What to tell a cleaner before you book
Say whether you want a one-time clean, a move-in or move-out, or a repeat visit. List the rooms, the number of bathrooms, and anything that takes longer than a standard wipe-down: ovens, inside the fridge, baseboards, or laundry.
Mention pets, parking, and how the Provider gets in. A locked building with no code, or a home with a dog that needs to be crated, changes the visit. Write that in the request so the time you pick is realistic.
Supplies, scope, and a walkthrough
Agree on supplies before the day. Some Providers bring their own products. Others expect yours, especially if someone in the home is sensitive to fragrance. If a product should not be used, say so.
Walk the rooms at the start if you are home, or leave a short note if you are not. A cleaner can only finish what was in the request. Adding the garage, the patio, or interior windows on arrival is a different job.
What cleaning Providers should publish
State the homes you take, the supplies you bring, and the jobs you do not do. Move-out cleans and recurring maintenance cleans are different listings if the time and price are different.
Maryland summers are humid, and mildew in bathrooms is a common reason people book a deeper clean. If you treat mildew, say which rooms that covers. If you do not, say that too.