Owning or managing a business means that you have to keep the space clean and clutter-free, both to keep it hygienic and allergy-free and to reduce the risk of workplace injuries or accidents. And, if your business deals with customers directly, it’s important to maintain an image that is squeaky clean, since a dirty, cluttered office sends out a terrible message for anyone that sees it. Not only will they not want to do business with you, but they might also speak about it with other potential customers.
Unlike a home, where all the people can agree to do the cleaning, an office or workspace needs a specific someone to take care of it. A professional cleaning company is what you need, of course! However, just calling the first number that comes up on your Google search might not yield the best results, so this guide will help you find and choose only the best company to clean your business. Here are our tips!
Get a quote from a variety of companies
A cleaning company offering its services at a flat rate is a rare sight. All clients are different, especially if they are business spaces and offices, so the price is bound to be affected by this. This means, of course, that you need to know what each company is going to charge you and for how much work before you can make an informed decision. For each quote that you get, pay attention to the services that will be included: Are they mopping, vacuuming, and dusting every room? Will they clean the kitchen? If the service is recurring, will the individual price of each visit be worth it? These are the questions you need to ask a commercial cleaning company to help you narrow down the most viable options and staying under budget.
Look for Experience, Get References
Most companies will show a list of their strengths right on the homepage, but the truth is that anyone can make promises; you’re looking for people that can back up their offers with real-life experience. A cleaning company that has been in business for years will have the know-how to handle all sorts of cleaning scenarios and situations that can arise by working with your business.
On top of that, they should be able to provide valid references from other clients; this is important, as you might be able to find the names of other local businesses from people you know, and can ask them directly about their experience, so pay attention to them.
Make Sure Their Workers are Fully Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
One of the most vital parts in your search for a cleaning company is making sure that they are bonded, licensed, and insured. This is because their team will be cleaning your business fairly often, and you don’t need to run any unnecessary legal risks in case of an accident. If they are not, you would have no legal recourse to defend yourself from insurance claims should anything happen to them during the job (or, through their actions, to you or your employees). In that scenario, all the legal and medical costs would have to be absorbed by your business insurance, or even by your pocket, and we don’t have to explain why that can turn sour fast.
Read the Fine Print
Even when you already found the cleaning company that you think will do a better job of cleaning your business, stop and read through the entire contract before signing or agreeing to anything. Look for a clause that will let you opt-out of the service in case you’re unhappy with the results. Even before that, ask if their service is provided on a monthly basis if you don’t want to sign up for a whole year. Some companies even offer a trial period or a “sample” cleaning that you pay as a one-time visit, but don’t count on all companies having it. If you find anything in the contract that you don’t agree with and can’t be changed, it’s time to look elsewhere.
State Your Expectations Clearly
A cleaning company will usually provide you with the task checklist they follow, which you can read so you know exactly everything that will be happening in their visit. This is good because you know all that you’re getting for your money, but also because you can tell them what you expect them to do and not to do. This includes avoiding out-of-limit areas and which cleaning products to use, something that helps them give you a better service. Also, if you or one of your employees is allergic to certain chemicals, let them know so they avoid using it.
Knowing how to choose a cleaning company is hard. Your business and employees definitely deserve the best and hiring anything less than that is never a good idea. Aim high and find that one company that will give you the best service at the best price!
