Does Your Office Cleaning Service Have You Ready For Business?
Office cleaning seems like such a straight forward service and yet it can be perplexing why so many office cleaning companies seem to get it wrong.
As a Facility Manager, finding the right office cleaning service can be nebulous. Part of the issue is there are just so many office cleaning services out there that separating the real pros from the rest can be taxing.
Then if you do find decent office cleaners, all too often what started okay slips quickly into a familiar pattern of mediocrity.
Or maybe your office cleaners were solid but a revolving door of new people keeps you in a constant cycle of training your cleaning company’s people.
There are so many obstacles that get in the way of finding a true partner in your commercial office cleaning, but you can overcome these hurdles. Arm yourself with the best information and selecting office cleaning services for your facility won’t be effortless, but is certainly worth the effort.
Office Janitorial Service Services Impact Productivity, Absenteeism & More
Sure everyone appreciates a clean and tidy office but it isn’t just about aesthetics and image.
Office cleaning has a notable impact on important business metrics like productivity, absenteeism, employee engagement and even profits.
When you have mediocre office cleaning services, revenue and sales drop off, productivity declines, staff morale collapses, quality standards fall and absenteeism and attrition grow.
Poor office cleaning will eventually hit your facility right where it matters most, your bottom line.
A poorly maintained facility sends the wrong message about commitment, performance and professionalism.
A properly maintained office sets a standard and expectation. It tells your employees you expect a high level of performance and it tells customers you care about details.
When an office is cleaned well and regularly, employees and tenants are more likely to contribute their own time and effort to keeping things tidy.
Studies show a well maintained workplace has a significant beneficial influence on employee retention and satisfaction.
Clean buildings also create impressions of reliability, quality and trust to customers and prospective customers.
Has An Office Cleaning Company Let You Down?
One of the challenges in finding commercial office cleaning services to partner with is that there are just so many in the very flooded cleaning market.
The perceived low cost of entry means that each year, new office cleaning companies pop up.
Add these new entries to startups, mom-and-pop operations, one-man-and-a-van setups, medium-sized services, large local companies and national franchises — and you can see why it isn’t hard to find an office cleaning company, but it is hard to find the RIGHT one.
As in any industry, some commercial office cleaning companies are great and some are not.
An office cleaning company must have an established service record and reputation for consistent, reliable service.
Solid office cleaning requires planning and strategy. Systems must guarantee reliability through accountability.
Even if you find an office cleaning service that has their heart in it, if they are not equipped with the knowledge, experience and strategy to deliver the highest levels of service, they simply won't be able to.
Some Office Cleaning Services Get It Right
The marketplace is crowded and full of mediocrity, but there ARE office cleaning services ready to deliver.
What do the best office janitorial companies do differently?
The most effective, responsive and professional office cleaning services:
- Are clear about your security requirements
- Never use illegal labor or illegal subcontracting
- Provide documentation of employee screening & training
- Hold certifications like CIMS
- Use industry best practices
- Utilize systems and processes for quality and responsiveness
- Employ quality control measures like inspections
- Have comprehensive green office cleaning programs
- Use technology to streamline service and reduce cost
Finding A Commercial Cleaning Company That Will Have Your Facility Ready For Business
Finding a commercial cleaning company that will have you ready for business isn’t easy — but it IS worth it.
How do you choose among such a crowded marketplace?
First, don’t buy based on price alone. A very low price is a red flag. But paying more doesn’t always get you more either.
Your goal: reasonable cost + real value.
Unusually low quotes are usually inaccurate pricing or intentional lowballing.
Only consider companies with clear, straightforward pricing so you can compare bids meaningfully.
Look for companies that can back up their claims with real systems, training and processes.
Commercial cleaning companies with great training will gladly show it to you — they WANT you to know what makes them better.
And always check with fellow facility managers or trusted vendors for referrals.
Making the Search Easier For You
Professional certification is a powerful shortcut when choosing office cleaning companies.
CIMS certification is one of the most valuable tools. It helps you identify true professionals with strong systems and accountability.
CIMS (Certified Industry Management Standard) is offered through ISSA and covers:
- Quality Systems
- Service Delivery
- Human Resources
- Health, Safety & Environmental Stewardship
- Management Commitment
- Commitment to quality green office cleaning
These benchmarks tell you if your prospective cleaners have the operational maturity to deliver top-tier service.
While CIMS certification is difficult and costly to earn, it is FREE for you to use as a filtering tool.
Here at Stathakis, office cleaning has always been a hallmark of our service. For over thirty years, we have delivered professional, effective, affordable and customer-focused building services across Southeastern Michigan.
