questions to ask cleaner

Tropez

Errata wrote: »

AFAIK only employers can request a CRB check. Cleaners can be self employed, contract their work to whoever, and sort out their own tax, NI contribs etc. I've only ever had cleaners under SE terms, don't want the hassle of being an employer.

With regards to the CRB check, I worded that very poorly. Yes, it is up to the OP to request it.

As for the self-employed thing, from what the OP has written, primarily about the use of her own products, it would appear that this cleaner would be regarded as HMRC as a contracted employee and not a self-employed worker. This cleaner would not be required to buy their own cleaning products, thus would not be contributing to their running costs. Similarly, they would not be paid an agreed fixed price, but rather be paid hourly and will be working a set number of hours, which fails most of HMRCs criteria for self-employment.

pippa80

Hmmm, this is trickier than anticipated! Would it be better to ask her to provide her own equipment/supplies then? I thought private cleaners were usually (always?) self employed!

Tish_P

Thanks for starting this thread pippa! OH and I are planning on hiring a cleaner too so this is useful info. We've found a local family-run cleaning business who I hope will have insurance etc all sorted out, and they are sending someone round tomorrow to discuss our needs with OH.
I am looking forward eagerly to a life free of sticky floors and dusty cat hair clumps!

Tropez

pippa80 wrote: »

Hmmm, this is trickier than anticipated! Would it be better to ask her to provide her own equipment/supplies then? I thought private cleaners were usually (always?) self employed!

Some of them get away with lying to HMRC about what they're doing but HMRC have specific guidelines on the difference between being self-employed and employed (available on their site) and your cleaner would almost certainly be classed as your employee as all of her tasks are set by you, all of her supplies to complete these tasks would be provided by you, she would be unable to make a loss (travelling expenses not included) as she would not be funding her work for you in any way, she would not be working for a fixed sum, but rather paid per hour etc.

Really, if you don't want to deal with tax headaches, then you should be asking her to provide her own equipment and you should also be checking that she is registered self-employed and perhaps brush up on regulations yourself to ensure that you're complying.

The downside with her providing her own equipment is that she may not use the same cleaning products that you would prefer.

This is why many people prefer agencies, as although they are generally more expensive (although depending on where you live, an agency cleaner can be hired for £8-£10 per hour) there is far fewer headaches with legal mumbo jumbo.

onetomany

u could try a local service our work (im a home carer) provides cleaners etc when needed think we charge 12 per hour but we are insured crb checked ect

durham_girl

I think you're asking for a LOT in just 2 hours! FWIW I've been a cleaner, although not in provate homes and if you want the jobs doing properly, you're either going to have to have her in for a longer time or cut some of the jobs off the list.

clairibel

I work under an agency called Maid2clean and i find it better as if i'm off or sick they will provide another cleaner for the client and provide insurance, they charge £10 of which i get £7 direct from the client left out every week and standing order the rest to the agency.

My client provides all cleaning stuff and i just turn up, iron and clean for 3 hours. But i am classed as self employed and have another part time ironing job as well.

shirlgirl2004

It probably isn't worth the effort. I've had several cleaners and I have to say the worst was the young mum who cam when her child was at nursery. Most don't know how to clean and so I've found I end up redoing what they've done. I've had a couple that weren't staying for the amount of time they were supposed to (and not doing all the jobs either). I tried writing an exact list but it was never followed. In the end I decided it was less stressful to do it myself. Good luck.

Pollycat

Emmzi wrote: »

Well it sounds like you may need more than 2 hours for some of the bigger quarterly etc jobs, what do you want her to do if she isn't finished in 2 hours?

That was my feeling too, although the OP doesn't say how many bedrooms they have.

It DOES spound like a lot to get through in 2 hours.

pippa80

I definitely don't want to exploit someone/ask too much! There's just the one bedroom plus a study/spare room.