As of 2021, there are 1,063,988 Janitorial Services businesses in the U.S. If you don’t know what to look for, choosing the right cleaning company can be overwhelming and stressful. The trickiest part is that you’re supposed to leave an entire facility with all its assets to a team of people you don’t know. Finding a team of a Commercial Cleaning Company that will clean well is important, but having trust in them is crucial.
Providing a clean workspace to your employees, clients, and visitors will help you gain a good reputation and increase productivity. Regularly sanitizing the facility will keep all those nasty bacteria and viruses away, resulting in fewer sick days for your employees.
The easiest way to keep your working space clean, orderly, and safe is by hiring a cleaning service.Here’s what to look for in a commercial cleaning company in Houston.
Look at Reviews and Ask for References
There are so many commercial cleaning and janitorial companies to choose from. Thankfully, the internet has provided us with the possibility of getting almost any information we need. The most reliable way to separate the duds from the best is to look at online reviews.
Online forums and reviews are a great place to start when initially researching cleaning companies. They’ll help you quickly eliminate companies right off the bat, so you don’t waste your time with further investigation.
Once you’ve found a few companies you would potentially like to work with, reach out to them. If they offer the services you require, ask for references from past clients.
Do They Offer the Services You Want or Require?
Before reaching out or researching commercial cleaning companies, figure out what services your business needs. While many cleaning companies offer the same services, some are more focused on janitorial services while others specialize in high-pressure cleaning.
The most common services you may need are:
- Janitorial services
- Carpet/floor maintenance
- Dusting
- Vacuuming
- Emptying trash
- Window and mirror cleaning
- Disinfecting
- High-pressure cleaning
The research phase is also a good time to decide whether or not you’re interested in green cleaning. Eco-friendly and safe products are becoming increasingly popular, which resulted in many cleaning service companies switching to green cleaning methods.
Do They Have Experience in Your Industry?
Once you’re clear on what services you’re looking for, it is easier to start researching cleaning service firms. While this step isn’t always something that matters, your industry might require special disinfecting and cleaning processes; you want to be sure that the team fulfills your needs.
For instance, working with a commercial cleaning company familiar with special event spaces will ensure they’ll clean everything and look at the finer details. If you’re in the healthcare industry, you’ll want the cleaning company you hire to have experience with special hygienic procedures and sanitization protocols. Educational institutions also have specific and strict guidelines when it comes to cleaning.
Look for Certifications, Staffing, and Training
You should have a lot of trust in someone to let them inside your company after-hours. When you’ve narrowed down your research, find a couple of options that you can explore in-depth. Don’t hesitate to ask companies how they train their staff and if they provide continuous training. If employees aren’t well trained, it often leads to damages and no-shows.
Feel free to ask them for their previous clients for references. Companies that operate transparently should be more than willing to provide you that information.
Need a bit more evidence before you make a final decision? Don’t worry — most cleaning firms should have certifications they can provide to you if you ask. As an extra precaution, you can check them out on the Better Business Bureau as well.
If you plan to have a cleaning done during office hours, make sure that the company has the proper uniform in place and looks professional so you continue to make good impressions on your visitors.
Set a Budget
One of the most important factors when looking for a cleaning company to hire is the cost.
Cleaning costs can depend on various factors — the cleaning you require if you’re in a specialty niche, your facility’s location, and whether the company is franchised or a local mom-and-pop shop.
Smaller offices with low foot traffic can be cleaned bi-weekly — which can cost around $30 per hour and comes in at less than $1,000 per year — while larger companies that need daily cleaning, which can cost more than $7,200 per year.
Set a budget and find a cleaning company that works with you. They should be upfront with their services and try to meet you in the middle of the price.
Pick the Right Commercial Cleaning Company
Knowing what to look for in a commercial cleaning company will help you find the right partner faster and with more confidence.
The hiring process should include a background check and formal training on procedures and cleaning products they use. Make sure they offer the services you need, do online research, and set a budget that you’ll stick with.
Most importantly, though, you need to trust them. Don’t hurry with the decision — there are so many options on the market, and the last thing you want is to partner with someone you don’t fully trust. Once you feel good about a pick that can meet your needs in your budget, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a spotless space.