When it comes to finding a good commercial office cleaning service, it seems everyone has an opinion or some advice. Some suggestions, like asking for referrals from trusted business associates, are great. Other recommendations, like “more expensive is better,” are not quite so helpful. How do you separate the myths from the facts and the bad advice from the good so that you can find the best commercial office cleaning service and keep your office in tip-top shape?
Commercial Office Cleaning & Pricing
Bad Advice #1: Expensive Is Better.
Many people assume expensive is always better. They repeat the axiom “you get what you pay for” like it’s an infallible truth. The reality is much more complicated when it comes to commercial office cleaning. Often, higher pricing has little or nothing to do with getting the job done well and more to do with factors unrelated to quality work.
For instance, inexperienced companies sometimes price too high because they don’t have a solid understanding of how to bid and price for the work . Other companies price high to give themselves room to negotiate down to a more reasonable number. Some price high hoping a facility manager who is unfamiliar with the going rate will simply say yes.
Price is of course a factor in choosing your commercial office cleaning service, but it’s not a reliable decision-making tool beyond: “Is it reasonable?” and “Can I afford it?” Pricing alone doesn’t give you enough information to separate great commercial office cleaning companies from the bad.
Bad Advice #2: Go Cheap, Office Cleaning Services Are All the Same.
On the flip side are people who claim commercial office cleaning companies are all the same and you should just pick the cheapest one. They’re just as mistaken as the high-ticket advocates. First, commercial office cleaning companies are not all the same. Second, price is a consideration, just not the consideration when it comes to finding the right office cleaning service.
A cheap bid may reflect several things. It might mean an inexperienced start-up doesn’t fully understand how much work it will take to clean your offices and underbids. Before you congratulate yourself on scoring a low bid, consider that it won’t take long for the cleaning service to realize they can’t operate at that price. Soon they’ll be asking for more money or cutting services until they feel they’re getting paid reasonably for their time.
The best way to find a great commercial office cleaning company at a reasonable price is to look for a reputable, well-established service. Commercial office cleaning is about value, not just price. Are you getting a reasonable cost for solid, consistent office cleaning? Established office cleaning companies know their business inside and out and understand how to price accurately. Even better, a responsive office cleaning company can help you stick to a building services budget by showing you where to spend the money you have.
Ideally, look for companies with a good reputation who offer transparent pricing so you know precisely what you are paying for.
Go Big Or Go Home
Bad Advice #3: A Big National Office Cleaning Company Is Always Better.
Bigger isn’t always better , especially when it comes to responsiveness. Big national janitorial and office cleaning companies can handle accounts that might be too large for smaller providers. But if you aren’t one of the big fish, don’t expect better service. Large national corporations are often too big to deliver real, responsive attention. Think about the difference between the service at McDonald’s and the attention you get at a locally owned neighborhood restaurant.
Sometimes choosing companies that are local to your area is the better move. Not only is service often more responsive and customized, a local company puts money back into the local economy, benefitting communities right here in Michigan. Local Michigan office cleaning companies also have a smaller pond to fish from, meaning they often work harder to keep their customers. When a big national cleaning company loses an account, they just go get another one.
Office Cleaning, Just Who’s Job Is It Anyway?
Bad Advice #4: Just Let Your Receptionist Or Office Assistant Clean Things Up.
Think for a moment about your admin staff. Let’s use Janice the assistant as an example. Janice does a lot in your office. She drops off FedEx packages, picks up lunch, files paperwork, helps complete projects and tracks down things you need. She’s a “Girl Friday” for sure, but how do you think Janice will feel when you ask her to restock and clean the men’s room? Do you think Janice wants to be around bleach and cleaners in her new work outfit? Do you think she’ll appreciate scrubbing sinks after her forty-dollar manicure?
Using existing staff to clean your office is a recipe for disaster and often leads to lower morale and higher turnover . Even hiring a dedicated office cleaner can be a costly proposition. Trying to manage your own office cleaning is like running a business within a business. Unless you’ve always dreamed of running an office cleaning service, it’s best left to seasoned professionals.
Better Advice for Commercial Office Cleaning
Find an established company with a good reputation that treats their people well. Look for a commercial office cleaning company that is responsive to the needs of their customers . Office cleaning companies have some of the highest attrition rates of any industry, so find a cleaning company with less turnover and you’ll likely get better, more consistent service.
Ask how they find, screen, train, motivate and reward good people, because these are the people who will be in your offices. Consider industry certification as an easy way to narrow your list to the best, most proficient companies. Ignore the bad advice, consider the good advice, and follow your gut when selecting a commercial office cleaning company. You’ll be on your way to the sparkling offices you, your employees and customers deserve.
