Employees vs. Subcontractors: Who's Actually Cleaning Your Home?

You found a company you like, read the reviews and booked the job. But on service day, the people who show up may not actually work for that company. In the exterior cleaning industry, some businesses send their own employees, and others hand jobs to subcontractors. Both are common, but the difference affects who's on your property, how the work is done and who's accountable if something goes wrong.

What subcontracting means

A subcontractor is a separate business or individual hired to do part or all of a job. A company might book your window cleaning and then pass your house wash or pressure washing to another outfit. Sometimes that works fine. But it means the crew at your home may have different training, different equipment, different standards and different insurance than the company you chose.

Why it matters to you

• Who's at your home. You chose a company based on its reputation, but a subcontractor's workers may never have been screened by that company.
• Consistency. Results depend on training and equipment. When the crew changes from job to job, so can the quality.
• Coverage. A subcontractor carries its own insurance, or doesn't. It's worth knowing whose coverage applies to work done on your property.
• Accountability. If something needs to be fixed, you want one clear company responsible, not two businesses pointing at each other.

Want a quote for your home? Request a free quote or call (626) 545-3132.

Questions worth asking before you book

• "Will your own employees do the work, or do you use subcontractors for any part of it?"
• "Are the people who come to my home background-checked?"
• "Can you send me a certificate of insurance?"
• "Are your workers covered by workers' compensation?"
• "If I'm not happy with something, who comes back to fix it?"

A professional company answers these quickly and clearly.

How Rexterior works

Every Rexterior job, from windows to house washing, pressure washing, gutters, solar panels and roofs, is done by our own crew. We never use subcontractors. Every Rexterior technician is background-checked before working on your property, our crew is covered by workers' compensation, and we carry $1 million in general liability insurance. Certificate of insurance available on request. Our own team, professional equipment and consistent service standards on every visit, and we stand behind our work.

Want a crew you never have to worry about? Request a free quote or call (626) 545-3132. Learn more about our exterior cleaning services.

Related reading: Why Workers' Compensation Matters When You Hire a Window Cleaning Company

Frequently asked questions

Is it bad if a company uses subcontractors?

Not necessarily. But you should know who will be at your home, how they're screened and whose insurance covers the work. Ask before you book.

Does Rexterior ever subcontract part of a job?

No. Every service is done by our own crew.

Can I meet the crew ahead of time?

Your crew introduces themselves when they arrive and walks through the plan with you before any work begins.