Hiring a Cleaning Company vs. an Individual House Cleaner

Hiring professional help to clean your house can save you time and energy (and maybe even a little sanity), but how do you know who to hire? Learn the difference between a cleaning company and an individual cleaner, the benefits and drawbacks of each, and how to choose the right cleaner for you and your home so you no longer have to fear unannounced visitors!

Cleaning Company vs. Individual House Cleaner: Key Differences

Professional house cleaners usually work independently or for a company. A cleaning company employs multiple cleaners and can send one or more cleaners to your home, depending on the job. An individual house cleaner works for themself and performs cleaning jobs alone.

With a cleaning company, there are usually office staff members who coordinate scheduling, payment, and other customer communication. An independent cleaner handles all aspects of the business and is your only point of contact, so you’ll be communicating directly with the person who cleans your home.

What Is a Cleaning Company?

Cleaning companies employ a team of professionals who clean residential and commercial properties, offering services like mopping, dusting, and deep cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Some companies charge per service or offer an hourly cleaning service. The company may send a few cleaners at once to get the job done faster.

Best for:

• People who need an uninterrupted service schedule

• Those who don’t need to know their cleaners personally

• Homeowners who prefer dealing with office staff, rather than with the cleaner directly

Pros and Cons of Cleaning Companies 

Hiring a local cleaning company might be ideal for you, but it’s not the best option for everyone.

Pros

• Standard procedures and training: Cleaning companies often have well-defined procedures and processes. They also train their employees to be thorough and consistent.

• Quick: Because cleaning companies often send more than one person, they'll be in and out of your home faster than an individual.

• Reliable: If a cleaner is sick or on vacation, a commercial cleaning company usually fills in the spot with a replacement.

• Liability and insurance coverage: A house cleaning company should be licensed and have liability insurance and a bond to cover any theft or damage. If a cleaner gets hurt in your home, the medical bills are usually paid by the company. Verify this before hiring any house cleaner for your home.

• Vetted staff: You won’t need to interview any house cleaners, as the company puts employees through a formal process.

Cons

• Lack of personal touch: Some companies send a different house cleaner to your home every time, so the cleaner may not be as engaged with you or your home. Some homeowners have found that companies are “tougher” on their home than individual cleaners, who are more gentle and conscientious.

• Not as flexible: A company might not offer extra add-ons or be able to change the time of your cleaning, as they have a larger operation and schedule at hand.

• More expensive: Due to more overhead costs, cleaning companies tend to be more expensive than individual cleaners, so you may find it more difficult to budget for a house cleaner.

What Is an Individual House Cleaner?

Some individual house cleaners run their own business, while others operate without a formal business structure. Independent house cleaners offer the same services as commercial cleaning companies but tend to be less expensive. Individual cleaners also offer flexibility and personalized services, but be aware of tax and insurance liabilities.

Best for:

• Homeowners who prefer to get to know their cleaner

• Those who need more flexibility with scheduling and add-on services

• Budget-conscious homeowners

Pros and Cons of Individual House Cleaners

Independent cleaners offer a personal touch, but that may come with scheduling conflicts.

Pros

• Less expensive: Individual house cleaners are almost always less expensive than cleaning companies because they don’t have as many overhead expenses.

• Flexible: They might be open to scheduling their cleaning at a different time or adding on services like cleaning out your fridge.

• Invested in you: Most individual cleaners take pride in their services and want to do a good job. They get to know your home and your preferences, which can lead to a better experience.

Cons

• Lack of coverage: If your housecleaner takes a vacation or gets sick, they usually don't have someone to fill their shoes.

• Tax payments: Depending on how often you have the housekeeper come, the number of other houses they clean, and how much you pay them annually, they could be considered your employee instead of an independent contractor. Be sure to follow IRS guidelines about domestic help to ensure your taxes are in order.

• Liabilities: An individual house cleaner might not be bonded and insured. If something breaks, they might not be on the hook to pay for it unless it’s in your agreement. And if they get injured while at your home, you may have to pay the medical bills. Make sure insurance and liability information is one of the questions you ask when hiring a cleaner.

Cleaning Company vs. Individual House Cleaner

Decide whether a cleaning company near you or an individual house cleaner is best by comparing cost and other important factors.

Final Cleanliness: Tie

In most cases, both a cleaning company and an individual house cleaner do a thorough job. Individual housekeepers are invested in gaining repeat business, while cleaning companies have more standard procedures and training.

Options and Customizations​​: Independent Cleaner

Cleaning companies offer services and add-ons, but they usually need to be ordered in advance. Extra services might not always be available, either, due to bookings with other clients.

Individual cleaners can usually customize your cleaning and provide add-on services more quickly, as they're in full control of their schedule. They might fold laundry, take out the trash, or clean a requested area like your carpet or window treatments.

Price​: Independent Cleaner

Most individual house cleaners charge between $25 and $50 an hour, while a cleaning service might cost up to $90 an hour.

The cost of cleaning services varies widely based on your location, the size and condition of your home, and what services you want. Weekly cleanings usually cost anywhere from $75 to $250, while one-time cleanings usually are in the $100 to $400 range.

Ease of Working Together: Tie

Cleaning companies may offer online scheduling and auto-notifications when they’re on their way or leave your home. Individual contractors usually don't have as many standard systems in place. You can often communicate with an individual housekeeper via text or phone call.

Some homeowners enjoy being able to talk directly with their house cleaner, while others appreciate the professionalism and consistency of a company.

Consistency: Individual Cleaner

While a cleaning company has standard procedures and processes, you might have a different person come to your house each time. One company employee might have a different approach or focus area than another. An independent cleaner comes each time, though, so you can rely on exactly how they clean your place.

Less Risk: Cleaning Company

Independent house cleaners aren’t often bonded and insured. If something breaks when they’re in your home, they likely won’t cover the cost. If they get hurt while in your home, you may be on the hook to pay their medical bills. Cleaning companies are almost always bonded and insured, so you don’t have these risks when cleaners are in your home.

No matter which you decide on, make sure to discuss important liability and insurance details before hiring a house cleaner.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Hiring a professional cleaner is one option, but you can also DIY many cleaning tasks. If you choose the DIY route, one of the most obvious benefits is the cost savings. Cleaning requires little monetary investment besides a few essential cleaning agents and supplies, which you may already have on hand. Hiring a professional house cleaner costs anywhere from $25 to $80 per hour or an average of $175 per visit. 

While there is a much higher cost with hiring a professional cleaner versus a DIY solution, you may decide the time savings and quality of the clean are worth the additional cost to you.