10/25/2026
A little reminder about how subcontracting works in the cleaning industry.
When you work as a subcontractor, you aren't receiving the full amount the client pays for the job. The business owner has overhead, insurance, marketing, supplies, scheduling, client communication, and countless behind the scenes responsibilities that keep the business running.
Subcontractors can focus on what they do best showing up, completing the job, and getting paid without having to worry about finding clients, filling their schedules, managing client relationships, or handling the daily challenges of running a business.
Trust me, if I could pay more, I absolutely would. I currently pay $23–$30 per hour plus if any client tips the cleaner gets 100% of that as well. Which is competitive compared to many cleaning companies that start around $15 per hour.
I want my subcontractors to be compensated fairly, but I also have a business to run. Revenue is not profit. We have expenses, investments, and responsibilities that go far beyond the actual cleaning. At the end of the day, business owners have to make a profit, too. That's what allows us to keep our businesses running, grow, and continue providing work opportunities.
Running a cleaning business is about much more than cleaning houses. There's a lot happening behind the scenes that people don't always see.
Fair pay matters. Supporting your subcontractors matters. But profitability matters, too. A business cannot survive if there's nothing left after expenses are paid.
