Do you ever feel like all janitorial services companies in Michigan are alike? Tired of hearing the same old song and dance from your janitorial service company? Whether you are hearing it from your current contractor or the hundreds of contractors that court you on a regular basis, they all sound the same:
- We hire better people.
- We use better chemicals.
- We're green.
- We use microfiber.
- We are fully bonded and insured.
- We train all our employees.
Good People, Products & Insurance Are Just the First Benchmark
The fact that someone has insurance, trains their employees, and uses high-quality chemicals with an eye on the environment are the minimal requirements of hiring a good cleaning company. While all of these components are important, hearing them over and over again in an unsubstantiated sales pitch can get very old.
So how do you go beyond average janitorial service in Michigan and find a Michigan janitorial company that offers quality professional cleaning services that eclipse the competition? How do you find the real performer in a sea of options? How do you find the best Michigan janitorial companies and get quality, professional cleaning at a reasonable price?
Substantiate the Sales Pitch
It’s all too easy for a janitorial services company in Michigan to talk you to death about how great they are. Look, securing new customers is an important part of any company’s growth plan, but a professional janitorial services company should be able to provide evidence that they are what they claim to be.
When they tell you they are insured, ask to see their policy and confirm whether they carry general liability insurance and an umbrella liability policy. That extra layer of coverage helps shield your organization from third-party litigation.
When they tell you about their quality people, confirm that your janitorial services company is using employees (not subcontractors) and conducts thorough screening. Subcontractors are often used in the janitorial industry to reduce costs for wages, benefits, and payroll taxes, allowing for higher margins. This often comes at the expense of the employee—and the customer—through more turnover and less accountability.
A company that employs people properly (with payroll, taxes, and Social Security withholdings) is committed to their people and their community. Likewise, an employee who is a valued member of their company is far less likely to hop from job to job every few months.
Your Michigan janitorial services company should be able to confirm that their hiring practices are above-board and thorough, including mandatory drug testing, criminal background checks, and reference checks. Every member of their staff should be a legal employee, fully trained, and properly covered by insurance. A janitorial services company in Michigan that offers a solid team of good people—and has the information to prove it—will deliver better service over the long run.
Green cleaning can be an empty buzzword or a genuine commitment to health, safety, and environmental responsibility. When a prospective cleaning company tells you they are green, ask them to back that claim up. Truly green cleaning is about far more than a bottle of non-toxic window cleaner.
What products do they use and how are employees trained in the processes and methods required? What green-cleaning equipment is utilized? What certifications do they have to confirm their commitment to green cleaning? As the buyer, you must be an informed consumer and ensure your Michigan janitorial services company is everything they say they are.
ISSA CIMS GB Certified: What Does It Mean?
Checking, double-checking, and asking hard questions can be a lot of work. If you want to streamline the process and let someone else do much of the upfront qualification for you, consider working with an ISSA CIMS GB Certified Michigan janitorial services company.
The Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification program is rigorous and sets a standard of excellence for building service contractors. The framework is built around five universally accepted quality principles and establishes a janitorial services company as a high-performance, customer-focused cleaning organization.
The GB (Green Building) part of the ISSA CIMS GB certification demonstrates an organization’s commitment to helping customers secure LEED-EBOM points. To get more information on ISSA CIMS GB Certification, click here.
The Extras That Can Make All the Difference
So what should you look for to find a janitorial services company in Michigan that goes beyond the basics? Do they operate with transparency, including open book pricing?
How much do they really talk about their people, and what do they do to train and prepare their employees? Do they invest in their development? People are the most important element of delivering any type of service.
Do you feel a buzz about their culture and how they embrace their people? Do they view employees as a “human resource” or as vital members of their work community? These elements matter—people who feel respected and valued work harder, stay longer, and take ownership of their work in a way that benefits you directly.
Do a little homework—or start with companies that have ISSA CIMS GB certification to build your short list—then dig a little deeper. You will find a janitorial services company in Michigan that is leaps and bounds beyond average.
