8 Ways to Tell Your Cleaning Company Isn’t Doing a Good Job
Your Office Might Look Tidy, But Is It Really Clean?
Regular office cleaning is an investment in the health and safety of your staff. Beyond health and safety, the image that your business presents is especially important for its reputation. If you feel like your workplace isn’t clean enough, listen to that gut feeling.
Commercial cleaning businesses should always leave the building fresh and spotless. Their job is to go beyond the basic tidying up. Industry trained staff can get at all the grit and grime that builds up throughout the busy workdays. If the carpets still look dingy or you’re noticing dust in hidden corners, you may not be getting your money’s worth and your carpets might be susceptible to germs. Read on for 8 ways to tell whether the company you’ve hired is white – glove worthy or not.
1. They Don’t Have Insurance
This is a must. Commercial cleaners must have insurance to protect you (and them) from anything that might happen while on the job. They should also have comprehensive insurance. This should cover transportation, worker’s compensation, liability and include an umbrella policy. Be sure to verify any insurance policy so you know your company is covered.
2. They Don’t Use Commercial Grade Products
Commercial settings call for cleaning products tailored to each area. A reputable janitorial company will use the highest-quality cleaning products and tools. Household products are only meant for lower-traffic residential settings. In any business setting, you’ll need specially formulated products.
3. They’re Rushing Through the Job
Which brings us to our next point. If the team seems like they’re in a rush, it’s possible that you’re not getting the sanitized, fresh environment you need and expect. When your cleaners come in to vacuum and shampoo the carpets, they need ample time to follow proper procedures.
If they’re hurrying, areas are likely to be missed. This could mean that high touch points like doorknobs aren’t disinfected. It could also mean that they’re skipping carpet cleaning or vacuuming. Read our blog for some great tips on how to keep the carpet looking great between scheduled cleanings.
It’s important that enough time is scheduled for the thorough clean needed for your workplace. Some cleaning products and chemicals need time to absorb and settle before they’re wiped off. If this isn’t happening, you’re not getting the clean you need. Life happens, but a quality cleaning service should always be on schedule so there’s no need to rush.
4. The Janitorial Closet is Messy and Not Properly Stocked
Look at the supply closet. Is it restocked with paper towel, toilet paper, garbage bags and other daily use products? If this is part of your contract, your janitorial company should be restocking these items.
Also look at the condition of the tools being used. Equipment like mops, brooms, sponges and any other accessories should be replaced often. They should also not have any major signs of wear or tear. For example, if your mop head is discoloured and stringy, it needs to be replaced asap.
If cleaning products are kept on site, they should be topped up after each visit. Time spent re-mixing chemicals and hunting down the proper tools takes away from time spent on your next appointment. This means that the cleaning professionals might be having to rush to get to the next job.
5. They Can’t or Don’t Work With Your Schedule
There are few things more disruptive than being invaded by office cleaners in the middle of a task. If an employee is on the phone or finishing up a client meeting, it can be distracting to have the environment change.
For everyone’s sake, it’s a good idea to schedule between office hours. This will let the cleaning team have full access to each room and surface. If this isn’t possible, it will be tough for them to be able to meticulously scrub and sanitize all the areas that need it. For best results, try to schedule your appointments for a time when the office is empty.
6. You Don’t Often See the Same Faces
Some companies may have a lot of turnover, which is a red flag. If their employees aren’t happy, they won’t feel dedicated to the task at hand. Companies who are constantly losing employees also tend to suffer from reduced manpower. This increases the workload for the cleaners while also decreasing the time spent taking care of your space.
This also makes it hard to ensure that each team member is properly trained. Janitorial service staff who are familiar with a space will know the best way to wash and sanitize each area most effectively. Having been to the building many times before, they’ll have a solid routine.
7. You Notice Cleaning Product Residue
When you open shop in the morning, you need to be able to snap into your routine, without having to worry about cleaning residue or streaky glass. The last thing you want is to have to do a tidy-up job after the janitorial staff has come and gone. If this is happening, you’re not getting the quality you deserve.
8. They’re Hard to Reach
If you have questions or concerns and are unable to communicate with the company, this is a problem. A company that was all too happy to start a contract with you should be available to answer any questions you may have. Anything else signals complacency and this is a sign that they may not value you as a customer.
Communication should be easy and you should be able to quickly resolve any issues. If you’re feeling forgotten, it might be time to look elsewhere for your cleaning services.
If your cleaning company isn’t meeting your expectations, look to Mayfair Building Services for outstanding commercial cleaning services. With over 30 years of experience, our professional, fully trained and certified employees can handle everything from industrial cleanup to office floor cleaning. We also offer 24/7 emergency services for complete peace of mind. We serve the entire Greater Vancouver area including Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley and White Rock. Contact our Burnaby office today at (604) 439-0312 to get started.
