Is It Time To Give Your Commercial Cleaning Service a Pink Slip?

Giving Your Commercial Cleaning Service a Pink Slip
Maybe you know it's time to get rid of your commercial cleaning service. In fact, it is probably beyond time to move on.

After a while there are no more second chances and no more trying to get your point across and get your facility’s needs met. The end of the year can be a good time to wipe the slate clean and start over with a new commercial cleaning company.

Why haven’t you found a new cleaning service already? Maybe you have some reservations about taking the time required to get a new cleaning company up to speed.

But really, your current company is keeping you plenty busy fielding complaints about their work from your tenants and playing catch-up with their missed tasks.

Maybe you know your commercial cleaning service just isn't cutting it, but you wonder, aren’t all cleaning services the same?

Is the next commercial cleaning service going to be any better than the one you have now?

Or perhaps you worry that the best commercial cleaning services are beyond your budget.

The reality is that you don’t have to live with a commercial cleaning service that isn’t meeting your needs. Likewise, having budget constraints does not limit you to subpar commercial cleaning services.

In fact, some of the most reputable professional commercial cleaning services are also the ones best equipped to save you money.

Problems That Aren’t Fixable

So when is it time to send that frog packing and set your sights on a prince?

With any commercial cleaning company you partner with there will occasionally be problems. Service organizations are made up of people, and people are not perfect.

Perfection is not the goal. The goal is consistent, responsive, and reliably good service.

So when do issues become serious enough that your cleaning company simply cannot deliver the results you need?

1. An Apathy Epidemic

Passion, interest, care and concern — do any of these describe your current cleaning service?

If not, it may be time to look for a replacement. Apathy is a common problem across many service industries.

Companies that truly care about their work create dramatically better results for their customers.

And apathy spreads from the top down. If managers don’t care about service quality, frontline employees rarely compensate for that lack of leadership.

Fortunately there are many commercial cleaning companies that genuinely take pride in their work and their customers.

2. The Human Factor

Every service business is built on people.

Great people create great results. Poor hiring decisions create major risks for your facility.

Cleaning companies that hire illegally or pay workers under the table present serious risks.

Improperly screened employees can also create safety concerns, especially since cleaning crews often work in buildings after hours without supervision.

Less severe but still problematic is poor training. Employees may want to do a good job but simply lack the knowledge required.

A reputable cleaning company recruits carefully, screens employees thoroughly, trains them properly, and rewards strong performance.

This approach results in low turnover and consistent service .

3. You Cannot Work Around a Lack of Training

Cleaning large facilities requires coordination, training, and well-designed systems.

Professional cleaning companies implement structured procedures to ensure consistent service delivery.

A reputable commercial cleaning service can also support green cleaning goals and customize service plans to meet both operational needs and budgets.

Well-trained employees understand chemical safety, workplace professionalism, and effective cleaning methods.

When employees receive proper training they take pride in their work and deliver better results.

4. Indifference Becomes the Rule, Not the Exception

Many Facility Managers report frustration with slow or nonexistent responses to service issues.

If your cleaning company repeatedly promises improvements but nothing changes, it may be time to reconsider the partnership.

If reporting issues becomes more trouble than it’s worth, the relationship is likely beyond repair.

5. Is Your Commercial Cleaning Service Consistency Inconsistent?

Occasional mistakes happen, but frequent service failures are unacceptable.

Mistakes should be the exception — not the rule.

Professional cleaning companies provide clear cleaning specifications so customers understand exactly what services are included.

If you constantly need to double-check work or remind crews about missed tasks, it may be time to move on.

It Won’t Be Easy, But You Can Find a Great Commercial Cleaning Service

Commercial cleaning companies range from outstanding to extremely poor.

Finding the right partner requires careful evaluation because every company claims to deliver excellent service.

However, there truly are exceptional cleaning companies that value their employees, customers, and reputation.

Referrals from other Facility Managers can be one of the most reliable ways to identify strong service providers.

Take your time during the selection process and trust your instincts.

If people are the most critical component of a service business — and they are — ask prospective cleaning companies detailed questions about their employees and training programs.

Professional Certification Can Be a Valuable Time Saver

Industry organizations and certification programs can help you identify high-quality providers more quickly.

Organizations such as ISSA offer professional certifications for cleaning contractors.

These certifications are voluntary, making them a strong indicator of a company’s commitment to quality.

The Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification program requires companies to meet strict industry benchmarks.

Companies that pursue certification typically demonstrate pride in their work and commitment to delivering excellent service.

Choosing ISSA CIMS certified providers helps eliminate poor options and accelerates your search for the right cleaning partner.