If a cook or housekeeper count as a household employee, does the people i pay to keep my grass cut every week, all year also count?

[AnthonyC · Accepted solution]

Not likely.  The key factor is whether you can control not only what work is done, but how it is done

See the following descriptions and example from IRS Publication 926 (page 3)

Workers who aren't your employees. 

If only the worker can control how the work is done, the worker isn't your employee but is self-employed. A self-employed worker usually provides his or her own tools and offers services to the general public in an independent business.

Example.

You made an agreement with John Peters to care for your lawn. John runs a lawn care business and offers his services to the general public. He provides his own tools and supplies, and he hires and pays any helpers he needs. Neither John nor his helpers are your household employees.