Having a clean workspace means you’re doing everything to invest in your company’s success. But choosing the right commercial cleaning company can be daunting.
With hundreds of commercial cleaning companies popping left and right, knowing the factors to consider before signing a contract is crucial.
This guide walks you through the 5 most important things to look for when hiring a commercial cleaning company so that you partner with one that doesn’t blindside you, is communicative, and has a guarantee to back up their services.
1. Check their expertise by reading reviews and their website profile
You don’t want to leave the cleanliness of your office or workspace to chance. Hiring a commercial cleaning company without adequate experience can lead to a botched job, and costly mistakes.
To make sure they’re reliable and can back up their claims, check their website profile. Reputable cleaning companies will proudly have a showcase of their work portfolio, usually in the form of a carousel. This shows which clients they’ve engaged with in the past.
Look for information regarding their years in business, industries they service, and any specialized certification. If the latter are not available upfront, you can shoot a message to the cleaning company and ask them directly. A reputable one will have no qualms about showing their staff’s certification to you.
Another great litmus test for choosing the right partner is to check reviews online. Platforms like Google Business, Google Maps, Thumbtack, Facebook, and Yelp offer insights into past clients’ experience with that cleaning company.
Look for reviews with specific mentions of your industry or the types of cleaning services you require as proof they can do what they claim to.
2. Pricing and transparency so you don’t get swindled by hidden fees
Many dishonest cleaning companies deliberately charge surprise fees in the fineprint, as they seem to insult their client’s intelligence. And if you’re not cautious enough, you won’t read the fineprint and think that all that’s in the contract is what you need to pay for — but this isn’t always the case.
Some of them lure you in with lowball estimates only to hit you with these surprises later on. Avoid this by getting extremely detailed quotes from multiple companies that clearly outline all involved costs like:
- Hourly or per-square-foot rates
- Supplies and equipment
- Travel feels (if your business is located outside the company’s service area, they might charge a travel fee. Make sure this is factored into the quote).
- Inquire about potential extra charges for specialized cleaning services like deep cleaning, window washing, or after-hours cleaning.
A reputable one will be transparent with their pricing structure and give a detailed quote that leaves no stone unturned. Do not be afraid to ask questions and negotiate so that you’re getting the fairest price there is on the quote.
3. Check if the cleaning staff have proper insurance and licensing
Before handing over the keys to your warehouse, daycare center, medical facility, or what-have-you, make sure the cleaning company you’re eyeing can provide proper insurance and licensing.
This is arguably the most crucial factor. Liability insurance protects your business should any accidents or damage caused by the cleaning crew incur financial responsibility.
Staff that also have Worker’s Compensation Insurance are covered for medical expenses and lost wages in the event they are injured on the job.
(But don’t worry, these issues are less likely to happen if the cleaning company implements proper safety procedures and adheres to OSHA standards).
4. Don’t take their word for it — check references and reputation
Any cleaning company can claim to be the best or the top, but their reputation is built on results and customer satisfaction. Dig deeper into their track record before deciding.
For example, if their website features a portfolio section of spaces they’ve cleaned, look closely. Are these images doctored or are they legit? Can they also be found in the company’s other social profiles? These are good checks to have in place.
Don’t also close yourself off by just looking at the positive feedback. Anyone would be wary of a company with perfect 5 star reviews on their Google Business profile. But a company that’s sitting in 4.5 – 4.9 seems more reliable.
That said, check the negative reviews. Does the review seem to be a one-time event? Has the company apologized and offered comp for a botched cleaning job? Is there a pattern with the reviews? (e.g. consistently quality service or otherwise).
5. See if they back their services with a guarantee
The reputable ones stand behind their work. Inquire or check the company’s website if they offer a satisfaction guarantee or a re-cleaning policy in case you’re not happy with the results.
A guarantee is a great sign they don’t just want to take your money and be unreachable once the job is done. It’s a great after-sales feature that only the top cleaning companies have and demonstrates their commitment to quality.
Plus, it also gives you peace of mind knowing the guarantee protects your investment and that you can get comp or no-cost services to make up for an unsatisfactory job.
Conclusion
It’s true that hiring a commercial cleaning company can be just another expense — only if you’ve hired the wrong one! But it can be a great, cost-effective investment with the right partner.
So before you sign the dotted line, do your homework. Vet those companies like you would vet a potential business partner.
These crucial tips should help you avoid common cleaning company horror stories and find one that will keep your facility sparkling brighter than a CEO’s smile after a record-breaking quarter.
