Why not hire an independent housecleaner? What are the risks? There are many advantages to going through a reputable cleaning company, rather than hiring the "girl next door". Also, remember that all cleaning services are not created equal."? Be sure that the one you hire carries liability insurance (in case of damage) and workers' compensation insurance (in case of injury on the job), or you might as well hire the "girl next door".
Injury
One of our customers told a "horror story" about hiring an independent that claimed she had hurt her back and sued them. The customer had to follow this girl around with a camera to prove that she was capable of all kinds of physical activity that an injured person would not be able to do, before he was able to extricate himself from this liability."? Hiring a properly insured cleaning company to do your housecleaning relieves you of that risk. They will sort out the real from the fraudulent and take care of it.
Property Damage
A reputable company will assume liability for the damage of anything that should have been able to withstand normal cleaning, whether or not it ends up being an insurance claim. You couldn't bear to ask the independent housekeeper to cough up $175 for the broken figurine that you got on your wedding day.
Legal Status
Are you prepared to file an I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) Form for your new hire? If you want to be clear with the IRS, you must. In fact, there are a number of things you must do to comply with Household Employer regulations.
Trust
While there may be no 100% guarantees that the person cleaning your home is honest, the hiring and screening policies of a good company greatly reduces your risk. Background-checks and drug screening are crucial. Work history and references help a great deal as well.
Reliability
When using an independent cleaner, there is a greater chance you will be left "high and dry" just when you were counting on a clean house before a big party, or during the holidays. A company can draw on its entire staff to be sure jobs are covered, making it less likely that you will need to panic.
These are a few of the many advantages of hiring an established, reputable cleaning company to take care of your cleaning needs.
