A Clear Price Point is Critical to a Lasting Partnership
Finding an office cleaning company that can provide quality service at the right price can feel unattainable at times.
The office cleaning marketplace is filled with providers claiming to be the best. Many don’t clearly price their services, which makes them hard to compare.
If you choose the wrong company, you may also face upcharges and hidden fees. That can happen without the benefit of professional, responsive service.
To get a meaningful quote in an RFP (request for proposal), you need accurate information about your facility and budget.
The good news: you can approach the janitorial marketplace in a way that helps you start with qualified options and narrow down to the right partner.
What Your Commercial Cleaning Company Needs to Know
A strong partnership with your prospective office cleaning service starts with a solid RFP and accurate details.
To help a cleaning company price correctly, be ready to share:
- Square footage broken down by flooring type
- Floor types (because each type has different care requirements)
- Approximate headcount and building traffic patterns
- Consumable usage expectations (toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, and other supplies)
A common mistake is not having details on floor type. That single detail can change the price point significantly.
Traffic matters too. The number of people in the facility affects how quickly restrooms and common areas need attention.
No Site Visit, No Contract
One huge red flag is a company that provides a quote without doing a site visit.
A site visit helps confirm what your facility needs and whether the company can actually meet those needs.
It can also help you build a smart cleaning plan.
In simple terms, smart cleaning means cleaning more efficiently by identifying what truly needs service, how often, and what can be reduced without hurting results.
A site inspection is also your best chance to get to know your Michigan office cleaning company. A personal relationship makes communication easier and supports a long-term partnership.
A Bad Cleaning Company Still Has Some Use
If you’ve had negative cleaning experiences in the past, use them to your advantage.
Tell your prospective janitorial provider what worked and what didn’t. The best companies listen closely and use your pain points to build a better plan.
For example:
- If employee turnover hurt service quality, tell them you want consistency
- If communication was poor, tell them you want clear check-ins and fast responses
- If “extras” kept showing up as surprise fees, ask for transparent pricing upfront
When your prospective Detroit office cleaning company knows what to focus on, service can be more tailored to your needs.
You Can Get a Clean Facility on a Reduced Budget
Many facilities don’t have the budget to get everything done that they would like. That is very common in this industry.
Cleaning solutions are rarely perfectly budget friendly. Even experienced providers must build a plan that works for you without losing money.
Still, with good planning and communication, it is possible to build a workable cleaning plan on a reduced budget.
With a complete site inspection and a clear analysis of what matters most, you can prioritize critical services without overspending.
With the right cleaning company, you can keep your facility maintained even with a tight budget.
By using smarter scheduling and focusing resources where they matter most, you can trim unimportant work without hurting the overall perception of service.
Experts Agree: Communication is Essential
The most common piece of relationship advice is also true in the cleaning industry: communication is key.
Here’s a simple example: office vacuuming.
If you tell occupants that vacuuming happens every Wednesday and Friday, you are less likely to get complaints on Tuesday.
In the same way, if you tell your cleaning company that Mondays are easier because of a meeting schedule, they can work more efficiently.
With details like this, you may reduce work to save money without reducing perceived quality.
As a Facility Manager, consulting with tenants and your cleaning company helps you get more value from what you pay for.
Have Realistic Expectations, But Don’t Settle
If you are having problems with service, your budget optimizations might not be enough. Or your current budget may simply not support your facility’s needs.
To get the most out of a tight budget, talk with your cleaning partner and set realistic expectations.
Smart cleaning isn’t a miracle. The goal is tactical decisions that minimize resources while maximizing results.
The right commercial cleaning company can help you get the most bang for your buck. But it is important to understand what is feasible within your budget.
CIMS and CIMS-GB Certified Companies are a Great Place to Look
Clear pricing matters. And building a strong cleaning plan on a reduced budget takes experience and innovation.
Not every office cleaning company has what it takes to keep your facility looking its best within budget.
A good place to start is ISSA’s CIMS and CIMS-GB certification. Tools like CIMS can help you make better choices about office cleaning services.
ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association) provides a rigorous certification that signals a company performs at a high level and is committed to customers.
An office cleaning service that meets these benchmarks is far more likely to properly service your facility on a tight budget.
