Top Shelf Janitorial Services Don't Have to Be a Pipe Dream
Can you imagine how much easier your day-to-day operations would be if you could find the best janitorial services provider?
As a Facilities Manager, how much weight would it take off your shoulders to have a great Michigan janitorial company delivering responsive service and staying attentive to your facilities’ needs?
How awesome would it be to have a Michigan janitorial company that does what they agreed to do without you micromanaging every detail?
And when there is an issue, they jump on it immediately. Finding and hiring the best Michigan janitorial services provider doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. Yes, there are subpar providers in the cleaning industry, but there are also companies fully committed and resourced to deliver excellent results.
So how do you separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to hiring an outside janitorial service to keep your facilities in top-notch condition?
This can be challenging because the best sales pitch doesn’t always mean the best provider. We’re not saying a quality presentation means a company isn’t qualified, but the pitch itself matters less than what your cleaning company isn’t saying.
To discern the winners from the losers, you need to ask the right questions, verify what you’re being told, and read between the lines. Here are four ways to divide and conquer the job of finding the best janitorial services for your business.
1) Check References
Don’t just ask for references. Do your homework by calling them.
Make sure the references are relevant, and that the services being provided are similar to what you need in your facility. Here are a few questions you can ask:
- How long have they been delivering service for your company?
- What do you like best about the service you are getting?
- What needs to be improved in the service you are currently getting?
- Would you recommend us to hire the service you are getting?
2) Is Your Prospective Janitorial Company CIMS Certified?
Industry certifications like the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) can help you narrow your search to the most qualified providers. There are plenty of companies claiming to be “the best,” but a CIMS-certified provider is far more likely to deliver a higher standard of service.
CIMS is a rigorous, consensus-based standard created by the ISSA (the World Cleaning Industry Association). It evaluates a company’s management, operations, processes, and overall performance.
ISSA CIMS certification helps ensure high performance in management, service quality, human resources, and health and safety.
CIMS-certified companies often deliver a higher level of service and may still be affordable because they understand transparent pricing and how to balance cost savings with quality.
3) Do They Offer Transparent Pricing?
Pricing isn’t about the lowest bid or the highest bid. It’s about working with a company willing and able to price services accurately, transparently, and deliver on their promises.
Too often, new operators enter the field each year, then disappear after realizing janitorial services aren’t “quick and easy money.” Many of these companies bid low, but the work quickly falls apart once reality hits.
A solid and experienced janitorial company knows how to price services fairly so you can meet tightening budgets and still keep your building properly cared for.
With Open Book Pricing, you get exactly the services you pay for, with no confusion about what’s included and what isn’t.
4) Do You Connect With the Janitorial Company You’re Considering?
How do you feel about them?
Does this sound too simple? Research suggests our intuition and “hunches” can be more accurate than we expect. Our brain processes large amounts of information quickly.
Often, we overthink and talk ourselves into doing business with people when our gut tells us to keep looking.
Communication is critical in any service business. The better you connect with your cleaning partner, the easier it will be to adjust services when your facility’s needs change.
It’s important to feel you can communicate openly when there’s a problem. Even the best janitorial companies deal with mistakes and miscommunication sometimes.
A company that makes you feel listened to and valued is more likely to be proactive about keeping you satisfied.
And when companies are competing for your business, most will try to put their best foot forward. If a cleaning company doesn’t impress you early, they may not show up when you really need them.
Most likely, you’ve been down this road before. You know what works and what doesn’t work for your facility.
If you want additional resources to help you shop for the best janitorial services, download our free “360 Buyer’s Guide to Better Cleaning Services.” Finding the best janitorial services in Michigan doesn’t have to feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
