10 Factors of Consistent Commercial Cleaning
You take pride in your business, and the appearance and cleanliness of your office space reflect this. A tastefully decorated, well-maintained office at a decent address gives clients, staff, visitors, and even competitors a positive image of success. If your cleaning and janitorial services are not to scratch, and the office is messy and untidy, you will have wasted your money.
Office cleanliness is important to everyone. It creates a lasting impression on customers, good or bad, and affects the morale and productivity of the staff. Your staff members are paid to do specific functions and are busy with their work. They don’t have time to check that your commercial janitorial cleaning service is doing what it should.
Once you have negotiated with a professional cleaning company and agreed on requirements and expectations, you should never have to worry again. The janitorial company should monitor and inspect, ensuring standards are maintained. Sadly, with your typical cleaning company, the phrase “a new broom sweeps clean” often applies– and after a few months, complacency sets in and the cleaning standards drop. This is unacceptable.
If you are paying for a service, especially one as important to the reputation of your business as cleaning and janitorial services, you should expect ongoing high quality service. Most janitorial companies let their services slip eventually.
You need to know how to tell your commercial janitorial cleaning company is doing a good job.
Here is a list of 10 factors you can look at:
1. Good Communication
A good relationship with your cleaning company starts with good communication. Your janitorial provider needs to fully understand your requirements, how your business works and what your expectations are. It should be made clear what you as the client will and will not tolerate from the service.
Ongoing communication is essential, especially when there are any areas that need improvement to prevent future problems. There must be clear communication to discuss the outcome of these issues.
2. Service Plan
This initial communication then needs to be put into a written and actionable service plan or scope of work that details exactly what will be done, how it will be done, and when it will be done. This plan should be the foundation on which you can measure the service you receive.
3. Safety Statement
In addition to the service plan, a safety statement should be drawn up. The janitorial company should be held to minimum standards that fit with your company’s safety protocols.
4. Service Contract Agreement
To ensure both parties clearly understand the service, the agreement should be reduced to a service contract. It should specifically detail the service to be provided and the requirements and obligations of both parties. A contract will prevent misunderstanding, unrealistic expectations and avoid future disputes. Both parties can then refer to this agreement should any dispute arise in the future.
5. Flexible Services
The above agreements and contracts, notwithstanding, a good cleaning service must remain flexible and able to deal with sudden changes in routine or unforeseen requirements of your business. Many things could occur during the course of the working day and staff members must be flexible enough to deal with them immediately so the situation can be rectified.
6. Quality, Modern and Well-Maintained Equipment
To do a quality professional job, janitorial crew members need to use up-to-date, high-quality machines. This is part of the reason you pay for commercial janitorial services –you do not want to deal with the expense of buying and maintaining your own equipment.
7. Trained Staff
It is essential that the staff members are knowledgeable, well-trained and proactive. They need to know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it well. Well-trained staff members are also important to the safety of your business and employees.
8. Professional Appearance and Identification
Commercial cleaning staff should be instantly recognizable. They should wear a uniform with the name of the company on it, as well as personal identification and/or name badge. The professional janitorial company should be proud of its name and employees and should want them to wear its name and promote its business.
9. Safe and Effective Cleaning Supplies
The company should use top-quality cleaning materials. Harsh chemicals should be avoided except where absolutely necessary, and natural, eco-friendly products should be used wherever possible. These are better for the environment and healthier for staff and visitors.
10. Good Duration of Experience
This is a tricky one because there are some new companies working very hard to develop a good reputation for quality reliable service. As a general rule, however, a company that has years of experience and has survived in the market for many years is more likely to consistently deliver top service. That is why it has stayed in business for so long.
This list is by no means exhaustive but it will set the foundation for a good, long-term relationship with your professional janitorial company. Treat the service as you would any aspect of your business and expect nothing but the very best service at all times.
For a company that will deliver top-notch service, adhering to all the above requirements and much more, contact iNX today. We have experienced local professionals and will ensure your office cleanliness is of the highest standards at all times. Call 1 (888) Team-iNX today!
