Hiring a cleaner in Zurich without the admin means using a managed cleaning service like Rundil, where the company employs the cleaner directly. You book online, pay one monthly invoice, and carry zero AHV, UVG, or employment contract obligations. Private cleaning arrangements make every household the legal employer — with significant fines for non-compliance.

You have just moved to Zurich, or you have been here long enough to know that weekends should not be spent scrubbing bathrooms. You search for a cleaner, find a few options, and then hit a wall: should you hire someone privately, use a platform, or go through a managed service? The answer matters more in Switzerland than almost anywhere else — because hiring a cleaner in Switzerland privately makes you a legal employer, with obligations most expats do not discover until they are already in breach of them. This guide explains your options, what each actually costs, and why Rundil Cleaning eliminates every one of those complications.

Why hiring a cleaner in Zurich is more complicated than you expect

In most countries, paying someone to clean your home is a straightforward private arrangement. In Switzerland, it is not. The moment you hire a private cleaner — even informally, even in cash — Swiss law treats your household as the cleaner’s employer. That triggers a set of legal obligations that most expats are entirely unaware of when they arrive.

The AHV obligation

AHV (Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung) is Switzerland’s state pension and social security system. As the employer, you must register with your local Ausgleichskasse and deduct 6.4% of the gross wage for AHV and IV contributions. You also pay an employer’s contribution on top. If the cleaner earns more than CHF 2,300 per year from your household, the obligation is mandatory — no exceptions.

UVG accident insurance

Every person working in Switzerland must be registered with an accident insurer. As the employer, registering your cleaner with an approved UVG insurer is your legal responsibility — not theirs. Failure to do so means you are personally liable for any workplace injury that occurs in your home.

NAV Hauswirtschaft employment contract

Domestic workers in Switzerland are covered by the Normalarbeitsvertrag Hauswirtschaft — a mandatory employment framework that sets minimum wages, sick pay entitlements (paid from the third month of employment), holiday allowances (8.33% surcharge), and termination notice periods. You cannot opt out of this framework.

The reality for expat families

Most expat families in Zurich and Zug who hire a cleaner privately are in breach of at least one of these obligations — not because they are negligent, but because none of this is explained when you arrive. The penalties include back payments of social security contributions, interest charges, and cantonal fines. Tools like quitt.ch exist to help families manage this admin — but they still require you to act as the employer. Rundil removes the problem entirely by being the employer instead.

Hire a cleaner in Zurich: your three options compared

Option	Hourly rate	You are the employer	AHV / UVG required	English-speaking	Reassignment if not right
Private cleaner (informal)	CHF 25–35/hr	✗ Yes — full liability	✗ Yes — your responsibility	✗ Not guaranteed	✗ Find another yourself
quitt.ch / admin platform	CHF 25–35/hr + fees	✗ Yes — still the employer	✗ Managed for you but required	✗ Not guaranteed	✗ Find another yourself
Valeriana / Helpling	CHF 46–56/hr	✗ Marketplace model varies	✗ Varies by provider	✗ Not standard	✗ Rebook on platform
Rundil Cleaning	CHF 41.50/hr	✓ No — Rundil is the employer	✓ Rundil handles everything	✓ All cleaners speak English	✓ We reassign, no extra cost

The comparison above makes the value clear: Rundil is not just competitively priced against managed competitors like Valeriana (CHF 46/hr) and Helpling — it is the only option that combines zero employer obligations, English-speaking cleaners, transparent pricing, and free reassignment in a single service. The full Rundil cleaning price breakdown for Switzerland is published online, with no hidden fees.

Why Rundil is the right way to hire a cleaner in Zurich

The question expat families in Zurich actually need answered is not just “how much does a cleaner cost?” It is “how do I get a reliable, English-speaking cleaner in my home every week, without becoming a Swiss employer and without spending my evenings managing admin?” Rundil is built to answer exactly that.

Zero admin — Rundil is the employer

When you book with Rundil, you sign a service agreement with Rundil — not an employment contract with the cleaner. Rundil employs every cleaner directly, handling AHV registration, UVG accident insurance, NAV Hauswirtschaft compliance, sick pay, holiday allowances, and year-end declarations to the Ausgleichskasse. Your household has zero employer obligations. You book online, receive one monthly invoice from Rundil, and that is the entirety of your administrative involvement.

CHF 41.50/hr — competitive and transparent

Rundil’s cleaning rate in Switzerland is CHF 41.50/hr for weekly and bi-weekly bookings, and CHF 44.50/hr for monthly or one-off sessions. All rates exclude 8.1% VAT. Extras — inside oven, fridge, windows, kitchen cabinets — are CHF 22.50 each. There are no hidden fees, no setup costs, and no minimum contract. Compare this with Valeriana at CHF 46/hr and Helpling at CHF 46–56/hr: Rundil is cheaper, offers full employment compliance, and provides English-speaking cleaners as standard.

The same cleaner, every visit

Reliability is the single most common complaint about cleaning services in Zurich: a different face every week, last-minute cancellations, inconsistent quality. Rundil assigns you a dedicated cleaner who learns your home and your preferences. The same person arrives at the same time each week or fortnight. If they are ever unavailable, Rundil arranges a cover without you having to do anything. If the cleaner is not the right fit, contact the team via WhatsApp and Rundil reassigns — no penalty, no cost, no awkwardness.

English-speaking — no language barrier

Every Rundil cleaner speaks English. For expat families in Zurich and Zug who are still building German or French, this matters. You can explain your preferences clearly, give feedback easily, and communicate any changes without difficulty. All customer support is also in English, via WhatsApp.

How much does it cost to hire a cleaner in Zurich with Rundil

Rundil’s cleaning prices in Zurich are set by frequency, not by apartment size. The minimum booking is two hours per session.

Frequency	Rate (excl. 8.1% VAT)	Typical 3-bed home (4hr session)	Best for
Weekly or bi-weekly	CHF 41.50/hr	CHF 166/visit	Families needing regular maintenance
Monthly or one-off	CHF 44.50/hr	CHF 178/visit	Occasional deep clean or first session
Extras (oven, fridge, windows, cabinets)	CHF 22.50 each	~30 min per extra	Deep clean add-ons, seasonal refresh

All prices exclude 8.1% MwSt. The Cleaning Plan bills monthly in advance with no admin fee. The Flexi Plan bills at the end of the month for hours taken and carries a 12% admin fee — suited to families who need maximum flexibility. Neither plan has a minimum commitment. Free cancellation until 17:00 the day before each session.

How to book a Rundil cleaner in Zurich

Booking takes under three minutes. There is no obligation to commit to a long-term plan before your first session.

1. Complete the booking form — tell us your address, preferred frequency, and any specific requirements via the Zurich cleaning booking form.
2. We assign your cleaner — a vetted, English-speaking cleaner is identified and introduced to you via WhatsApp before the first visit.
3. First visit — your cleaner learns your home — they arrive at the agreed time, follow your preferences, and complete a thorough clean. After the first visit, the routine is set.
4. One invoice, every month — Rundil invoices you directly. No separate payments to the cleaner, no social security forms, no paperwork.

Families who book Rundil in their first month in Zurich consistently tell us the same thing: they wish they had done it sooner. The admin burden of trying to manage a private cleaning arrangement in Switzerland is real — and entirely avoidable.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register my cleaner with AHV in Switzerland?

Yes — if you hire a private cleaner in Switzerland who earns more than CHF 2,300 per year from your household, you are legally required to register with your local Ausgleichskasse and make AHV and IV contributions. You are also responsible for UVG accident insurance. With Rundil Cleaning, none of this applies — Rundil is the employer and handles all social insurance obligations on your behalf.

How much does a cleaner cost in Zurich?

Hiring a cleaner in Zurich costs CHF 41.50/hr for regular weekly or bi-weekly sessions through Rundil, or CHF 44.50/hr for monthly and one-off bookings. Competitors like Valeriana charge CHF 46/hr and Helpling CHF 46–56/hr. Private informal arrangements cost less per hour but expose households to significant legal and financial risk as the employer. See the full cleaning prices in Switzerland page for a complete rate breakdown.

What is the difference between the Cleaning Plan and the Flexi Plan?

The Cleaning Plan bills monthly in advance and carries no admin fee — the better option for families with a regular weekly or bi-weekly schedule. The Flexi Plan bills at the end of the month for hours actually taken, with a 12% admin fee, and suits families who need flexible scheduling. Both plans include access to the same cleaners, the same hourly rates, and the same free cancellation policy. Neither requires a long-term commitment.

Is the same cleaner assigned every visit?

Yes. Rundil assigns a dedicated cleaner to your home. The same person comes every session, learns your preferences, and builds a reliable routine. If they are ever unavailable, Rundil arranges a cover. If they are not the right fit, Rundil reassigns at no extra cost — no need to search for a replacement yourself.

Do Rundil cleaners speak English?

Yes — all Rundil cleaners speak English. This is a standard requirement, not an optional upgrade. All customer communication and WhatsApp support is also in English, making Rundil the natural choice for expat families in Zurich and Zug who are not yet fluent in German.

What areas does Rundil Cleaning cover in Switzerland?

Rundil Cleaning operates across Zurich and Zug. For families outside these cantons, the Rundil cleaning service page has the latest coverage information. Tutoring and Companions services are available more broadly across Switzerland — see all Rundil services for details.

Can I cancel or pause my cleaning sessions?

Yes. Cancellation is free until 17:00 the day before a scheduled session. You can pause, reduce frequency, or stop entirely at any time — no notice period, no penalties. Rundil is designed around the reality of expat life in Switzerland, where schedules change with work travel, school holidays, and relocations.