Finding the right contract cleaning service can be a daunting task. With so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? And more importantly, how do you avoid getting taken advantage of by a cleaning company that doesn’t deliver on its promises?
Here are 5 questions you should ask any contract cleaning service you’re thinking of hiring:
What kind of cleaning services do you offer?
Make sure the contract cleaners you hire can provide the services you’re looking for, such as janitorial services, carpet cleaning and window washing. Some companies may also offer special services like pressure washing and hard surface restoration.
Before you think of hiring a contractor, make sure to write a list of all the services you think you’ll definitely need, and those that are just nice-to-haves. Do bear in mind though – the more services you hire them for, the more expensive they’ll be!
How much experience do your employees have?
Ask how long they’ve been in business and the years of experience their employees have. Most contract cleaning companies are independently owned and operated, so it’s important to make sure they employ experienced professionals who know what they’re doing.
One good rule of thumb is if a business has retained its employees for more than a couple of years, they’ll generally be well-run. A red flag would be if all of their employees are new or you can see a high rate of employee turnover!
What supplies will I need to provide?
Many contract cleaners require clients to supply their own cleaning products and equipment, while others include them in their service fees. Make sure to ask if you need to provide anything, so there are no surprises down the line. Also make sure you have an inventory of the products you currently have, buy in when needed and those you have on regular order. When requesting quotes from cleaning companies, give them the list of cleaning supplies you usually use so they have good visibility of the cross-over!
How often do you clean?
The frequency of cleaning services can vary depending on the size of your business and how much traffic it sees. If you have some experience of cleaning your own offices and know roughly how long everything takes, this will help you greatly before you speak to a cleaning company!
Make sure the contract cleaners have an established schedule that fits your needs, or are able to flex their schedule in order to do so. As with the list of services however – clearly, the more man-hours you need per week, the more expensive their service will be!
Try and strike a good balance between jobs you know will have to be done very regularly, like hourly toilet-checks, and those that might not be as urgent, such as cleaning carpets in your server room!
Are you bonded and insured?
Finally, it’s important to make sure any contract cleaners you hire are bonded and insured in case of accident or injury while on the job. Ask for proof of insurance before signing a contract. Making sure that there are clear agreements and guarantees of level-of-service to protect both you and the company you’ll be hiring- run away and don’t look back if a company doesn’t have enough faith in their services to provide a guarantee!
By asking these questions, you’ll be able to find a reputable contract cleaning service that meets your needs and is within your budget.
Hopefully this post has helped you, and if you’re in the market for reputable, insured cleaners with decades of experience and a full list of services, why not get in touch with our team today?
