"I want my house cleaned" sounds simple. Three completely different options exist, priced + structured very differently.
The three options
Solo cleaner — one person, runs own business. Word-of-mouth, Nextdoor, local search.
Cleaning company — locally-owned, 2-10 cleaners. Owner schedules, teams of 1-2 visit.
Maid service / national franchise (Molly Maid, Merry Maids, The Cleaning Authority) — branded teams of 2-4 in branded vehicles.
Pricing comparison (typical 2,000 sq ft, biweekly)
- Solo: $120-$170
- Local cleaning service: $150-$220
- National maid franchise: $180-$280
Solo is 20-40% cheaper than franchise. The premium for franchises buys consistency + insurance certainty.
Pros + cons by option
Solo cleaner — pros
- Same person every visit (consistency, knows your home)
- 20-40% cheaper than franchise
- More flexible on extras
- Direct relationship — no middleman
- Tips go to the actual person
Solo cleaner — cons
- Sick/vacation = no clean
- Insurance varies (always ask)
- Quality varies more — depends on individual
- If they quit, you start over
Cleaning service — pros
- Backup cleaner when usual is out
- Insurance + bonded standard
- Team cleaning is faster than solo
- Owner accountability
Cleaning service — cons
- Different cleaner sometimes
- 15-30% more expensive than solo
- Less flexible on extras (company checklist)
National franchise — pros
- Brand consistency
- Insurance + bonded + employee structure (lower legal risk for you)
- Background-checked cleaners
- Corporate liability if damage occurs
- Easy online scheduling
National franchise — cons
- Most expensive
- Different team almost every visit
- Rigid checklist
- Less personal
Which to pick: quick decision
Solo if: want same person; budget primary; like personal relationship; can be flexible if cleaner is occasionally sick.
Cleaning service if: want consistency + reliability; willing to pay 20% more; want backup option; like supporting local small business.
National franchise if: prioritize liability protection + insurance certainty over relationship; want easy online booking + brand recognition; budget not primary.
The hybrid sweet spot
For many customers: a 2-3 person local cleaning service where you get the same cleaner most visits but have backup when needed. Pricing in the middle, consistency close to solo, reliability close to franchise. Browse local cleaning services in your area.
The bottom line
For most residential customers, a solo cleaner or small local cleaning service is best value. National franchises are over-engineered for most homes — you pay 30-50% more for liability protection you don't usually need.