BidMyCleaning Banter – Posts from your online marketplace for cleaning services

House Cleaning 101: Licensed, Insured & Bonded

Posted by Candice on October 12, 2009 at 14:51 pm

House Cleaning 101

In these recessionary times we all want to find the best deal for everything and house cleaning services are no different. In the cleaning industry there are many informal house cleaners who are able to charge quite low prices for their services but are there risks involved in choosing a person who may not have appropriate legal status. Does it matter if you choose an independent one-man-show or small business operator or should you go with one of the large privately held companies or franchised service providers? What does it mean if a cleaning service provider is insured and bonded and is this something you should you require.

Hiring an independent maid can expose you to risk in the event that she is injured while working in your home. If you choose this route there are some precautions you can take. Don’t ask your maid to lift heavy things, don’t ask her to handle hazardous chemicals or clean areas affected by mold. Be sure not to let her climb ladders or engage in activities which may increase the risk of slipping or falling. Even if your maid only works for a few hours a week as long as you determine her job duties and supply her with the equipment and products she uses to clean your home she is considered an employee of your household and there are legal implications of that. You will need to have workers compensation insurance and it is important to note that you cannot rely on your homeowners insurance to protect you because it does not cover circumstances like these.

If you want to avoid this risk but don’t want to pay the typically higher prices charged by the large franchised service providers then choose a small cleaning provider that is licensed, insured & bonded. These service providers are responsible for providing workers compensation insurance for their employees that cover them even while they are working in your home. They also provide the equipment and products that their cleaners use.

It can be tempting to save $10 or $20 by hiring a maid recommended by your neighbor or friend who can be considered an informal worker but make sure you check their credentials and references and be sure that they have connections in your community. At Bidmycleaning.com we list a range of providers from independent to larger licensed, insured and bonded providers. We do however to complete background and criminal checks on every provider we work with. We also check references and make sure they are recognized by customers for their quality of service. Visiting our online marketplace is the easiest way to find a reliable provider.