Independent Contractors vs. Regular Employees
Let us begin by defining both terms. An employee is an individual who works part-time or full-time under a contract of employment for a company or brand and has recognized duties and rights. An employee can be held accountable for not preforming to the company’s standard and are obligated to adhere to the Mission statement of the company.
An independent contractor is an individual or worker who lends their services and are paid on a job-by-job basis.
Moreover, an employee is paid a regular salary, may receive specific benefits, have taxes withheld from their wages, and must comply with a pre-established work schedule. Additionally, in many cases, employees are offered other types of securities such as severance, workers’ compensation, and more. These responsibilities are paid for by the company who hires them.
Independent contractors are considered “self-employed,” which means they are responsible to pay their own taxes and supply their own insurance. Independent contractors usually set their own schedules. An independent contractor may refuse work, thus making it difficult for the company to guarantee services and quality.
So, what is the difference between employees and independent contractors? It all boils down to the degree of control. As an Independent Contractor they hold no obligation to the company, the clients, or the Mission statement of the company.
Now let us talk about the reasons why you should hire a cleaning company that does not use subcontractors.
1. Standard of Cleaning – A residential and commercial cleaning service trains each employee to be efficient, knowledgeable, and consistent. It is difficult to set a standard of clean with a subcontractor because the company does not hold responsibility for their training. A cleaning service company can keep detailed notes about how your property will be cleaned, to your preferences. A company who uses subcontractors are disassociated with the client and can not be held to blame for damage or poor quality. Luxurious Cleaning Services cleaning technician are responsible for living up to our name and mission statement.
2. Individuals may have things come up – A cleaning services company will have a number of cleaning technicians so that if one has become ill or has a reason they can not clean your property at the scheduled date and time, another can be sent in their place. With a subcontractor, if they have something come up it would cause a burden to reschedule or the possibility of another subcontractor (not known to you) arrive at your property. With no guarantee that they are knowledgeable on how to professionally clean your property.
3. Responsibility of the Employer – It is the responsibility of the cleaning services company to carry liability insurance, which protects both the client and the company. An Independent contractor will likely not “have this type of insurance. So, if something on your property was damaged, stolen or broken it would likely become a legal battle. With a company this would not happen as the insurance would cover costs of replacement or repair. The company is also responsible for paying taxes, social security, workman’s compensation for its employees. It may fall on the client to cover these costs for a subcontractor. At Luxurious Cleaning Services all of our staff are employees and specially trained to be efficient, knowledgeable, and consistent. Many cleaning service companies will also require background checks and drug screening for peace of mind and protection of their reputation. A subcontractor may not have gone through these steps. We all know the risks associated with that.
4. Customer Support – A locally owned cleaning service company like Luxurious Cleaning Services provide local, accessible, and quality customer support to assist potential and recurring clients with any questions they may have. A subcontractor will likely not be accessible until they are in your home or office.
Reliability of a Professional Cleaning Company vs A Company using Subcontractors
Professional cleaning services are an important part of keeping a home or office sanitary and looking its best. From dusting to mopping, there are many different tasks that need to be completed in order to maintain a clean space. While it may be tempting to subcontract cleaning services, there are several reasons why this is not always the best option. First of all, it can be difficult to find reliable and trustworthy subcontractors. Furthermore, if something goes wrong, it can be much harder to get the issue resolved when you are dealing with a third party. When it comes to keeping your home or office clean, it is best to use the services of a trusted, insured, and trained professional cleaning company who hires and vets their employees.
Risks Associated with using a Company who Subcontracts Cleaning Technicians
When it comes to cleaning services, there are many risks associated with subcontracted cleaning technicians. For one, subcontracted cleaning technicians are not bound by the same employee-employer agreement that regular cleaning staff are. This means that they are not required to adhere to the same cleaning standards and procedures. As a result, there is a greater chance that subcontracted cleaning technicians will cut corners and do a subpar job. Additionally, because they are not employees of the company, subcontracted cleaning technicians are not covered by the company's liability insurance. This means that if they damage property or injure someone while on the job, the company will not be responsible. Subcontracted cleaning technicians usually do not have the same level of training and experience as full-time employees. This can lead to a lower quality of work and increased risk of accidents. When choosing a cleaning service, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of subcontracted cleaning technicians before making a decision.
In closing, not all cleaning services are cut from the same cloth. In every service industry, there are household name brand companies, but just because you recognize the company name does not mean that they are good at what they do. The time old adage “You get what you pay for” is absolute in the cleaning services industry. A small independent (not franchised) company knows very well that it is their reputation and word of mouth that will make or break their business. For that reason, these are usually the best cleaning services you can find. At Luxurious Cleaning Services we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and believe A Clean Home is a Happy Home!
