You've decided to hire cleaning help. Now comes the question everyone asks: should you go through an agency, or hire someone independently?
Both options work. Both have trade-offs. The right choice depends entirely on what you value most. Let's break it down without the sales pitch.
The Cost Difference (Real Numbers)
Agency Cleaning
- Typical rate: €30-45/hour
- What's included: Products, insurance, admin, backup coverage
- With CESU tax credit (50%): €15-22.50/hour effective cost
Independent Cleaner (Declared)
- Typical rate: €20-30/hour
- You also pay: Social charges (~25% via CESU)
- Real cost: €25-37/hour before tax credit
- With CESU tax credit (50%): €12.50-18.50/hour effective cost
Independent Cleaner (Undeclared)
- Typical rate: €12-18/hour cash
- What you're risking: Fines, no insurance, no legal protection
- No tax credit available
Bottom line: After tax credits, the gap between agency and declared independent is often just €2-5/hour. Much smaller than the sticker price suggests.
What You Get With an Agency
The Genuine Advantages
- Backup coverage - Your cleaner is sick? Someone else shows up. This alone is worth it for many people.
- Full insurance - If something breaks or there's an accident, you're covered. No awkward conversations.
- Zero admin - No employer registration, no social security payments to manage, no contracts to write.
- Vetting done for you - Background checks, references, training.
- Easy to switch - Not happy? Ask for someone different without awkward conversations.
The Honest Downsides
- Higher sticker price - Even if effective cost is similar
- Less personal relationship - You might not always get the same person
- Less flexibility - Structured scheduling, cancellation policies
- Corporate approach - Some agencies are impersonal
What You Get With an Independent
The Genuine Advantages
- Consistency - Same person every time, learns your home
- Personal relationship - Often more invested in doing good work
- Flexibility - Easier to adjust schedules, special requests
- Lower visible cost - Feels cheaper (though effective cost is similar)
- Direct feedback - No middleman in communication
The Honest Downsides
- You're the employer - Admin responsibility is yours
- No backup - They're sick or on vacation? Your home doesn't get cleaned
- Insurance gaps - You need to verify coverage or accept risk
- Harder to end - If it's not working, the conversation is uncomfortable
- Finding someone good - No guarantee of quality or references
Your Responsibilities as an Employer
If you hire someone independently and declare them properly (which you should), here's what you're signing up for:
- Registering with CCSS as an employer
- Monthly social security declarations
- Providing payslips
- Following employment law (notice periods, paid leave)
- Handling taxes and end-of-year declarations
CESU simplifies much of this, but you're still the employer with legal obligations.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Choose an Agency If:
- You travel frequently and need reliable coverage
- You don't want employer responsibilities
- Insurance and liability matter to you
- You value being able to switch cleaners easily
- Your time is worth more than the cost difference
Choose an Independent If:
- You want the same trusted person every time
- You value a personal relationship
- You have flexibility if they're unavailable
- You don't mind some admin work
- You've found someone through trusted recommendation
The Hybrid Approach
Some people do both:
- Regular weekly cleaning through agency (backup guaranteed)
- Occasional deep cleaning with trusted independent
This gets you reliability for routine work and personal touch for bigger jobs.
Finding Quality Either Way
For Agencies
- Check Google reviews (volume and recency matter)
- Ask about their cleaner selection process
- Clarify their backup policy
- Understand cancellation terms
- Request a trial session
For Independents
- Get references from someone you trust
- Verify they're willing to be declared
- Ask about their insurance situation
- Start with a trial period
- Put everything in writing
The Bottom Line
There's no universally "right" answer. Agency cleaning offers convenience and protection. Independent cleaning offers relationship and flexibility.
What matters most: both options are legitimate when done properly. What's not okay is undeclared work - it's illegal, unprotected, and unfair to cleaners who work legally.
Choose based on your priorities, not just the price tag. After tax credits, the cost difference is smaller than you think. What really differs is the experience.
