Choosing the Right Janitorial Services Isn’t a No-Brainer
If choosing the right janitorial company were easy, every Facility Manager would be satisfied with their cleaning services. But talk to a handful of FMs and you’ll hear the opposite. The challenge comes from the sheer number of options—small mom-and-pop shops, mid-sized local companies, and massive national janitorial services. Too many choices make comparison hard, and size alone doesn’t guarantee quality.
Many Facility Managers assume a national janitorial company must be the safest bet because of its size. But is “big” actually better? And how do you choose the right partner in such a crowded marketplace?
So Many Types of Cleaning Companies — What’s Right for You?
The janitorial market includes everything from one-person operations to national brands with thousands of employees. When evaluating companies capable of handling larger accounts, Facility Managers typically compare:
- Small local janitorial companies
- Mid-to-large local Detroit janitorial companies
- National cleaning companies
Many assume they must go national to get adequate coverage. But size only matters to a point. What really determines whether a janitorial company will deliver is the strength of its systems, people, and processes.
Best practices—from hiring to inspections—directly impact the quality and consistency of your cleaning.
Technology helps reduce labor hours (the biggest driver of janitorial costs) and increases efficiency when companies invest in modern tools.
Individualized service separates great cleaning companies from average ones. Customization matters.
Responsiveness is critical. When issues arise, how fast and effectively a company reacts determines your real experience.
People are the heart of any service business. Screening, hiring, training, and managing staff properly is non-negotiable.
Safety & security rely on strong hiring practices—drug testing, background checks, employment verification, and consistent oversight.
Processes ensure scalable, reliable service. Without them, service collapses as a company grows.
Value matters more than price. A cheap quote is meaningless if the work is poor.
Green cleaning programs prove a company’s commitment to health, transparency, and sustainability.
CIMS-GB certification bundles all these factors into one clear indicator of professionalism and best practices—helping you quickly narrow your search to only the most capable companies.
What Are the Real Pros & Cons of a National Janitorial Company?
Now that we know what great janitorial service looks like, how do national providers compare to mid-sized or smaller local companies?
| Giant National Janitorial Service | Mid to Large Local Janitorial Service | Small Local Janitorial Company | |
| Best Practices & Processes | Likely to have formal systems, but subcontracting creates inconsistent execution. | Often strong systems; verification or CIMS certification is key. | Usually lacks infrastructure to support formal processes. |
| Buying Power | Large volume discounts—may or may not pass savings on. | Significant buying power; often used to stay competitive. | Little or no buying power. |
| Individualized Service & Responsiveness | Often slow, impersonal. Hard to reach decision-makers. | Best balance of personalization and scalability. | Personal but may be unable to meet larger facility needs. |
| Technology & Efficiency | May use modern tools, but upgrades across large fleets are slow. | Varies—must ask. Many use modern equipment to stay competitive. | Often outdated equipment due to budget limitations. |
| Safety & Security | Procedures exist but subcontracting creates risk. | Good screening likely, but needs verification. | Often cuts corners due to staffing challenges. |
| Staffing Flexibility | Depends on local presence; can be inconsistent. | Strong flexibility with trained local staff. | Limited; small teams can’t scale up or down easily. |
| Geographical Service Area | Nationwide—ideal for multi-site operations. | Regional coverage. | Very local only. |
| Labor & Employee Morale | Strong systems but weaker local culture and connection. | Often balanced—strong networks + local leadership. | Hiring struggles common; limited benefits. |
| Organizational Flexibility & Services | Wide service menu, but red tape slows adaptation. | Broad services + agility—best mix for customization. | Limited to basic cleaning. |
| Local Economic Impact | Minimal beyond employing local cleaners. | Strong community impact—local hiring and spending. | Also supports the local economy. |
| Where You Rank as a Customer | Low priority. Easily replaceable. | High priority—reputation depends on local service. | High priority but may struggle to deliver. |
| Value | Competitive pricing but real value varies widely. | Often the strongest value when paired with transparency. | Hard to compete without scale. |
Are There Benefits to Keeping Janitorial Services Local?
Regardless of size, every cleaning company must be evaluated on its people, systems, processes, responsiveness, and value. Great companies exist at every level—but all things being equal, local is often better.
With a local Detroit janitorial company, you know exactly who to call, who is accountable, and who is inside your building every day. They understand the local labor market, community, expectations, and culture. They rely on their reputation in one region—not dozens—so they work harder to keep your business.
Choose a local janitorial company that:
- is large enough to meet your needs
- follows best practices and proven systems
- screens, trains, and manages great people
- leverages technology for efficiency and cost control
- offers transparent pricing and real value
- treats you like a priority—not a number
Do that, and you'll get better, more reliable service every time.
