What to do when you have no idea what to look for in a janitorial services company
Are you looking for a new or first time cleaning company to clean your office? Hiring a new janitorial services company can be a daunting task. We’ve created this guide to make the process easier for you.
The bottom line: How are they going to make your life easier and your company better?
Staff
The janitorial cleaning service company staff will be in your office when, most likely, you are not there to supervise them. You want to make sure the company performs background checks on their employees. Some companies 1099 their staff, as opposed to paying them as W2 employees. Be wary of companies that use 1099 staff, as they may not be properly insured. W2 employees are most likely covered through business insurance policies, in addition to being covered by Bureau of Workman’s Compensation (BWC) paid by the employer.
Also look for a good company culture. Turnover rates can be quite high in this industry, ask the prospective company what their turnover rate is. Ask what types of employee activities the company provides, to help morale.
Key considerations around a janitorial services company’s staff
- Background Checks
- W2 Employees or 1099?
- What is the company culture like?
Availability and Accountability
First and foremost, is the janitorial services company available when you need them to be? Most cleaning companies work after hours. Will their schedule work for yours? Do you need them to work overnight because you close later in the day? What is the company’s policy on emergency requests, and requests outside of normal business hours? Can they give you examples of how they have helped other clients?
Make sure your point of contact is easily reachable and available to help with issues as they arise. How will you know the cleaning company is doing what they said they will do? Do they self-audit their own work? How often will they audit themselves? Will you be a part of this audit? What tools do they have for you to use to give them feedback so issues are resolved quickly? Often the only way you know what the company will do what they say, is to evaluate them on the job. Many companies offer the option to cancel their service anytime. Make sure you know what the out clause is if you enter into a contract.
Key considerations around a janitorial services company’s availability and accountability
- Blackout times when company will not be available
- Policy on emergency requests
- Examples of helping other companies in the past
References
Just asking for a list of references to call is not necessarily the best way to find out the quality of work a cleaning company will do for you. Think about it, is the company going to give you the name and number of a reference that they do not have a good relationship with, or who is going to speak poorly of their service? It’s doubtful. It’s good to ask for a list of the companies that a janitorial services company is currently cleaning for, and then call the companies on the list and ask about how the cleaning company is better (or worse) than the rest. We list our current clients on our website.
Pro Tip: It’s good to ask for a list of the companies that a janitorial services company is currently cleaning for, and then call the companies on the list to ask about how the cleaning company is better (or worse) than the rest.
Experience
How many years has the janitorial cleaning service been in business? How did they get their start in the business? Why do they like what they do? You likely do not want to select a company that has been in business for a month, because they may not be in business tomorrow. If they’ve been in business for a while, it’s good to ask if the company representative and ownership is still passionate about what they do, and do they get good reviews online?
Key considerations around a janitorial services company’s experience
- How many years in business?
- How did the company start?
- Check reviews online
Cleaner with Dean gives my office that extra shine. Exceptional service and value are what they stand for. Dean takes great strides to ensure that our award winning facility is presented at it's best, each and everyday. He is the man!
Training, Insurance, Bonding and Safety
Ask about what types of training the company conducts with their staff. Are they up to date with specific and ongoing training? Ask about who trains the janitorial staff, how often the training program is updated, and if the training is OSHA Certified.
It’s important to know the level of insurance a cleaning company holds. It’s not inappropriate to ask for their level of insurance coverage – a good company will provide you with this information up front. Is the company covered in case a janitorial company employee gets hurt on your premises? Is the company bonded to cover theft should an employee, heaven forbid, steal from you?
Make sure the company provides uniforms or badges for their staff, so they are easily recognizable. The company should also have processes in place around confidential records, locking doors and keeping everyone involved as safe as possible.
Key considerations around a janitorial services company’s training, insurance, bonding and safety
- Who conducts staff training and is it OSHA certified?
- Check level of insurance coverage
- Employee safety procedures
Customizable and Flexible Plans
Janitorial cleaning service companies will clean as little as one time per month to once a day. Make sure the agreed to cleaning schedule is adaptable based on your budget and needs. Ask the cleaner if they recommend any services that will help reduce your costs and improve your bottom line.
Key considerations around a janitorial services company’s customizable and flexible plans
- Is the cleaning plan flexible?
- How can the cleaning company help you improve your bottom line?