Are you a bargain shopper? Do you like to get the lowest prices for everything? Are you signed up for all group coupon deals? Is there anything you buy that shouldn’t be bought at the lowest price?
Some things are so important to us that we are willing to pay the best we can. When we make purchases that involve our children, our own well-being, and our own privacy, we typically don’t skimp. So what does it mean when you pay the last dollar for a cleaning service (or maid)? And why should you care? They’re just cleaners, right? It is not an exact science” …
Let’s take a look at why compromising on a cleaning service is a bad option.
For this article we are going to look at two types of cleaning businesses: those that operate within the law and those that do not. And, reality check, without doing your homework, you may not know them.
When you hire a cleaning service, you need to check their background, how they operate, who they hire, and how they screen employees. Verifying an online rating site should never be your only tool for evaluating a service.
A well-established business is one that operates within the law and has many processes that protect you and your business. They should be able (and probably would love the opportunity) to share their business history, recruitment and training methods, the products they use, the services they offer, and the insurance they carry. They will give you a good understanding of their methods and how they work. A well-established company works on the basis of common business etiquette and practices.
A “Trunk Slammer” is an independent person who works primarily on his or her own account and generally without the benefit of a proper business structure. They will tell you how long they have been cleaning (years and years) and what a good job they do. When you talk to them about insurance, they will of course say that they have insurance. And they can even promote that they are much cheaper than others and do a better job. Sure, perfectly legal and prosperous independent cleaners exist, but they will operate as an established business and will be able to provide the proper information.
They both sound good at first glance, but take a deeper look. Whenever you are interviewing a potential service to enter your private property and private space, there are a few things you need to do.
1) Request that the insurance company (s) send a certificate of insurance. A service can use more than one insurance company, so be sure to get the names of all of them. You want to see the business liability and workers’ compensation coverages. If it doesn’t, call service and ask for both. If you receive a copy or version that does not have your name and address on it (or that is not directly from the insurance agent), it should be deemed to be inaccurate. (After all, a service could cancel that policy the day after you get your copied version and don’t have any insurance.) This is a nuisance for the services and they can back off but stand their ground. A reputable service will deliver. A disreputable service will not.
It is critical that the company you hire has the proper insurance (and licenses) to do the work on your property. It is also equally crucial that the people they send to your property are properly documented.
2) Ask if I-9 forms have been filed for all employees. The I-9 (and most states have their own version as well) is a federal form that requires two forms of identification to be documented to ensure that the applicant has the legal right to work in the United States. Also, ask if extensive background investigations have been conducted on applicants. Most companies conduct background checks as inexpensively as possible, and they are often very basic. Ask the service if they run drug tests and if they have had any incidents of theft. If so, make sure they tell you how they dealt with the theft. Was there a prosecution? What happened to the employee? You will get a good idea of how honest the service is with these questions. Do not automatically close the conversation if there has been a theft in the service. This happens even with good services. What is crucial is how they handled it.
If you don’t choose to follow these tips and hire a freelance cleaner, here are some of the risks. (These are risks to a business too, but they are more common with “chest hits”).
Why are you at risk? Many housekeepers or “independent” contractors consider themselves your employees based on the control you have over what they do. If a freelance cleaner works in your home using your equipment and following your instructions, that cleaner can be determined as your employee.
If an accident occurs in your home with the housekeeper, depending on where you live, you may have to pay more than just the housekeeper’s medical expenses. Some states even fine you for being an employer and not paying for workers’ compensation insurance. And, usually, those are hefty fines. Are you ready for that? And don’t fall into the trap of thinking your home insurance will cover you – it won’t.
If there is theft or damage to your home, you may find out too late that there is no coverage or recourse (and always, ALWAYS report the theft to local law enforcement). The bond will only pay in the case of a prosecuted crime (found guilty). Anything less and you will be alone. Now, is it worth the discount you received? Or that minimum price in dollars?
You may be at even greater risk if the contractor in your home is unscrupulous and knows that you don’t know the law. You are at a disadvantage!
So remember, if the price is minimal or “too good to be true”, it is most likely not true or good for you. If you hire a freelance cleaner for $ 10-12 per hour, there is a VERY good chance that taxes will not be paid and insurance will not be purchased. These things cost reputable companies and that is why they charge more. Do not fall for bargain shopping in this case, it is not worth it.