“Independent cleaner” is often used informally. A person working directly for a household can be self-employed or an employee depending on the actual relationship. Finding them through a marketplace does not settle that question.
Compare the arrangement
| Question | Cleaning company | Direct hire |
|---|---|---|
| Who agrees the work? | A business representative or assigned team | The individual worker or service provider |
| Who attends? | Confirm staffing and whether it may change | Confirm the individual and any substitution arrangement |
| Who brings equipment? | Check the package; inclusion is not universal | Agree products and equipment directly |
| What if someone is unavailable? | Ask whether and how a replacement is offered | Agree cancellation, cover and rescheduling |
| How are issues handled? | Check the company’s reporting process | Establish the process in the agreement |
| What determines the full cost? | Customer tariff, minimums, extras and taxes | Service price or wages, plus applicable extra costs |
Understand the price difference
A company’s tariff may cover administration, staffing arrangements, equipment and other operating expenses. A direct service provider may organise those things differently. You cannot infer quality, legality or value from the gap between two prices alone.
Compare the same tasks and estimated workload first. Then identify the useful services included in each arrangement. A replacement policy has practical value only if you understand when it applies and whether a suitable replacement is available.
Ask about insurance and responsibility
Request a clear explanation of relevant coverage and how a claim would be handled. The words insured, bonded and background-checked describe different things; none should be treated as a blanket guarantee. Confirm the specific coverage or check rather than repeating a marketing label.
Check employment status before payroll assumptions
The CRA distinguishes employees from self-employed domestic workers by the circumstances of the working relationship. If the person is an employee, payroll obligations can apply. Read the CRA’s domestic-worker guidance.
Our tax and payroll guide explains the cost distinction. The calculator provides separate scenarios so that a low advertised rate is not mistaken for a complete employment cost.
Make the choice explicit
Write down your priorities: the same person, flexible tasks, replacement cover, supplied equipment, a predictable invoice or an established issue process. Ask each provider how they meet those needs, then use the quote worksheet to compare the complete offers.