Are you considering hiring an independent cleaning person? Do you know the risk you take hiring an independent cleaner? Let’s take a look at the risk of not hiring a cleaning company.
According to an article at mrscleanusa.com, “What You Need to Know Before Hiring an Independent Cleaner”
“There is no way of Knowing who or what you’ll get when you Call.
Lower-end cleaning companies that send you a housekeeper (subcontractors) have risks. The individuals hired as a subcontractors are independent and are considered a vendor of the company you hire. They have not been trained by the company, (the IRS has very stringent rules on this) and are not covered by Labor and Industries workers compensation insurance.
You Might be Liable if the House Cleaner gets Hurt
An individual who is hired under the table is a serious risk if they are hurt or disabled on your property. Since they are not covered under Labor and Industries, there is the real possibility that they may sue you for lost wages, damages, or for medical costs.
Technically, hiring an individual makes you an employer, which means you can be held liable for injury claims, worker’s compensation insurance and unemployment insurance. It’s important to review your home liability insurance to make sure it covers service people in case of injury, and notify your insurer of the relationship.
You Could be Liable for State and Federal Employment Taxes
If you hire an individual and they do not pay employment taxes, YOU as the legal employer can be held liable for the taxes due to the IRS. Hiring a company that pays all employment taxes and carries Labor and Industries insurance coverage protects you.
You Might not be Compensated if something is Damaged
Unfortunately, many ‘cleaning companies’, and I’d guess 100% of individuals for hire, do NOT carry liability insurance. If your belongings are damaged, (and accidents do happen on occasion) you will have no easy compensation recourse.
You Might not be Compensated if Something Valuable Goes Missing
Employee honesty bonding insurance is sadly lacking in our industry. A bond is insurance that protects the client and compensates them if an employee is guilty of theft.” To read the entire article click here.
For exceptional residential cleaning service in the Reno and Sparks area contact White Lotus at 775-525-8100 or visit WhiteLotusReno.com.
