So, you’ve decided to hire a house cleaning service instead of doing it yourself. Congratulations, you can finally let go of the stress associated with a messy home. With that said, one of the most common dilemmas that people have about house cleaners is whether to hire a professional house cleaner or an independent housekeeper.
Finding the house cleaning service that best fits your needs is a big decision. Some people choose to hire a professional house cleaner while some prefer to hire an independent cleaner. Each option has its fair share of pros and cons.
Which one is right for you? Ask yourself the following questions.
If you want a detailed cleaning every time, a professional house cleaner is your best bet. That’s not saying that an independent cleaner is not capable of providing a detailed job. Many independent house cleaners build up a client base by providing high-quality service.
However, you may also run into so-called house cleaners that render mediocre service for a quick payday.
On the other hand, a professional house cleaner company trains all its employees on how to best clean your house. Plus, a house cleaning company ensures that they meet the high standards that are set for them. With a professional house cleaner, you’re consistently receiving a personalized cleanup job.
Let’s say you have an upcoming event and you need your house cleaned. However, you find out that your independent contractor is not available to come on your preferred date. This could be due to reasons like she’s booked for that day or she’s sick. Regardless of the reason, you’re left high and dry and will be forced to hire someone else – someone you don’t know.
In comparison, you won’t have this type of problem with a professional house cleaner service. The professionals have multiple people in their team which means that you can rely on them whenever the need arises.
If you’re going to hire an independent cleaner, you may run into some trouble with the IRS. When determined that you’re the cleaner’s employer, the IRS will ask you to withhold taxes from their pay that you’ll in turn pay to the government. (Refer to the Household Employer’s Tax Guide)
Almost always, an independent cleaner will charge less compared to a professional house cleaner. However, you have to ask yourself: Is it worth the tax headaches for a few dollars of savings? With cleaning companies, they pay their employees’ taxes, not you.
So, who’s paying if cleaning mishaps occur resulting in broken property or someone getting hurt? Well, you probably don’t want it to be you. If an independent cleaner gets injured, it’s your liability because no company provides her with liability insurance and worker’s compensation.
Most professional house cleaner companies are bonded and insured. This means that you’re not financially responsible if someone gets injured or something gets broken. A good professional house cleaner also perform background checks on all of their employees. Can you say the same with the “cleaning lady” that comes to your house each week?
Whether you hire a professional house cleaner or an individual, there’s really no wrong decision. However, you have to ask what’s important to you when it comes to house cleaning. If the price is the most important criteria for you, then by all means, go for an independent cleaner. However, if you value things like customized care, safety, availability, and trustworthiness, you’re better off with a professional house cleaner like phClean.
phClean is the top professional house cleaning company in Ankeny, IA. When you choose phClean, you can rest easy that your home is in capable hands. Put our years of house cleaning experience to the test and request a quote now.