11 Tips for Choosing the Right Commercial Cleaning Company

The cleanliness of your office makes an impression on employees, clients and partners. A clean office promotes productivity and creativity. It welcomes customers/clients to your space, reduces illness, boosts employee morale and saves money. A clean office provides a safe place for your workers to carry out their tasks. There are many commercial cleaning companies that provide office cleaning services, but which is right for you? The following are some tips to help you find a trustworthy and efficient commercial office cleaning service that meets your needs. 

• Get estimates: Ask at least 3 cleaning contractors for a detailed written estimate that includes: 

  • A summary of costs

  • Services provided

  • Details of the scope of the job

  • products/equipment used

  • Choices for the timing of cleaning

• Do your research: Find out everything you can about the cleaning contractors. 

  • Check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints and/or litigation.

  • Try sites such as TRUSTEDPROS for customer reviews.

  • Check sites such as Indeed for reviews by employees and past employees. 

  • Find out how long the company has been in business and what training its employees receive. 

• Interview the owners/managers of the 3 companies to discover:

  • How long they’ve been in business.

  • If they recommend cleaning products.

  • If they use eco-friendly cleaning products.

  • What skills do the company/employees bring.

  • If they are familiar with the latest products and techniques.

  • How much experience they have.

  • What standards they follow

  • If they use contractors or employees

  • What work they will complete 

  • How long the cleaning will likely take

  • What their rates are

  • What hours they work

  • How they find, recruit and train team members.

• Check on the cleaning process:

  • How does the team initiate the cleaning process?

  • Do they have a set schedule of where they’re going to clean or do they just begin on a whim?

  • Do they have a checklist of duties?

  • Do they have an established cleaning process that they follow each time?

  • Do they have a set list of specific areas to cover (e.g. foyer, hallways, bathrooms, cubicles, kitchen, window, etc.)?

  • How do they identify and deal with trouble spots such as mould or mildew?

• Check location: 

  • Do they have easy and quick access to your workplace?

  • Is their headquarters nearby?

• Check flexibility and customization:

  • Ask if the office cleaning services can be customized to your needs (how often and what is to be cleaned).

  • Make sure the services can work into your office schedule. 

• Verify liability insurance: Request a copy of the company’s liability insurance certificate and review it. This coverage protects your assets in the event that a team member accidentally damages, breaks or loses an item while working. In addition to property damage, most policies also extend to bodily injury claims, meaning your company won’t be held responsible if a member of the cleaning staff gets hurt while on the job.

• Request other core business documents and review them. These documents include copies of their:

  • Business insurance

  • Business license

  • General insurance

  • Worker’s compensation insurance

• Check references: Request a list of past clients. Call a few and ask them:

  • What can you tell me about the company’s cleaning practices?

  • Are they prompt and professional?

  • Are you happy/satisfied with their work?

  • How long does the cleaning take?

  • Consider visiting past clients to view the results for yourself. 

• Choose the contractor that is best for you, based on the information gathered. 

• Get a detailed contract from your chosen professional. Make sure that it includes:

  • Contact information (company name, address, office and cell numbers)

  • All details of the cleaning that will be done

  • Total cost

  • Inclusions and exclusions

Keeping your office, workplace, and business establishment clean is essential. The best way to ensure a clean and healthy work environment is to hire a commercial cleaning company to do the job. Use these tips to ensure that you employ a reputable and trustworthy commercial cleaner that can meet your unique needs. 

Looking for a reputable and trustworthy professional commercial cleaning company that will meet your business’ specific needs? Call Strathcona Cleaners Ltd at 403-237-8355 or email us at info@strathconacleaners.com. Our Calgary-based business provides janitorial services to an array of industries. We custom-tailor our cleaning and maintenance plans to suit your specific needs. You can even choose non-toxic products and eco-friendly equipment. Depend on us for quality janitorial, office cleaning and post-construction services. Contact us today!