My thoughts are.
Up to the vat threshold employ. Over the vat threshold franchise. That's purely based on my own figures and calculations.
I've got a part time lad at the minute and although he's not bad at all it still is hassle.
2 vans to look after, 2 lots of equipment to sort out, fix and replace. Customer complaints to deal with etc.
Like anything there's a trade-off to it.
If you have an employee work with you from the van you can keep an eye on him but the trade off is you earn less.
Have him out on his own and you earn more but his knows what he is up to or breaking.
Life eh.
Stay a sole trader, save all the hassle but still be cleaning windows until you die.
Choices, choices