Licensed, Bonded, & Insured: Just Buzz Words?

Brittany Maids is "Insured" with the 3 most important policies a company should have. We are Better Than Bonded. When you are searching for a home cleaning or maid service company you may find yourself confronted with encouraging words about the company in question, such as "Licensed, "Bonded" and "Insured". To be sure, these "Buzz" words imply that the company can be trusted to handle your business and to inspire confidence. But what do these words really signify? Do they really indicate that this company has the necessary protections in place to safeguard your home, possessions and workers in your home?

The answer is...maybe. These words, Buzz Words of the Industry, are thrown around a little too freely. They are supposed to indicate specific things, and not necessarily what you think. Let's examine what the words "licensed", "bonded" and "insured" mean in the context of a Maid or Home Cleaning service and how it relates to you.

BONDED
When a company refers to itself as being "Bonded", it is saying that it has 3rd party backing from a bonding agency for fidelity issues such as, theft of monies, jewelry and other personal possessions. However, they do not disclose the small print. It takes a "conviction" in a court of law before restitution can take place in the event of an "incident". In this day and age those policies in our opinion, are not worth having. They offer little, real protection to the customer. It is a cheap policy that any company can get. BETTER THAN BONDED! Brittany Maids carries an "employee dishonesty" insurance policy, which is more expensive and harder to qualify for. But it has broader coverage, which is a better protection for our customers and contains no small print clause of "upon conviction".

INSURED
Insurance is a contract or policy (from a 3rd party that covers specific losses), usually underwritten by an Insurance Company. In regards to the Home Cleaning Industry, there should be 3 types of insurance "policies" that a responsible company would carry as a protection to their customers. The first one being an "Employee Dishonesty" policy which we discussed under the previous heading. (You should always ask to get a copy of the "certificates of insurance" from the company that you are considering).

In addition there is:
General Liability Insurance. This policy safeguards your premises and articles held within, if there is any damage which can be directly attributed to the company performing the work. In that light, if you hire an "Independent Contractor", friend, relative, or someone else who is not operating a legitimate business entity and some calamity befalls you while they are working, you basically have no 3rd party backing for restitution in the event of a major problem. Of course, at Brittany Maids, we carry "General Liability" insurance.

Worker's Comp Insurance. Many companies in the Home Cleaning Industry hire "Independent Contractors". While just a very few can legally be termed "sub-contractors" or "independent contractors", as most of these companies are only trying to avoid paying payroll taxes and insurance premiums. Therefore, those companies do not have injury protection for their staff members by carrying a Worker's Compensation Insurance policy. Not only is it hazardous to the worker in the event of injury, it can also be disastrous for the home owner as well. That so called independent or sub-contractor, friend, relative or whomever, can therefore sue the homeowner for all related medical expenses. Not a good position to find yourself in! In the event of an injury to one of our employees, Brittany Maids carries Worker's Comp Insurance for their well being and for your piece of mind.

LICENSED
When an entity refers to itself as being "Licensed" it is making a statement that some regulatory authority has endowed them with the right to conduct business after completing intense coursework to satisfy legal and professional requirements. Those requirements are usually stringent and act as a protection to the consumer. Like receiving a "license" to practice medicine or law. CPA's, dentists, nurses, even beauticians, etc. must be "licensed". However, in the Home Cleaning Industry, there is no "regulatory" agency or authority which "oversees" the practices of any given company. Therefore, when a maid service or home cleaning service states that they are "licensed" they are implying the above. However, all that it means is that they have a current Business License, which is mandatory for all business in order to conduct business legally, and so that the County can collect tax revenue from them. Big difference!

So yes, we at Brittany Maids do have a business license. However, we are also members of ARCSI, the Association of Residential Cleaning Services, International. This organization is endeavoring to develop accreditation courses for it's members Richard Wilson, owner of Brittany Maids, is a past Board of Director and a Founding Member of ARCSI. At ARCSI, they recognize the need for proper training and education in the Residential Cleaning Industry and are the forerunners of the standardizing of practices in the Industry. The Brittany Maids company is managed to utilize specific steps to educate, train, monitor, supervise and to take an overall responsibility for the good of their customers.

BOTTOM LINE: These "Buzz" words are marketing tools, words used to convey, convince and to entice you when you are making a selection decision upon hiring a home cleaning  or maid service company. They sound important, but you have to know the real meaning of each one in order to understand the vital importance of each of the concepts being marketed to you. Brittany Maids is the company that you can trust. Since we have real employees and not "independent contractors", we never outsource our work. Therefore, we can assure the service quality and integrity of every employee we send to your home. We have great coverage for you with real insurance policies. Our company has been an integral part of the Atlanta community for over 23 years now. The Brittany Maids Company is committed to our customers' safety and satisfaction, so we don't just use "buzz" words that are empty of meaning. We have a sincere commitment to our customers.

Call Us today to receive a FREE Consultation 404-477-MAID (6243).