#71: Deep-Dive into Scaling with Independent Contractors

Independent contractors are one of the hottest — and most confusing — topics in the cleaning industry. Are they legal? What are the risks? And why do so many owners run into trouble when they think they’re doing everything right? We've talked about this before in Episode 62, and today, we're doing a deep dive.

In this episode, Stephanie brings Chris Schwab, remote cleaning business owner and founder of Local Business MBA, back on the podcast to talk more about the reality of running a cleaning business with independent contractors. Chris has operated a fully remote cleaning company for 10+ years and has coached hundreds of owners through this same challenge. They talk about the risks, benefits, and most important things to know about choosing ICs vs. employees.

 What You’ll Learn:
— The IRS’s “Big 3 Tests” that define employees vs. independent contractors
— Red flags that will get you misclassified (uniforms, checklists, scheduling)
— Why quality control is the biggest roadblock to scaling with contractors
— Insurance and liability protections you need in place if you run ICs
— The gray area of hybrid models (and why most fail)
— How to safely transition from contractors to employees if you need to
— Creative ways to find independent contractors in smaller service areas

Resources Mentioned:
— Chris Schwab’s Local Business MBA: https://localbusinessmba.com
— Subscribe to Chris’s Newsletter (Cleaning Industry Insights): https://localbusinessmba.beehiiv.com/subscribe
— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com
— Maid Summit (Free Training Event): https://www.maidsummit.com
— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (Free): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind

Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/deep-dive-into-scaling-with-independent-contractors/