House cleaning service · Fox Lake, IL · reviewed since 2016
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%86+46.9Reliability 24%78+18.9Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%69+4.9Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 85Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.85SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#14 of 30 basement cleaning servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 55%
4.9★★★★★247 Google reviews · 24 photos
92%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
4.2%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
77%reviews answered by the owner
$287typical billiMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
Google reviewers rate Above The Mess 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 247 reviews, highlighting professional conduct, punctuality, and thorough deep cleaning services. Customers frequently praise the company's responsive communication, reasonable pricing, and ability to handle specific requests like pet hair or move-out preparation. However, a recurring criticism in lower-rated reviews involves unexpected costs exceeding initial quotes and confusion regarding service exclusions, with some clients noting inconsistent crew assignments affecting long-term satisfaction.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 247 reviews (92% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 247 Google reviews (228 with written comments, 3 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 77% of reviews.
Most recent review: August 12, 2026.
Service: Basement Cleaning Service serving Fox Lake, Illinois.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Score profile vs other basement cleaning services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.
Above The Mess CleaningBasement Cleaning Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Above The Mess Cleaning: 86/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.A
86
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Above The Mess Cleaning: 78/100 on this factor. Category median: 81.B
78
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Above The Mess Cleaning: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 90.A
99
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Above The Mess Cleaning: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Above The Mess Cleaning: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Above The Mess Cleaning: 69/100 on this factor. Category median: 94.B
69
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
247 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars22892%
4 stars104%
3 stars42%
2 stars21%
1 star31%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 228 written reviews
97%praise
Praise41097%
Complaints123%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price1037%
Reasonable1659%
Overpriced00%
Not sure14%
$287+8% vs typical basement cleaning services
Middle half of what 20 customers paid ($214–$459) · gold mark = category median.
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Quality & results11327%
Staff & attitude10425%
Speed & response7017%
Would recommend6014%
Communication358%
Price & value276%
Honesty & trust133%
What customers talk about
We read 228 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Their crew did an amazing job and they were very communicative with what I needed completed.”
“The whole experience with Above The Mess was very professional from beginning to end.”
“I would recommend looking elsewhere for a cleaning company unless you want to pay for bad service and deal with an unprofessional owner.”
“They did a very good job and were in and out in a timely manner.”
“Kortnee was willing to work with me to change my original appt bc we had some delays come up with our contractors.”
“If you are looking for a cleaning service I would highly recommend Above the Mess.”
“I cannot recommend them enough for their attention to detail and professionalism while in my home!”
“Communication was great, pricing was reasonable especially given the included services, they were able to schedule very fast for me and ultimately did…”
“I haven't even mentioned the fact that their pricing is very reasonable.”
“e "forgot" about the $50 down payment we had paid was would have EVEN OVER CHARGED US MORE except i stated the price she was quoting already had a $50…”
“I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable, trustworthy, and hardworking cleaning service.”
People customers mention
Kortnee6 reviews
Emily4 reviews
Katie4 reviews
Tyler4 reviews
Beth4 reviews
Ashley4 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Above The Mess Cleaning for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Donna8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
The whole experience with Above The Mess was very professional from beginning to end. Their crew did an amazing job and they were very communicative with what I needed completed. Can’t wait to have them clean again. They did a very good job and were in and out in a timely manner. I would definitely use them again and now have them set up to clean monthly.
Paid $200–250Reasonable price
JessicaLocal Guide · 22 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
The crew did a great job cleaning our house yesterday. They were efficient, communicated well, and were very nice.
Sheryl1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
I moved into a different home. The staff was very efficient. Emily was the lead cleaner. She talked to me and listened to my concerns. I asked Emily to let me know if she or her staff (Jade and Hope) noticed anything that I should be aware of, to please let me know.
They found three possible issues. Emily gave me…
Carolyn2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★
Great working with Katie, Barbara and Emerson. Very responsive to my needs and they did a great job.
Paid $150–200Reasonable priceStandard cleaning
Jake8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
The team did an excellent job cleaning up our brand new home. We wanted to move in with a feeling that everything was clean and we were not disappointed with the service, communication, or price. Highly recommend!
Paid $200–250Great priceStandard cleaning
Michelle5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
We hired them for a move-out clean and they did an amazing job. The house looked spotless and ready for the next owners, everything from floors to bathrooms was done thoroughly and with attention to detail. They were professional, on time, and easy to work with. Highly recommend if you need a reliable cleaning service!
The whole experience with Above The Mess was very professional from beginning to end. Their crew did an amazing job and they were very communicative with what I needed completed. Can’t wait to have them clean again. They did a very good job and were in and out in a timely manner. I would definitely use them again and now have them set up to clean monthly.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Price: $200–250
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you so much Donna!
Adam Amy Neel6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Adam has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The crew did an amazing job!! I have never had a cleaning company do such a good job! They handled my dogs (and all their hair) so well. They asked me about the parts of my house that I care about most, what products I would like used on surfaces, and left me feeling like they cared about my home. When they left I was amazed at what my house looked like. I would highly recommend this company.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Deep clean
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you!
Donna Lewis6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Donna has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Above the Mess did a fantastic job on my move out clean. They were able to schedule me with just a day notice!! The crew arrived on time and got right to work. They were quick and thorough getting everything done in the time estimated. I immediately put Above The Mess contact info in my phone so I can hire them for all my future cleaning needs!
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review
Nicole Young5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nicole has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The Above the Mess team came in and did a fantastic deep clean in a house that was empty and getting ready for sale. Communication was great, pricing was reasonable especially given the included services, they were able to schedule very fast for me and ultimately did a great job. If you are looking for a cleaning service I would highly recommend Above the Mess.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Moving-related cleaning, Deep clean
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you very much for allowing us to service your home for you!
Jessica CulverLocal Guide · 22 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jessica has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I moved into a different home. The staff was very efficient. Emily was the lead cleaner. She talked to me and listened to my concerns. I asked Emily to let me know if she or her staff (Jade and Hope) noticed anything that I should be aware of, to please let me know.
They found three possible issues. Emily gave me suggestions as to how to correct the issues.
They finished in two hours. My new residence was very clean.
Thank you Above the Mess. Job well done.
P.S. I ❤️ loved the paper towels and
I’ve been using Above the Mess for a while now, and they continue to exceed my expectations.
During their most recent visit, an unexpected issue came up when all of my home’s fire alarms suddenly started going off while Above The Mess was servicing my home. Tyler, one of the cleaning crew, immediately called to let me know what was happening and then went above and beyond by thoroughly checking every room in the house for any signs of smoke or fire. He even checked the attic and basement and patiently worked through several troubleshooting ideas with me over the phone.
I offered to have the crew leave so they wouldn’t have to work through the incredibly loud alarms, but Tyler assured me they could continue and finish the job. Despite dealing with constant 120 dB fire alarms, the team remained professional, courteous, and focused. They completed the cleaning and did an outstanding job, just as they always do.
By the time I got home and was able to resolve the alarm issue, they were still there working hard and maintaining a positive attitude throughout the entire situation.
It’s rare to find a company with this level of professionalism, dedication, and customer care. Above the Mess consistently delivers exceptional service, and Tyler and the crew turned what could have been a very stressful situation into a non-issue. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable, trustworthy, and hardworking cleaning service.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Standard cleaning, General housekeeping
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Hi Thomas,
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave such a great review! I am so glad the crew was there to be able to help out!
Jake Mikolas8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jake has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The team did an excellent job cleaning up our brand new home. We wanted to move in with a feeling that everything was clean and we were not disappointed with the service, communication, or price. Highly recommend!
Price assessment: Great price
Price: $200–250
Services: Standard cleaning
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Thank you so much, Jake! Congratulations on your new home :)
