Cleaning agency or cleaning marketplace? What you actually pay for

An agency finds a cleaner for you and agrees a price with you. It usually pays the cleaner less than you pay and keeps the difference to cover its costs and profit. Some agencies also arrange cover when your cleaner is away.

A cleaning company typically employs or subcontracts its own staff and supplies the service under a contract. You pay for the cleaning plus the company's management, supervision, cover and overheads.

A marketplace helps you find and contact independent cleaners. Once connected, you and the cleaner agree the work and price directly. The marketplace charges for the introduction in some way. Some take commission from the cleaner, some charge cleaners for leads and some charge the employer.

• Browsing limited cleaner profile summaries is planned to be free.
• Employers use credits to unlock a connection, only after the cleaner has agreed to be introduced.
• The exact unlock cost is shown before you confirm.
• No commission is added to cleaner rates, and cleaners do not pay to find work.
• Credits are not cash and do not pay for the cleaning. You pay the cleaner directly, as agreed.
• There is no monthly subscription in the planned model.

Proposed credit packs are shown on the pricing page for illustration. They are not final and no credits are on sale.

• Cover: an agency or company may replace a cleaner who is ill. With a marketplace, you agree cover with the cleaner or find another yourself.
• Management: companies supervise their staff. With an independent cleaner, you agree the specification and review the work together.
• Cost: a direct arrangement avoids an agency margin, though your total cost depends on the rate you agree.
• Relationship: working directly often means the same cleaner each visit, who gets to know your premises.

A cleaning company may suit large sites needing guaranteed cover and a formal contract. An independent cleaner found through a marketplace may suit small offices, shops, studios and rental properties that value a direct relationship. Our comparison of a self-employed cleaner and a cleaning company goes into more detail.

Whichever you choose, check employment status. Agency workers have specific rights, and a cleaner you engage directly should be genuinely self-employed.

KleanLinc is a UK platform preparing to launch. It is not a cleaning company: the planned platform will let businesses post requirements, review relevant profiles of local, independent cleaners and agree terms directly. Joining the Founding Employer list is free and records interest only.