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Independent cleaner or cleaning company: how to choose
Quick answer: Either can be the right choice. An independent cleaner gives you one person and a direct relationship; a company, agency or platform adds systems around the clean: booking, payment, matching, cover when a cleaner is away and a process for problems. Compare the specific business, not the label, using the same questions.
The labels overlap: many cleaning companies use independent contractors, and platforms differ in how much they manage. Here is what actually changes.
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Side by side
The differences that matter day to day. Each business sets its own terms, so treat this as a list of questions to check, not a ranking.
| What changes | Independent cleaner | Cleaning company or agency | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Agreed with the cleaner; can be flexible | Usually a set checklist per service | Usually a set checklist per service |
| Products and equipment | Varies: some bring everything, some use yours | Usually supplied | Varies by platform; ask |
| Communication | Direct with the cleaner | Through the office, sometimes the cleaner | Through the app or support team, sometimes the cleaner |
| Payment | Direct, often by transfer or cash | To the business, usually by card or invoice | Through the platform, usually by card |
| Matching | You choose the person | The business assigns a cleaner | Cleaners accept jobs; some platforms let you request one |
| Cancellations | Whatever you agree | Set notice periods and fees | Set notice periods and fees |
| If the cleaner is away | You rebook with them | Another cleaner may be sent | Varies: some find another cleaner, some leave it to you |
| If something goes wrong | You raise it with the cleaner | A complaints or re-clean process | A process, if the platform has one |
None of these is guaranteed by the label alone. A small business can have excellent cover; a large one can still run short on a busy day. Sources are listed at the end of this guide. Checked 5 October 2026.
Hiring an independent cleaner
You deal with one person, agree the scope together and usually pay them directly. It works best when you find someone reliable through a recommendation and agree things in writing.
What tends to work well: continuity (the same person each visit), flexibility about what gets done, and a direct line when something needs changing.
What to check:
- Insurance. Many independent cleaners hold public liability insurance. Ask to see it, and ask whether it covers damage in your home.
- Cover when they are away. If they are sick or on holiday, the clean usually just moves. Ask how they handle it.
- Scope in writing. Agree a checklist, including what isn't done.
- Employment status. Most independent cleaners run their own business with an ABN. Whether someone you engage is legally an employee or a contractor depends on the working relationship, and Fair Work explains the tests (Fair Work).
Hiring a cleaning company or agency
The business handles booking, rostering and payment, and usually has a set checklist and a process for complaints. You may see different cleaners, depending on how it rosters.
Some companies employ their cleaners; many engage independent contractors; agencies introduce cleaners and may take a fee. None of these is automatically better. Ask:
- Who will clean, and whether you can request the same person.
- Whose insurance covers your home.
- What happens if your cleaner is away: will they offer someone else, or move the clean?
- How missed tasks are fixed, and by when you need to report them.
Platforms: what they do and don't manage
A platform connects you with cleaners who choose the jobs they take. Some set the price, checklist and cover, and handle problems; others mainly introduce you and leave the rest to you and the cleaner.
Marketplaces where cleaners bid or set their own rates work differently from platforms with fixed prices and a set checklist. Before booking, check who sets the price and scope, whether cover applies to every booking, and who you contact if something goes wrong.
Which arrangement might suit you?
It comes down to what you want to manage yourself: coordination, continuity, flexibility and who is accountable when something goes wrong.
- You want one familiar person and are happy to organise it: an independent cleaner, found through a recommendation, with the scope agreed in writing.
- You want someone else to handle booking, payment and cover when a cleaner is away: a company, agency or platform that does those things. Check that it actually does.
- You want a fixed price and a set checklist before you book: a company or a platform with fixed pricing.
- Your needs change often (extra rooms, odd jobs): an independent cleaner can be more flexible; a set-checklist service is more predictable.
Whichever you lean towards, ask the same questions: the hiring checklist covers them.
How Simply Maid works
Simply Maid is a platform. Our cleaners are independent contractors who choose the jobs they accept; we set the price and checklist, run booking and payment, attach Care & Cover to every booking and run the re-clean process.
- Who cleans: independent, ID-checked cleaners who have passed a skills assessment through the Simply Maid Academy. Each has an ABN and public liability cover of at least $5 million, through their own policy or our cleaner insurance program (terms).
- Price and scope: a fixed price for your home before you book, the same in all seven cities, and a set checklist for each service.
- Products and equipment: the cleaner brings them, including a vacuum and mop.
- Matching: jobs are offered to nearby cleaners who are available; on a regular plan, we roster your cleaner where we can. 73% of repeat plan visits had a cleaner from the previous visit (44 visits, March to October 2026).
- If your cleaner can't come: we look for another available cleaner, or contact you to reschedule. We can't promise a replacement every time.
- Payment: a hold about two days before the visit, and the charge after the clean.
- Cover: Care & Cover on every booking, including public liability insurance underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia.
- If something is missed: report it within 48 hours and the team arranges a complimentary re-clean of those areas within seven business days (Happiness Guarantee).
- Cancelling: free with 24 hours' notice; inside 24 hours a $70 fee may apply (terms).
Questions to ask, whichever you choose
The same questions work for a person, a company or a platform.
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Before you book
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Questions people ask
Are independent cleaners insured?
Many are, but not all. Ask to see their public liability policy and check it covers work in clients' homes.
Is a cleaning company safer than an independent cleaner?
Not automatically. What matters is what's checked, who is insured and how problems are handled, and that varies within both.
Do cleaning companies always send a replacement?
No. Some offer another cleaner if yours is away, some move the clean. Ask before you book.
Do I have employer obligations if I hire a cleaner directly?
It depends on the working relationship. Most independent cleaners run their own business, but Fair Work explains when someone is legally an employee instead.
Are Simply Maid cleaners employees?
No. They are independent contractors who use the Simply Maid platform, choose the jobs they accept and have an ABN. Each carries public liability cover through their own policy or our cleaner insurance program, and every booking also includes Care & Cover.
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Sources
The policies and guidance behind this comparison, with the date we read each one.
- Terms of service, Simply Maid. Read 5 October 2026. §2 and §17 (independent contractors, vetting), §5 (payment), §6 (re-clean), §7 (cancellation), §8 (access and lockout), §10 (Care & Cover), §11 (pets), §12 (exclusions). Published 29 Sep 2026.
- Care & Cover, Simply Maid. Read 5 October 2026. Public liability cover on every booking, underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia.
- Happiness Guarantee, Simply Maid. Read 5 October 2026. Report within 48 hours; complimentary re-clean of the areas raised, completed within seven business days.
- Can I have the same cleaner each time?, Simply Maid help centre. Read 5 October 2026.
- Where can I find the insurance and cover details?, Simply Maid help centre. Read 5 October 2026.
- Independent contractors, Fair Work Ombudsman. Read 5 October 2026. Contractors and employees have different rights and obligations; the test that decides which applies changed on 26 August 2024.
Policies quoted from Simply Maid's published terms and help centre on the date shown.