Self-employed cleaner or cleaning company for your office?

Two external arrangements are common for office cleaning: you can engage someone who genuinely works on a self-employed basis, or sign a contract with a cleaning company. In both cases, you are buying a service. The main differences lie in how the work is organised, who may attend and what has been promised in writing.

Fast Clean is a cleaning company, so this guide does not claim that one model is automatically better. Its purpose is to help you compare real quotations and supporting documents. If you are considering assigning cleaning to one of your own employees or hiring someone directly, read our comparison of in-house and outsourced cleaning.

Two external providers, two ways of organising the work

A self-employed cleaner provides the service in their own name and organises their own work. You will usually know exactly who is coming and speak directly to that person. A cleaning company may, depending on its size and offer, coordinate several employees and appoint a contact for follow-up.

These organisational differences do not, by themselves, indicate the quality of the work. A reliable self-employed cleaner may offer a very clear framework, while a company may still have limits on availability. Compare the written commitments, not just the label.

Status and evidence: what to check

Before signing, check the provider's identity and the evidence that applies to their situation: a business permit where required, affiliation for self-employed activity, a compliant invoice and insurance that actually covers the work being commissioned. The words “self-employed” and “company” are not substitutes for these checks.

The status must also match the way the relationship works in practice. A self-employed provider organises their activity without being under an employer's authority. If the arrangement looks like employment in practice, ask the CCSS, the ITM or your legal adviser which framework is appropriate before continuing.

Absence and cover: nothing is automatic

Someone who works alone cannot personally attend during holiday or illness. They may, however, have arranged a solution with another professional. Ask what is planned before the first visit.

A company with several employees may find it easier to arrange cover, but this is not an automatic guarantee. Ask whether cover is included, how quickly it may be organised, what limits apply and how the instructions will be passed on.

Equipment and products: the agreement decides

Do not assume that one type of provider always supplies the equipment. A self-employed cleaner may bring their own products; a company may ask for particular equipment to remain on site. The quotation should state who provides, stores and replaces equipment and products, along with any limits for sensitive surfaces.

In either arrangement, ask how delicate floors, washrooms, the kitchenette and accessible glazing will be treated. A clear list of tasks and exclusions prevents you from discovering later that a particular job or item of equipment was not included.

Insurance and damage: ask for evidence

Neither a provider's size nor its status proves that a loss will be covered. Ask for suitable insurance evidence and check the activities covered, exclusions, excess, limits and procedure for reporting an incident.

Also record who must be notified, what information will be requested and any deadline. Insurance does not determine liability in advance and does not guarantee that every loss will be reimbursed; the circumstances and policy terms matter.

Compare the full cost and management time

Compare services with the same scope: areas, tasks, frequency, equipment, periodic work, cover and the time required for follow-up. A lower price does not represent the same service if products, occasional work or an absence plan remain your responsibility.

Compare VAT on a basis that fits your own tax position. A compliant invoice is necessary, but it does not mean that every customer can recover all the tax. Ask your accountant to confirm the comparison if you are unsure.

When each arrangement may fit

A self-employed cleaner may suit a simple, stable requirement when you value direct contact with the person attending and can accept a possible interruption. Their identity, status, insurance and scope should still be clear.

A company may be a better fit for premises with several areas, a changing requirement or a preference for a named contact and defined organisation. Even then, check the available times, equipment, follow-up and cover conditions in the quotation. A contract cleaning agreement should state what has actually been agreed. For business customers, the contract duration or commitment and the ordinary notice period are stated on page 1 of the offer and supplemented by any Terms and Conditions incorporated into it.

Checklist before you decide

Use a cleaning plan to compare quotations on the same basis, then ask:

• Which person or legal entity signs the contract and issues the invoice?
• What evidence of status, authorisation and insurance is available?
• Are the areas, tasks, frequency and exclusions recorded in writing?
• Who supplies, stores and replaces the equipment and products?
• What does the agreement actually provide if the usual person is absent?
• Who will work on the premises, and can any work be subcontracted?
• How do you report an incident or work that needs attention?
• Does the quoted price cover exactly the same scope and VAT basis?

The right choice is the arrangement whose terms fit your premises and are clearly described in the offer. If you are looking for a contractual framework for offices, read more about our office cleaning service.

Official information for Luxembourg

• Guichet.lu — Business permit. Accessed 10 August 2026.
• Guichet.lu — Social security registration for the self-employed. Accessed 10 August 2026.
• Guichet.lu — Employment contracts and subordination. Accessed 10 August 2026.
• Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority — VAT invoice requirements (French). Accessed 10 August 2026.