If you think of it as a placement agency, i.e. contractor, who works for you, then yes that extra % may seem like a problem. But then do you manage sick/vacatio

If you think of it as a placement agency, i.e. contractor, who works for you, then yes that extra % may seem like a problem. But then do you manage sick/vacation time? A company who manages the schedule would usually try to have a backup cleaner during those times or provide a new cleaner in the event the current one leaves. They might also follow up to maintain work standards. They might(should) provide insurance coverage on your belongings in case of an accident. On the cleaner side, finding "part-time" work is often a challenge and they enjoy the benefit of having the job handed to them and don't have to worry about where the next job is coming from. It's interesting, there seems to be a few here on HN that have a problem with people building businesses and making money. Is it implausible that the cleaner you have had for months/years could end up with more work than they can handle and begin to bring in help to do the jobs they won? That's often how small businesses are created.