How to Select a Great Commercial Janitorial Service for Your Business

When choosing a commercial janitorial service for your business, most companies have one major goal: finding a great commercial janitorial service at a reasonable price.

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. If you want to find a great commercial janitorial service, you’ll need to look a little closer. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Here is what you need to know when doing your research:

Take An Inventory of Your Needs

The first step is to decide which commercial janitorial services you need and how often you need them. Whether you want a team to handle your commercial janitorial service once a week, twice a week or every day will make a big difference in the price you pay. You will also want to be specific about the services that you need. Both you and the company you choose need to have clear expectations to avoid miscommunication in the future.

Specialized Commercial Janitorial Services

Depending on your type of business, you may need different kinds of janitorial services. Doctor’s offices, for example, may need specialized cleaning to meet health requirements. Hospitals may need to meet even higher standards.

Additional Services

Consider whether there are other cleaning services you need. Commercial janitorial service companies may provide supply management and replenishment service. Since they buy in bulk, there may be price advantages for you.

The best commercial cleaning companies may also provide additional services you may find useful, such as pest control and landscape maintenance.

Green Cleaning Products

Do you care what products and methods are used to clean your facility? Many common cleaning products contain harmful chemicals such as carcinogens or formaldehyde. A study completed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reported concerns about ingredients in cleaning products leading to an increase in cases of asthma, elevated risk of congenital disabilities, and other health issues.

At OpenWorks, our commercial janitorial services experts recommend using green products to help control indoor pollution and create a healthier environment. Avoid companies that use harmful toxic or bio-accumulative products. In addition to avoiding harsh chemicals, look for a cleaning service that uses environmentally-friendly appliances and equipment that minimizes chemical and water usage.You may also want to ensure that a commercial janitorial service that takes sustainability seriously, including recycling programs, energy and water conservation and the use of post-consumer recycled content.

Do Your Homework

You must be able to trust the commercial janitorial service you choose to serve your facilities. They may have access to executive and managerial offices, or other work areas where proprietary or sensitive information is stored. Before you hire a commercial janitorial services company, do your homework:

Ask for a list of references for current and/or past customers. Then, contact them independently to verify the reference.
Check out their online footprint. Look for professionalism and experience. Pay attention to any customer complaints and how they were addressed.
If you have specialized compliance regulations, ask for proof of certifications.

You also need to make sure the company is insured, licensed, and bonded. In most states, there is not an agency that licenses cleaning services, but all businesses should be registered with the state and city where they operate. So, do not take anyone’s word for it. Verify the information yourself.

Insurance is vital in case there is an accident involving the cleaning company while they are working at your facility or something goes wrong, such as forgetting to shut off a faucet which leads to water damage. A bond is a form of insurance that protects you from any criminal and intentional acts. You should make sure company workers are covered by workers’ compensation insurance to avoid any problems and that their insurance and bond levels are adequate for your needs. Your commercial insurance carrier or broker can help you with this.

Get It in Writing

When you decide to hire a janitorial services company, make sure you get everything in writing. This agreement should detail what services will be provided, how often the services will be rendered and support levels.