Should You Expect Good Service From Your Cleaning Services in Michigan?
Absolutely! Maybe your cleaning service started off on the right foot but once good service has steadily declined. Or perhaps your cleaning service never performed to an acceptable level.
Maybe you had too much other business pressing to make a change or maybe you even thought all cleaning services were the same, so better not to go through the effort just to end up with an equally bad new cleaning service.
Have you been putting up with bad cleaning services in Michigan? Have you been left unsure what to do about it?
First you must identify what is the root cause of such bad service and from there you can come up with a solution. There are several reasons you might be feeling the way you are and hopefully this list will help you identify the problem and implement a solution or solutions to your cleaning frustrations and send you on your way to cleaning bliss.
Bad Communication
Communication is listed first because it really is the number one reason why cleaning services in Michigan fail to perform.
Did you clearly communicate your expectations to your current cleaning company and did they document those expectations in the form of a workload specification back to you?
If the answer is no, you may need to walk them through the building again and clearly state your expectations and ask for them to include it as part of the contract. Anything short of this is unfair to both the cleaning company and yourself and sets you up for failure.
It is hard to hold someone accountable when they are not sure what they are accountable for.
Sure, you can say it is common sense to vacuum and empty the trash, however; are they expected to do a detail vacuum daily or are they only doing traffic lanes four times a week?
People are different and what one person thinks is important might not even be on another person’s radar.
To eliminate or at least minimize confusion, omissions and errors, tasks and expectations should be laid out clearly in a cleaning specification helping everyone get and stay on the same page.
Nothing should be assumed when putting a workload together. If you expect it, then they should document it.
Once you establish this very important step, you can start holding your cleaning company more accountable.
Likewise, having a detailed cleaning specification gives you a map if you need to add services to keep up with a growing facility or reduce services to meet ever narrowing budgets.
No Training Or Inadequate Training
Good, carefully designed and consistently implemented training is critical to a good Michigan cleaning service.
Every cleaning company says they do training when you are interviewing them, but is it documented?
A professional Michigan cleaning service will have documented systems in place with logs of employee completion.
Choosing a Michigan Cleaning Company starts with clear expectations around scope, staffing, quality control, and communication so you get consistent results.
If you question the competence of your cleaning staff you should inquire how they are training their people and even ask to see proof of training.
It can be hard to determine if training is enough to ensure a solid cleaning job.
This is one area where you might consider only hiring a CIMS Certified Cleaning Contractor.
CIMS sends independent auditors to verify that companies are doing what they promise when it comes to training and many other critical performance areas.
Finding the right Michigan cleaning company or trying to get the most out of your existing one can be exhausting.
Professional organizations like ISSA can help you find an affordable Michigan cleaning service or janitorial company that will deliver solid service and keep their promises.
Lack Of Professional Cleaning Chemicals & Equipment
Sometimes the onsite employees cleaning your facility are good but lack the proper cleaning chemicals and equipment to do the job right.
The easiest way to find this out is by looking in the cleaning closet and seeing what is stored there.
The closet should be in good order with an inventory of chemicals and equipment used to clean your facility.
Many cleaning companies offer green cleaning services.
If your cleaning company has promised green cleaning, are they continuing to use the system or products you were promised?
High Staff Turnover
A revolving door of new people is not good for your cleaning services and can be caused by many factors.
If your cleaning company struggles with communication, training, equipment, or supplies, this can stress cleaners enough to make them quit.
The work is difficult, especially if cleaners do not feel supported.
Low pay can also be a factor if the company is not paying enough to attract and retain quality help.
If you suspect they are not paying enough, ask. It is reasonable for them to communicate wages openly.
An easy way to verify that staff are trained, supported, and happy is simply to talk to them.
You’d be surprised what you can learn by talking to the cleaning crew.
We all want low prices and value in everything—from office supplies to office cleaning.
Still, there is truth to the saying: you get what you pay for.
You don’t need the highest-priced service, as that doesn’t always translate to value.
However, a company that pays a fair wage and offers employees benefits and incentives is more likely to grow and keep a great team.
This translates into consistent, solid service for your facilities.
The Bottom Line
It may be in your best interest to work things out with your current cleaning company before shopping elsewhere.
Some issues require only a little managing from you to go from so-so to good—or from good to great.
If you are unhappy with your service, put it in writing and give them a set period of time to fix things.
Clearly communicate how you feel so they can address deficiencies.
If after this you still feel like you are not getting the service you are paying for, consider moving on using the above guidelines.
The good Michigan cleaning companies are out there and ready to be your go-to team.
There’s no reason not to expect more from your cleaning service.
How to Replace a Bad Cleaning Service explains the key warning signs facility managers should act on before quality drops even further, while Upgrading Cleaning Services After Remodeling highlights why updated cleaning standards are essential to protect renovated spaces and preserve long-term value.
