Cleaning Lady: Private or Through a Company?

Keeping your home clean takes time. A lot of time. Between work, children, shopping and everything else, we often end up thinking that some help would be welcome. So we ask around for advice. And that's when the festival of contradictory opinions begins.

"I found a gem privately, she's brilliant!" says one. "Never go private, I had too many hassles with the paperwork!" replies another. In the end, you're none the wiser.

So, direct employment or cleaning company? Let's try to untangle all this together, with the real advantages and real disadvantages of each option. No beating around the bush.

Hiring a Cleaning Lady Privately

The Advantages

1. Flexibility and Personalisation

When you employ someone directly, you discuss your needs face to face. "I'd like you to focus on the bathroom", "Windows every fortnight", "Ironing, never on Mondays". You create a truly bespoke service.

2. Potentially Lower Cost... On Paper

On paper, hiring directly costs less than an agency. No intermediary margin, no VAT on services. Except... we'll come back to this in the disadvantages, because reality is often more nuanced. In fact, rates negotiated "privately" can sometimes be 20 to 50% higher than you might imagine.

3. A Privileged Relationship

This is perhaps the strongest argument. When someone comes to your home for years, a bond inevitably forms. Without exaggeration, this person has seen your children grow up to some extent. They know your habits, your preferences, where everything goes. This rapport is priceless.

4. It's Tax Deductible

In Luxembourg, cleaning costs can be deducted from your taxes. The Luxembourg tax legislation allows these expenses to be deducted under certain conditions and within certain limits. An advantage that exists whichever formula you choose, by the way.

The Disadvantages

1. You Become an Employer (With Everything That Entails)

And this is where things get complicated. Hiring someone directly means:

• Drafting an employment contract compliant with Luxembourg law
• Registering the employee with the CCSS (Joint Social Security Centre)
• Calculating and paying social security contributions every month
• Managing payslips
• Complying with the Luxembourg Labour Code

Are you ready to play this role? To make sometimes difficult decisions? To handle a potential dismissal if things don't work out?

2. No Replacement in Case of Absence

Your helper is ill? On holiday? You're the one left holding the mop. There's no automatic Plan B. If the illness is short, patience will be your best ally. But if it drags on... what do you do?

3. Hidden Costs That Add Up

The hourly wage is just the tip of the iceberg. Add:

• Cleaning products and equipment (at your expense)
• 26 days of statutory paid leave
• 11 bank holidays
• That's 37 days a year when you pay... without any service
• Potential sick leave (with accumulated unused leave)
• The cost of a temporary replacement if you find one

In the end, the "advantageous rate" of private employment often melts away like snow in the sun.

4. Changing Staff? Not So Simple

The work isn't up to scratch anymore? Lateness is accumulating? After years of relationship, it's humanly difficult to part ways with someone. And administratively, a dismissal in Luxembourg is no walk in the park. Notice period, compensation, risk of legal disputes...

Going Through a Cleaning Company

The Advantages

1. The Same Flexibility, Without the Worries

A good cleaning company adapts to your needs: day, time, frequency, specific tasks. And the relationship with the cleaner can be just as pleasant as privately. The difference? You don't have the employer's hat on your head.

2. Zero Administrative Paperwork

Contracts, CCSS, social security contributions, payslips... all of that is handled by the company. You receive an invoice, you pay, done. No declarations, no calculations, no stress.

3. Guaranteed Replacement

Your usual cleaner is absent? The company sends someone else. Holidays are planned in advance, illnesses handled internally. You don't have to worry about anything. And above all: no extra charges.

4. Still Tax Deductible

Invoices from a cleaning company are also deductible. The company even provides you with an annual certificate to simplify your tax return.

5. A Controlled Budget, No Surprises

What's planned at the start is what you pay at the end. No paid leave at your expense, no bank holidays, no equipment to buy (in most cases). The hourly rate may be higher on paper, but the real cost is often comparable, or even lower.

6. Changing Cleaner? Just a Phone Call

If you don't get on or if quality drops, you simply request a change. No dismissal procedure, no awkward conversation, no legal risk.

The Disadvantages

1. A More Visible Starting Cost

The displayed hourly rate is generally higher than a direct salary. But as we've seen, you need to compare like with like. This rate includes everything: charges, leave, replacement, insurance, equipment...

2. The Risk of a Poorly Organised Company

Not all cleaning companies are equal. Poor communication, too frequent changes of staff, non-existent follow-up... It can quickly become frustrating. Hence the importance of choosing your provider well from the start.

So, What Should You Choose?

There's no universal answer. It depends on your situation, your priorities, your attitude to risk and administration.

Private employment means:

• More direct control
• A potentially more personal relationship
• But also more responsibilities and risks

Going through a company means:

• Peace of mind
• A predictable budget
• Guaranteed flexibility
• But you need to choose the right partner

What matters in the end is having someone you trust who takes care of your home. Whether directly or through a company, the key is finding the formula that suits you and feeling at ease.