# Hiring a Commercial Cleaning Company in Ontario: What to Check

What an Ontario business should check before a cleaner gets keys: WSIB clearance, liability insurance, a written scope, alarm codes and supplies.

Canonical: https://kleins.pages.dev/guides/hiring-a-commercial-cleaner/
Updated: 2026-09-26
Publisher: Klein's Cleaning and Maintenance

Before hiring a commercial cleaner in Ontario, check five things: whether the company is registered with the WSIB and can give you a clearance, what liability insurance it carries, a written scope listing each task and how often, how keys, fobs and alarm codes will be handled, and who supplies consumables. A WSIB clearance confirms a business is registered and up to date with its premiums; it is valid for up to 90 days, so ask for a current one. Ask Klein's, in Waterdown, all five before you hire.

By Klein's Cleaning and Maintenance, Waterdown, Ontario. Last updated September 26, 2026.

## What is a WSIB clearance, and why ask for one?

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board describes a clearance as "a unique number issued by the WSIB to registered businesses, which shows that a business, contractor or subcontractor is registered and up-to-date with us, including keeping current with premium payment and reporting." The WSIB says a clearance number is [valid for up to 90 days](https://www.wsib.ca/en/businesses/premiums-and-payment/clearances), and it offers a quick-access lookup with no log-in. Its [clearance certificate policy](https://www.wsib.ca/en/operational-policy-manual/clearance-certificate) explains the purpose: relieving the business that hires a contractor of liability for premiums the contractor owes.

One nuance the WSIB states itself: independent operators with no employees, outside construction, might not be obligated to register, and so might not be eligible for a clearance. If a cleaner says that applies to them, ask how they are covered instead.

## The checklist

What to check before a cleaner starts CheckWhat to ask forWhy it matters WSIBA current clearance, or an explanation of why one does not applyPremium liability, and proof the company is operating properly InsuranceA certificate of commercial general liability insurance; your landlord may specify an amountDamage to the building or its contents ScopeA written list of tasks by area and frequencyThe only way to check the work, and to compare quotes fairly AccessWho holds keys and codes, and what happens at lock-upSecurity of the building after hours PeopleWho will actually be in the building, and whether it is the same people each timeConsistency and accountability SuppliesWho supplies paper, soap, liners and cleaning productsHidden cost, and control over products used ProblemsHow you report something missed, and how quickly it is fixedWhat the relationship is like when something goes wrong

## Why does a written scope matter so much?

Two quotes for "office cleaning" can describe completely different jobs. One includes washrooms every visit and baseboards monthly; the other empties bins and vacuums. A scope that lists tasks by area and frequency is the only fair way to compare them, and the only way to check the work afterwards. The [office cleaning checklist](https://kleins.pages.dev/guides/office-cleaning-checklist/) is a starting point for writing one.

## Should cleaning include disinfecting?

For washrooms and high-touch surfaces, often yes, but cleaning has to come first. Ask what product is used and whether it has a Health Canada DIN or biocide number. [Cleaning vs disinfecting](https://kleins.pages.dev/guides/cleaning-vs-disinfecting/) explains why.

## How Klein's answers these questions

Ask us every question on this page before you hire us. A written scope and a walk-through are part of how Klein's quotes [office cleaning](https://kleins.pages.dev/commercial/office-cleaning/) and [janitorial routines](https://kleins.pages.dev/commercial/janitorial-services/), and we will answer the insurance and WSIB questions directly when you [request a quote](https://kleins.pages.dev/commercial/quote/).

### Ask before handing over keys

- Current WSIB clearance
- Liability insurance certificate
- Written scope by task and frequency
- Keys, fobs and alarm procedure
- Who supplies consumables

## More guides

- [How much does house cleaning cost in Hamilton and Halton?](https://kleins.pages.dev/guides/house-cleaning-cost-hamilton-halton/) How local companies price by the hour, by the room and by the package, with three published examples.
- [Deep cleaning vs regular cleaning](https://kleins.pages.dev/guides/deep-cleaning-vs-regular-cleaning/) What each visit covers, room by room, and when a home needs the deep one.
- [What a tenant has to clean when moving out in Ontario](https://kleins.pages.dev/guides/move-out-cleaning-ontario/) What the Residential Tenancies Act actually says, and a checklist that meets it.

[All cleaning guides](https://kleins.pages.dev/guides/)