It’s important to do research before hiring an office cleaning service. Keep reading for 7 key things to look for in an office cleaning service.
Did you know that employee absences cost employers over $36 billion dollars per year? Unhealthy habits are a driving force but unsanitary workplace conditions are also a big factor.
Remember that co-worker that sneezed all over the communal computer yesterday? Germs spread like wildfire in an office environment. A good office cleaning service is a must for every company.
Don’t use the first service that comes up in an online search. Do your research and look for these 7 things in an office cleaning service.
Why Use an Office Cleaning Service?
There are several benefits to outsourcing your cleaning service. These include:
- Better employee productivity
- Cost-effectiveness
- Decreased employee absences
- High-quality cleanliness
A clean office means more productive employees. Why? Because they’re not spending unnecessary time organizing and cleaning their own space.
Disorganization leads to disrupted focus and interruption of daily tasks. When employees get to work in the morning, they can get right to work if the office space is clean.
Hiring a full-time custodial service with benefits is expensive. Outsourcing cleaning is much more cost-effective.
When the environment gets sanitized and cleaned on a regular basis, germs don’t have a breeding ground. This means fewer employee absences. People also feel better mentally when there’s a high quality of cleanliness in their environment.
No matter what service you choose, make sure you go over these 7 key points first.
1. Experienced and Trained
Lots of experience and ongoing training is a good signs in a cleaning service. Not everyone is born knowing how to clean! Interview every company you’re considering using.
A few questions include:
- How long has your company been in business?
- What type of training are your employees getting?
- Do your employees receive ongoing training?
Well-trained employees ensure your office meets the highest standards of cleanliness. Make sure employees are clear on the safest use of cleaning chemicals.
There are strict safety standards set forth by several organizations depending on the work environment. These include:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Any company you hire should follow industry safety standards. Ask if they offer green cleaning options for a healthier environment.
2. Bonded and Insured
Don’t assume all employees are bonded and insured. Ask! Make sure there’s plenty of coverage for Workers’ Compensation as well as liability coverage.
Determine how the cleaning service ensures your company’s confidential information stays private.
3. Cleaning Protocol
Does the service offer area cleaning, zone cleaning, or steam cleaning? Learn about team cleaning here.
Team cleaning offers a safer, faster, and more effective approach. When teams clean faster, your company saves money.
With steam cleaning, each cleaner has a specific task. Training is simplified and cleaners do a more thorough job.
Does your office cover more than one floor of a building? Team cleaning even cuts energy costs.
How? The whole team cleans one floor at a time so lights are off on the entire floor as soon as the team leaves the space.
4. Scheduling Availability
The cleaning service works for you and should work a flexible schedule around your needs if necessary. A few good questions:
- Are there specific times the company won’t come?
- Can they work around your company’s work hours?
- Are cleaners available in case of emergency clean-up needs?
Not all cleaning services offer flexible scheduling. The last thing you need is employees or visitors conducting business over the noise of the vacuum cleaner!
5. Types of Services
This is another important point of clarification when hiring a cleaning service. What types of services do they offer? Do they make you sign a year-long contract?
Every company has a unique environment and cleaning needs. A hospital has different cleaning needs than a business office. Healthcare facilities are under strict standards set by the government.
Will the cleaning company meet all your needs or will you need another company for specific services? For instance, you might need some big services once or twice a year such as:
- Carpet Cleaning
- Upholstery Cleaning
- Power washing
- Special events cleaning
If the company doesn’t offer these services, keep in mind you’ll need more than one company. Ask if the company offers custom cleaning plans that fit your exact needs.
6. Equipment and Cleaning Supplies
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a cleaning service is the money saved on labor and supplies. Make sure the cleaning service brings its own supplies.
Ask if the crew uses state-of-the-art cleaning equipment. If you run a healthcare facility, make sure they have the proper disinfectants. Ask about their sanitation procedures since those also must meet specific regulations.
7. Check Customer Ratings and Reviews
Ask the company for the name of a few past and current customers. Most companies don’t mind providing a few names of customers willing to speak with you.
How do current customers feel about the cleaning service? If you speak to someone no longer using the company, ask why they left.
Get online and look through the company reviews. Remember that most companies have a few bad reviews. If there are a lot of bad reviews, that’s a red flag.
Finding the Right Office Cleaning Service
Finding the right office cleaning service takes a little bit of time but it’s well worth it. With a little attention to these details, you’ll get the cleaning service that’s a good fit for your company.
Always use a company with experienced and well-trained staff. Make sure the staff gets ongoing training in the most up-to-date methods, especially if they’re cleaning a medical facility.
Only use a company whose staff is bonded and insured. Ask about the company’s cleaning protocol, scheduling availability, and types of services. Make sure they offer the right type of cleaning supplies.
Check customer testimonials and online rates and reviews. You deserve a cleaning service that delivers the highest standards of cleanliness on a routine basis.
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