How to Choose the Best Commercial Cleaning Company

A clean and sanitary office or business facility is necessary for success. Your customers demand it and your employees will thank you for it. But one of the most important questions is: Who will clean your business?

One option: You can choose to outsource cleaning responsibilities to a local office cleaning business. When you hire a commercial cleaning company, the company conducts cleaning after-hours (or at regular intervals in highly-trafficked facilities), and the cleaning services company is responsible for tidying up, from cleaning restrooms and vacuuming, to restocking consumables and removing trash.

Hiring an outside cleaning provider offers numerous benefits. Businesses can avoid hiring an on-staff or salaried janitor or avoid cleaning the facilities themselves. Plus, the cleanliness of your business is guaranteed; your office will also look tidy and professional.

As you look for a company who provides office cleaning services, what should you be looking for? From the cleaning company’s reputation to its offered services and expertise, here are seven criteria your commercial property cleaning company should meet:

1. Reputation and Experience

Trust is necessary when hiring a business property cleaner. This company’s employees will be on your site, most frequently, after hours, after you and your employees have gone home for the day. Plus, the company is responsible for working diligently with minimal supervision.

How can you gauge an office cleaning company’s trustworthiness? Ask yourself these questions:

• How Established: Choose a company that’s well-established in your city, town or service area.
• How Many Accounts:  an organization that serves some businesses tends to be a good indicator of a solid reputation.
• Are References Available: The most reputable office cleaning companies are happy to share references.

2. Employee Training and Screening

The best commercial property cleaners take hiring seriously. They hire only the most qualified and trustworthy employees, and they provide employees with ample training to ensure quality and safety.

As you research providers, ask about their employee training policies. In particular, be sure you understand:

• Employee Training: Choose a provider that trains employees in some areas: from cleaning, to safety, to professionalism.
• Employee Screening: Ask what type of employee screening is conducted, i.e., background checks, criminal record checks, etc.
• Regularity: Will the same employee be responsible for your location each day? Or will it be someone new? Choose companies with low turnover, and that send the same employee(s) to your facility consistently.  

3. Types of Services Offered

Do you need just a standard cleaning at regular intervals throughout the week? Or does your facility have special requirements? Before landing on a provider, ensure they provide the services you require.

Some standard cleaning services include:

• Vacuuming, sweeping and mopping
• Trash removable and recycling
• Kitchenette and launderette cleaning
• Stocking consumables, i.e., paper towels and hand soap
• Bathroom cleaning
• Dusting

Some office cleaning providers do offer additional specialized services, as well. For example, floor waxing, carpet shampooing, seasonal disinfecting, or computer and hardware cleaning are shared services that not every company offers. Construction clean-up is another service that not all cleaning companies provide.

4. Types of Facilities Served

Experience matters, and that’s why it’s so important to choose a company that’s worked in a facility similar to yours. Ask for a list of accounts similar to yours: Does the company work in offices of your size? Do they have experience in industrial or medical facilities?

Some companies specialize in just one type of facilities, while others clean most types of commercial properties. A few types of facilities to inquire about expertise include:

• Data centers
• Daycare and childcare facilities
• Medical office cleaning
• Retail facility cleaning

One-time Cleaning: Do you just need to contract a cleaner for a one-time job? Not all companies offer one-time service, which is perfect for after-event clean-up or renovation clean-up.

5. Bonded and Insured

Reputable commercial cleaners are fully bonded and insured. This is necessary; as the company will be responsible if an employee is injured at your facility. Ask about credentials and business licensing as well.

6. Green-Cleaning Practices

If your business makes eco-friendliness a tenant of its mission, it’s only right to select a cleaning partner that utilizes green cleaning practices. This can include everything from microfiber tools to save on waste, green cleaning products, low-energy equipment, and safe waste disposal practices.

Cleaning Company Saving You Time?

There’s not enough hours in the day!  Too many priorities.  Excessive interruptions.  Endless meetings.  The list goes on!  While constant prioritization is a must, leaning on your vendors is vital.  Your vendors are there to provide a dependable service.  They should save you time.  They should allow you to focus on your objectives.  The same holds true for your cleaning company.

A responsible cleaning company can save you time.  Furthermore, a responsive cleaning company will save you even more time.  What do we mean?  If you are accountable for managing your cleaning company, the following will help achieve the most from them.  The relationship should be stress free and trustworthy.  Note these 3 recommendations:

1. Ensure Communication Expectations

If you have a cleaning issue or need, ensure you understand who and how to communicate with.  Setting response expectations are fundamental.  For example, what happens if there is an emergency?  Is primary and secondary contact information clear and current?  How quickly will your cleaning company respond?  How quickly is your business able to respond?  What scenarios should be reviewed to ensure clarity?  These simple steps can save you time.  In conclusion, well defined communication paths should not be optional.

2. Ensure Contractual Tasks Are Exactly What You Need:

Your cleaning contract has been signed.  Your cleaning company is now servicing your building.  However, certain items seem lacking.  You pull the contract, and note some tasks were not identified as needs.  Must you wait until contractual renewal to rectify?  Absolutely not!  Your janitorial provider should quickly process change orders.  Ensuring the cleaning tasks are specified exactly as you need them will save you time in the long run!  Subsequently, these new tasks should be quickly placed into operation on your behalf.

3. Proactive Meetings vs Reactive Meetings:

Regularly scheduled meetings with your cleaning company contact will save you time.  This proactive approach allows for a consistent review of quality, inventory, and change needs.  This will prevent excessive reactive communication both during business hours and after.  Understanding what’s happening and when can prevent the need for responsive concerns.  The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” absolutely applies.  In conclusion, your janitorial provider should take the lead in ensuring proactive meetings are on the schedule.

Allied Facility Care – We’re Here to Save You Time!

Allied Facility Care, AFC is a true, total facility care company! We handle everything from janitorial to mechanical. Whether we self perform or utilize our partnerships, we have you covered.AFC uses a third party certification program to ensure our team receives the best on-going training/certification available. AFC doesn’t just promise quality we prove that we are delivering what you expect through our cloud based Quality Control System. Our system provides the benefits of real-time notifications, and a complete audit trail of our inspections.Each client is assigned to one of our district and regional account managers. Our management team has a vested interest in the success of AFC and its customers through our profit sharing program. AFC believes in rewarding its producers!