Hiring a cleaner: pros and cons of private vs. agency (e.g. Batmaid)

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
1

I’ve decided to give myself a few more free hours per week by hiring a cleaner. I am hesitating between hiring someone privately vs. going though a company. I’d love to hear input from other forum members as to which route they might recommend. My current pro/con lists are

Private

  • cheaper, and (hopefully) you get to build a relationship with the cleaner
  • if they are ill or on vacation you have no backup
  • extra paperwork
  • we live in a tiny hamlet with poor public transportation connections. I doubt I’d be able to find someone locally, and it might be a challenge to find someone willing to make the journey.

Company

  • guaranteed service every week, no need to worry about sick leave or holidays
  • more expensive
  • I did a search of the forum and found multiple threads where people say contract cleaners either didn’t show up, or else did a poor job.

https://www.englishforum.ch/daily-life/273807-cleaners-like-batmaid-tiger.html

https://www.englishforum.ch/complain…7-batmaid.html

I would be more than happy to pay a premium for reliable service from a company, but such anecdotes make me nervous.

Would love to hear input from EF members in case there are some pros/cons I have missed.

Thanks!

BN

2
We were initially with an agency (years ago) and another advantage is that if the cleaner messes something up, they are insured. (We had some serious damage).

The cleaners were ok but not particularly good, I did not get a feel they were well trained.

I then got a recommendation from a neighbor and went solo. Indeed the issue is no replacement if ill and also during holidays. As well as if they quit. We have been lucky I suppose as ours now with us for 11 yrs and she did have in total perhaps 2 months off (1 month accident and then random stuff).

The paper work is not so bad once you are set up. Monthly payslip and payment (10 mins) and yearly declaration and payment (30 mins).

If you are in a remote place I would ask around and also try to offer enough hrs and good pay to make it worth while (i.e. no one wants to travel 1 hr to work 2 hrs etc)

3
I went with a company, one where I am the client and the cleaner is an employee of the company.

I chose this model because I just don't want the headaches of being an employer. Yes, I realize that there are services such as Quitt that will take care of the administrative end (for a fee), but even that was more than I wanted to do. To me, avoiding the hassles of being an employer is worth the extra that I pay.

I have help four hours every two weeks. That's all I need - and it would be difficult to hire someone directly for that small amount of time.

I have the same cleaner every time, I've developed the same good relationship with her just as I would with someone I employed directly.

If the cleaner is sick or on holiday I have the option of someone else taking the appointment, or re-scheduling.

The company insures their employees. Cleaning materials are provided by the company.

The lady who helps me is happy with the company, as she has full time hours, all the usual benefits and social payments, has a company car to use to get to her clients. She says that she decided to work for a company rather than privately because she wanted stability.

A downside is that the cleaner earns a bit less per hour, as part of what you pay are the company's administrative costs. So because I really value her help, I give her a nice annual bonus.

She is retiring at the end of the year, and I will certainly miss her. The company will provide another employee who will work with my regular helper a a time or two, who will then become my new regular. This is for a seamless transition - for which I am thankful.

---

Some of the companies out there really only act as agencies, and expect you to employ the cleaner directly. So you pay more and still have the administrative headaches. This, to my mind, would be the worst of both models.

4
Which agency are you using Melloncollie? I like it that they also bring their own cleaning material.

5

Kristall Klar:

https://kristall-klar.ch/?gclid=EAIa…SAAEgJ6A_D_BwE

FYI, (I’m in SZ; I’m not sure what their coverage area is.)

6
I have done both.

Used an agency and then also engaged directly (I use Quitt.ch to ensure full compliance).

The agency had a very steep mark-up but if the cleaner did not turn up, I would get a replacement (most of the times). However they kept almost 50% of the overall which was a bit daft.

Not the case directly.

I prefer engaging directly because then the cleaner gets a higher wage.

You can also use Batmaid (Never used them). They have a model whereby you get a dedicated cleaner so kinda mix of both options.

Whatever you do, make sure you are in full compliance and ensure you take Accident and Legal insurance. I know someone who engaged a cleaner without doing the compliance....not great when things go south.

7

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience. Based on your input, I think I will go the company route, but I will for sure confirm that the cleaner has transportation costs/logistics covered by the employer, and is paid a fair wage. (Plus a tip at the end of the year. )

8
I did the same as you, due to the same situation. yes, it happens that with direct employment, they can quite easier....but, I like direct engaging now and paying them correctly, including we can align if my needs change easier.

additionally, she walks my dog after she finishes so that is a bonus for me too. plus while I am on holiday she comes and checks the flat and waters the plants

so, I am all for private help at home

9
I know the rates in rural Vaud might not be as high as Zurich, but could anyone give me a ballpark number for salary? Am now reconsidering the private route as I'd like the cleaner to earn a decent wage, I hadn't really considered what % markup an agency might charge. The problem is that it's highly unlikely there is anyone in our tiny village who might do this work.

The most probable situation is that someone would come from the nearest town (5 km away) and would either need to catch a bus that runs every 1-2 hours, or else drive their own car. I would of course supply all cleaning materials, I'd not expect someone to carry their own. It's also not going to be a big lucrative job, so it might be difficult to attract someone who is independent: we are a childless couple who are reasonably tidy and live in 100m2 (open plan, 2 bedrooms + a lounge/kitchen). I really only need someone to do the floors, bathrooms, and a wipedown of the kitchen once a week. It would likely only take 2 hours, but I'd pay for 3 so long as the work is done well.

10

A good way to get an idea of going rates in your area is to browse Homeservice24 and see what local (ish) cleaners are asking for:

https://homeservice24.ch/de/

11
Will depend a bit of the cleaner experience.

I would says absolute minimum is probably around 25 CHF an hour with the better more experienced cleaners easily be able to claim more. We pay ours 40 CHF an hour including the holiday pay.

Don't forget that you then add on the cost to you as an employer (roughly 6-7%) plus the insurance (about 100 CHF a year).

Maybe you can think to add on some ironing to round off the hours? 3 hrs weekly is decent if cleaner can reach you.

12

Here you go:
https://my.quitt.ch/en/signup/SelectHourlyWage?wt=1
https://lenews.ch/2021/06/15/7-step-…n-switzerland/

13
My cleaner (North of Zurich) has started her own agency with a few other cleaner on her books.

She charges 35.- ph with payroll costs on top (about 2.-).

The cleaners on her books used to be at Batmaid, etc.

They get paid 20 to 22.-ph at these firms while you are charged at least 35.-

I think you should consider that before going these companies routes.

A lot of money stays with investors with tax bases in Zug...