What We Hear From Facility Managers Just Like You
We talk to Facility Managers day in and day out — it is, after all, part of our job.
The thing we hear over and over again is how Facility Managers are working with tighter janitorial budgets and overall belt tightening, and as such, need to hold costs steady or even reduce them.
This is not ideal, but it is sometimes simply an unavoidable part of doing business.
Facility Managers must be careful how and where they allot their dollars — and no Facility Manager wants to meet budgets at the expense of having a well-maintained building.
Angry phone calls and inboxes filled with complaints are not scenarios anyone wants.
So what are you to do if you are trying to manage getting your facility properly cleaned AND keeping costs down?
If you are working with a reduced or suboptimal janitorial budget, WHO cleans your facility is even more important.
The best janitorial companies have responded to economic uncertainty, budget cuts, increased minimum wage and healthcare requirements with creative solutions and high-tech cost-cutting measures — from machines that clean faster and better to efficiencies like team cleaning.
The best cleaning services do not always have to cost more. In fact, the best janitorial services can help you maximize your budget and deliver services that lighten your load and avoid complaints.
Finding A Janitorial Services Company That Is Ready, Willing & Able
Reduced budgets require an A team — not the B, C or D team.
There are many janitorial companies, but only a few are truly poised to do more with less and maintain your facility well.
The janitorial marketplace is crowded, and while competition benefits you, it also makes it harder to identify the right provider for YOUR building.
Often Facility Managers assume that because their budgets are reduced, they must settle for poor service.
With reduced budgets you might not get everything you want, but the right janitorial company will make sure you get everything you need.
When looking for your next janitorial provider, get a sense of the size and types of facilities they already service to avoid those not equipped to meet your standards.
Transparent Pricing Is Key
The only thing worse than getting less than what you need from your janitorial services is paying too much for it.
Clear, transparent pricing helps you find the best value and creates a roadmap for holding your cleaning company accountable.
Cloudy pricing and fuzzy math indicate a company that either doesn’t know how to price properly or is intentionally vague so they can charge more later.
Your janitorial service must take the time to understand your building, conduct a site visit and accurately interpret your cleaning needs.
If they cannot exhibit good planning and process BEFORE they get your business, what are the chances service will improve AFTER they already have a contract?
Whatever the reason behind unclear pricing, it will sabotage your carefully planned budget.
Cheap Cleaning Bids Are A Giant Red Flag
While enticing, very low cleaning bids in response to your RFP are a major warning sign.
Think about it — how can a janitorial company do the same work for so much less?
Extremely low bids usually mean one of two things:
• They will do much less than you need.
• They will add hidden costs later.
Too-good-to-be-true pricing can also signal illegal hiring or an inexperienced company using your facility as a training site.
Low bids may solve your budget puzzle temporarily, but they will absolutely create long-term problems — often at a far higher cost.
Too Good To Be True Pricing Points To Illegal Hiring Practices
Bids significantly lower than the others can indicate illegal hiring.
Two major issues plague the janitorial industry:
1. Hiring undocumented workers — individuals off payroll or without verified identification.
2. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid payroll taxes, insurance, benefits and legal obligations.
Any company willing to risk breaking employment laws is certainly willing to put YOU at risk.
It is not worth the liability.
Sure Price Is Important But Value Is KEY
As a Facility Manager, you must find the best janitorial provider and stay within budget.
Low prices are tempting, but remember: Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.
A company that does poor work is not a good value at ANY price.
And a higher price does NOT automatically mean higher value either.
Your goal is acceptable facility maintenance at a price that aligns with your targets.
Where service and price intersect — that’s where the best value lives.
There are reliable signs that a janitorial company truly understands value and service, especially those that prioritize value-driven cleaning.
The Best Janitorial Companies Know How To Make The Most Of Your Budget
It takes a capable, well-resourced janitorial company to do more with less.
If you are requesting a janitorial RFP with a reduced budget, you need a BETTER company — not a cheaper, inexperienced one.
The best companies are experienced and efficient, allowing them to reduce costs through expertise, processes and technology.
They understand where you CAN reduce cleaning frequencies and where you absolutely CANNOT, something only experience teaches.
They also have extensive experience working with customers who have suboptimal budgets.
Top-tier cleaning companies understand Smart Cleaning and Team Cleaning and invest in tools and systems that save labor hours — the single largest component of janitorial cost.
The best providers operate efficiently so they can be cost-competitive while still delivering consistent quality and earning a fair profit.
