Commercial Cleaning

Why hire a commecial cleaning or janitorial service?
Every business needs a cleaning service that can take out the trash, clean bathrooms, vacuum carpets, mop floors, sweep debris, clean the windows, and dust the workspace. It is generally better to outsource the cleaning to a janitorial service rather than hire the cleaning staff on your payroll and manage them yourself. You may hire a janitorial service that would do all the above mentioned tasks or just a few of them depending on your needs.  If you need the cleaning service to handle hazardous waste like body fluids, chemical waste etc then make sure the janitorial service company is well trained to handle that.

Besides the daily cleaning service, commercial cleaners or janitorial service also perform specialized tasks like power washing of exterior and parking lots, Q-tip cleaning of the facility, carpet shampoo, exterior window washing, HVAC maintenance, dusting of ceiling etc.  If you need these services only and do not want to hire a regular janitorial service then you will have to shop around for such one-time specialized service.

Should you hire a local or a national cleaning service company?
You will see several small local as well as large national commercial cleaning service companies competing for your business.  Larger commercial cleaning companies are likely to have more technologically advanced equipment that may cater to your special needs.  Janitorial service may also have a larger supply of personnel and can send replacements if you are not happy with any of their workers.  But larger janitorial service companies are less flexible on their rates and cannot provide personal attention to your company.  A smaller local janitorial company is equally likely to provide good basic service if they have trained staff but may not have the bells and whistles that some companies need.

How to hire a janitorial service?
First step in picking a janitorial service is to do a realistic assessment of your needs and then compare commercial cleaning services to find the one that best meets your business needs. Call each one of them to gauge their interest and shortlist a few to invite to your premises for a complete walkthrough.  Ask them to submit proposals detailing the cost and the tasks they would perform. Before signing the contract remember to check their insurance and bond certification. Also see proof of background checks and drug testing of their employees.  It is important to check references of the janitorial service companies to see if their current and past clients are satisfied with their service. Call up the local better business bureau and make sure there are no complaints against them. Your janitorial service company should preferably have a customer service number for easy access to a live person.

Finally, review the contract carefully to make sure the agreement is all in writing and you do not depend on any verbal commitments.  If possible, have a “right to cancel” clause in the contract.  If you are unhappy with the janitorial service, you will have the right to cancel without penalty within a few months of commencement of service.

How much does it cost to hire commercial cleaning service?
Cost of service varies by the type of janitorial service and the location. Pricing for basic cleaning services is usually dependent upon the cleanable square footage and frequency or service. Specialized cleaning services like window washing or power wash cost extra.  If square footage is not a factor then the janitorial service will offer a fixed monthly rate. A good example is if you just want them to pick the trash or clean the restrooms or washrooms. If you need special handling of waste, for example bio hazardous body fluids and medical equipment, then charges are going to be higher. The Price should not be the sole criteria for picking a janitorial service provider. It is important to hire a janitorial service that you can trust to do a good job with minimal supervision.