INERTIA CAN BE THE BANE OF GETTING GREAT OFFICE CLEANING FOR YOUR FACILITY
Once something is established, it can be difficult to change it, even if it is no longer meeting your needs. Sometimes the hardest part is simply building the momentum to make a change. Even when your office cleaning services fall short, doing something requires more effort than doing nothing—so subpar cleaning, outdated practices and unresponsive service often continue far longer than they should.
There are many reasons your office cleaning may not be where it needs to be, but the good news is that there are practical steps you can take to get the level of cleaning your facility requires from a company capable of partnering with you long-term.
WHEN YOUR OFFICE CLEANING ISN’T ENOUGH TO MEET YOUR NEEDS
What worked once may no longer be enough. Many offices today simply do not have the cleaning manpower or hours required to meet the needs of their facilities. Underserved buildings are increasingly common.
According to David Sikes, President of the ISSA, “20 years ago, the average Class A office building had a worker density of approximately 225 square feet per employee. TODAY that number is closer to 150 square feet per worker.”
In a 500,000 square foot facility, that shift means occupancy has increased by roughly 50%. If your cleaning is still based on outdated occupancy or square footage assumptions, you are likely not receiving enough labor hours to maintain your facility properly.
A professional office cleaning company can perform a walk-through, identify what you actually need and tailor a plan to your budget. Many Facility Managers hesitate to make a change because they assume more labor hours automatically mean more cost. However, experienced professional office cleaning companies know how to maximize your cleaning budget and often deliver more value for the same or even less than what you are currently paying.
SOME OFFICE CLEANING COMPANIES ARE SKYROCKETING INTO THE FUTURE
You may see innovative office cleaning companies using modern products, updated equipment and advanced systems. You may assume this level of service is too costly—but that is often not the case.
Office cleaning companies, like all businesses, must find efficiencies and cut unnecessary costs to deliver value and remain profitable. Many industry innovations save time and money, allowing companies to provide better service at competitive prices.
Examples include:
- State-of-the-art floor cleaners that allow more area to be cleaned in fewer hours.
- Backpack vacuums that improve indoor air quality and increase productivity.
- Janitorial inspection apps that streamline communication and response times.
These tools enhance responsiveness, efficiency and service quality—making modern cleaning more accessible than many Facility Managers expect.
WHEN CONFUSING OFFICE CLEANING PRICES OBSCURE YOUR CHOICES
Office cleaning pricing can be confusing, but it shouldn’t be. Some companies play games with pricing, while others simply lack the experience to quote accurately. Either way, the Facility Manager loses.
You deserve to know exactly WHAT you are buying and exactly WHAT it will cost. Without this clarity, evaluating value becomes impossible. You also can’t compare bids meaningfully if each company describes and prices services differently.
Transparent pricing is essential. Clear pricing not only allows for proper comparison but also establishes the performance benchmark for your cleaning company.
THERE IS NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL IN COMMERCIAL OFFICE CLEANING SERVICES
Office cleaning companies vary widely—from one-person operations to small family businesses, larger local companies and national corporations. The best results come from choosing a provider that fits your facility’s size, needs and complexity.
If you run a small office, a smaller provider might be ideal. If you oversee a large building or multiple facilities, you need a company capable of delivering consistent, scalable service.
You may have simply outgrown your current cleaning vendor—making it time to reevaluate your needs.
A BETTER WAY TO CHANGE OFFICE CLEANING WITHOUT GETTING STUCK AGAIN
Changing office cleaning providers isn’t easy. It takes time to review proposals, conduct walk-throughs and evaluate companies. But effective cleaning can transform your work life, making the effort worthwhile.
A strong way to streamline your search is to prioritize companies with ISSA’s CIMS certification. This rigorous certification evaluates companies on the most important aspects of delivering quality cleaning services.
Starting with CIMS-certified companies helps you avoid vendors that lack the structure, systems or professionalism needed for reliable service.
Once you have a strong shortlist, you can review bids, conduct walk-throughs and choose the partner best aligned with your expectations.
