect
Regular cleaning (weekly or bi-weekly)
<<<<<<< HEAD
| Apartment size | Typical hourly rate | Typical session duration |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-room | CHF 22-35/hour | 1.5-2 hours |
| 2-room apartment | CHF 22-35/hour | 2-3 hours |
| 3-room apartment | CHF 22-35/hour | 3-4 hours |
| 4-room apartment | CHF 22-35/hour | 4-5 hours |
| ======= |
Regular Cleaning (Weekly or Bi-Weekly)
| Apartment Size | Typical Hourly Rate | Typical Session Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-room | CHF 22 – CHF 35/hour | 1.5 – 2 hours |
| 2-room apartment | CHF 22 – CHF 35/hour | 2 – 3 hours |
| 3-room apartment | CHF 22 – CHF 35/hour | 3 – 4 hours |
| 4-room apartment | CHF 22 – CHF 35/hour | 4 – 5 hours |
6ae4ddb (refactor: code formatting)
Some companies offer flat-rate sessions by apartment size instead of an hourly rate. Either model works: compare the total session cost, not just the rate per hour.
End-of-tenancy cleaning
<<<<<<< HEAD
| Apartment size | Estimated total cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1-room | CHF 280-480 |
| 2-room apartment | CHF 380-650 |
| 3-room apartment | CHF 480-850 |
| 4-room apartment | CHF 620-1,100 |
| 5-room house | CHF 850-1,600+ |
| ======= | |
| Apartment Size | Estimated Total Cost |
| ---------------- | -------------------- |
| Studio / 1-room | CHF 280 – CHF 480 |
| 2-room apartment | CHF 380 – CHF 650 |
| 3-room apartment | CHF 480 – CHF 850 |
| 4-room apartment | CHF 620 – CHF 1,100 |
| 5-room house | CHF 850 – CHF 1,600+ |
6ae4ddb (refactor: code formatting)
Note: carpet cleaning, exterior window cleaning, and cellar cleaning are often priced separately.
Office cleaning
Commercial cleaning is typically priced on a monthly contract basis. For a 10-person office:
- Regular cleaning (2-3x per week): CHF 400-900/month
- Full sanitisation or deep clean: CHF 300-800 per session
Questions to ask before you book
Use these questions when evaluating any cleaning company:
- Are you registered in the Swiss commercial register?
- Do you carry liability insurance? Can you provide proof?
- Are all your employees declared under Swiss social security?
- For end-of-tenancy cleans: do you offer a written Abnahmegarantie?
- What does your quote include, and what is explicitly excluded?
- How soon can you come back if the handover inspection reveals a problem?
- Do you bring your own cleaning products and equipment?
- What happens if a cleaner breaks something in my home?
- Do you provide a written confirmation before the cleaning appointment?
- Can you share references or reviews from similar jobs in my area?
Any professional provider answers all ten without hesitation.
Frequently asked questions
Should I provide cleaning products or does the company bring them?
Most professional companies bring their own commercial-grade cleaning products and equipment. This is preferable: they know which products cut through Switzerland's limestone-heavy water deposits and which are safe for specific surfaces. Confirm this when booking.
Can I book a cleaning company for a single appointment?
Yes. Most companies take one-off bookings as well as regular contracts. One-off services typically cost slightly more per session than an ongoing monthly arrangement.
What should I do if I'm not happy with the clean?
Contact the company immediately, ideally the same day. A professional service will return to re-clean at no charge when notified promptly. Don't wait days to raise a complaint; it weakens your position.
Is it better to hire a company or an individual cleaner?
Individual cleaners often cost less per hour but carry no insurance and cannot provide a formal invoice. For regular household cleaning with good communication, an individual can work well. For end-of-tenancy cleaning, where a handover guarantee matters, use a registered company.
How do I find cleaning companies in my area in Switzerland?
Local searches, word of mouth, and online comparison platforms are the main routes. On a platform like Ofero, you submit one request and get quotes back from several verified cleaning companies instead of contacting each one yourself.
Find verified cleaning companies through Ofero
Ofero connects Swiss households and businesses with verified cleaning companies for regular upkeep, end-of-tenancy cleans backed by a handover guarantee, and office cleaning contracts.
Fill in one request and Ofero routes it to licensed, reviewed providers in your area, who send their quotes straight back to you. From there, compare prices and coverage, run through the questions above, and book once you're satisfied with the answers.