5 Common Mistakes Businesses Make When Choosing a Commercial Cleaning Service

Have you ever walked into a business suite and felt utterly transfixed by the fresh, clean environment? A working space that is sparkling clean radiates vibrant energy. In fact, a well-maintained commercial establishment can make a lasting impression on your clients, boost employee morale, and indirectly increase your business productivity.

So, hiring commercial cleaning services is an investment in the prosperity of your business. Yet, choosing the right company for this task isn’t as simple as it sounds. You might have found yourself swaying between multiple options while wanting to get the best bang for your buck. And trust us; you’re not alone. Many businesses often make common but preventable mistakes when choosing a commercial cleaning service.

Our goal is to guide you through these pitfalls so your business can find efficient commercial cleaning in Greenville, SC. We’ll also provide tips and tricks to help you select the best commercial cleaning service provider.

Lack of Research and Evaluation

Choosing a commercial cleaning service is not something you ought to do on a whim. A hasty decision could lead to inefficiency and extra work. In the worst case, it can even lead to chronic issues in your building, such as mold or musty air.

We frequently find that businesses give in to the charm of the very first agency they come across and forget to look further. But careful research and evaluation are at the heart of procuring reliable, high-quality services.

The human mind is prone to bias. We often fall for the sophisticated ads we see on our social media feeds or count on recommendations from people in our network without doing a comprehensive evaluation. Instead your choice warrants a substantial amount of research and careful assessment of various elements.

Pro Tips for Research

As a busy professional, we understand you might not have the time to do this in-depth research. However, a few steps can help you narrow down your options and ensure that you make an informed decision.

• Look out for companies with an impressive track record. Use Google or Yelp to check their online reviews or request client referrals.
• Try contacting multiple commercial cleaner services. This will give you a broader spectrum to choose from. Find those in your area that have been around for a few years.
• Understand each company’s experience, certifications, insurance, and whether they handle emergency requests.
• Test their customer service and response time by calling or emailing them.

Unclear Cleaning Needs and Requirements

If you think commercial cleaning is about four walls and a sweep, think again! Every business has unique cleaning needs. Whether it’s floor maintenance for your busy restaurant or sanitation for your medical clinic to ensure patient safety, having a clear understanding of what you expect from the service goes a long way in ensuring you get exactly that.

But often, businesses avoid diving deep into their requirements. It might feel like just another task on top of your already heavy load. This negligence can bottom out as poor service quality, which impacts everyone within your workspace.

A sweeping general contract might lack effectiveness in areas that demand specific attention. Wondering why those wear and tear signs are visible on the floor despite regular clean-ups? Perhaps because specialized floor maintenance wasn’t part of the deal. Or maybe your commercial cleaner is skipping tasks.

Communication is the keyword here. Explain your requirements, such as areas needing more attention or special cleaning related to allergens or medical spaces. Then, assess if the cleaners have the necessary skill set to meet them.

Examples of Cleaning Services in 

Let’s take a moment to clarify common Greenville, SC commercial cleaning services you may need beyond the broad-spectrum daily clean-up:

• COVID Disinfection: In this new pandemic era, maintaining sterile office space can save lives.
• Medical Cleaning: If you’re running an operational health facility, abiding by stringent health regulations is crucial.
• Commercial Janitorial: From emptying waste baskets to window cleaning, it covers everything to keep your workplace appealing.
• Floor Maintenance: Hardwood flooring or expensive tiles need dedicated care with specific tools for longevity.
• Restroom Sanitation: Essential to combat odor issues and bacteria build-up.
• Steam Cleaning: Perfect for maintaining carpets and upholstery that accumulate dust mites over time.

Focusing Solely on Price

Ever caught sight of a catchy, super-low price tag, only to realize later the product didn’t meet your expectations? This common scenario applies to hiring cleaning services as well. A recurring mistake is primarily focusing on the cost rather than what’s inside the package. Sure, everyone wants the best deal possible, and it’s only logical for businesses to try and cut costs to fit the budget. But remember, you get what you pay for.

Choosing a commercial cleaning service solely based on how light it is on your pocket could mean compromising on crucial factors like quality, dependability, and thoroughness of service. It’s imperative to consider both the cost and value provided by the cleaning service.

Simply put: Don’t let the sticker price blind you from ensuring you receive value for every dime spent. At the end of the day, you may end up paying extra if a cheaper service does a substandard job.

Evaluating Value Accurately

In essence, it’s not just about paying less; it’s about paying smartly. So how can one ensure they get true value from commercial cleaning in SC? Here’s your guide:

• Evaluate objectively: Understand exactly what services are included in the quoted price.
• Go over contract details: Make sure there aren’t any hidden fees or charges that may crop up later.
• Ask about equipment quality: High-end machinery often implies better cleaning efficiency.
• Negotiate where necessary: If a quote surpasses your budget but offers excellent service standards, try discussing a mutually favorable deal.

Recognizing Red Flags in Pricing

Watch out for red flags that might indicate potential concerns with your service provider. These warning signs could range from unclear pricing structures to hidden costs that only come to light after you’ve signed on the dotted line.

Avoid companies that fail or hesitate to provide transparent quotes or don’t clearly outline their services. A company confident in its offerings will have a concise description of prices associated with each undertaking.

Furthermore, challenge providers who charge extra for essential services in their initial quote. In an era when cleanliness is not just about looking good but about ensuring the safety of employees and customers, such services should be part and parcel of any reliable cleaning company.

Not Inquiring About Cleaning Processes and Products

We’ve heard many stories of companies changing cleaning services because employees complained of a strong, lingering chemical smell that caused headaches. Others were amazed when they found that cleaning didn’t seem to reduce the rate of sick staff members. They found out the cleaning agency was not disinfecting surfaces. 

That’s the importance of inquiring about cleaning processes and products. While these scenarios may sound far-fetched, sadly, they are more commonplace than you might think. As a client, you have a right to know about cleaning products that will be used, procedures to be followed, and the frequency of deep cleanings.

Once you have shortlisted a list of potential providers, make sure that they use appropriate products with full MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) to ensure the safety of building occupants. Additionally, be aware that companies often cut costs by using cheaper detergents or diluted solutions, which could reduce the effectiveness of the cleaning and put your building at risk.

Understanding what’s in the toolbox of your service provider carries significant weight. Commercial janitorial services happen behind the scenes – they’re processes we don’t observe directly. This leaves a loop where miscommunications can occur if in-depth discussions about methods and materials don’t happen ahead of time.

Not asking can lead to scenarios like not using eco-friendly products where required or employing procedures that could potentially harm office fixtures.

Which Common Processes and Products Should You Know About?

One critical element businesses need to understand is whether their prospective cleaners use eco-friendly or green-certified products for tasks such as restroom sanitation or floor maintenance. These practices ensure minimal environmental impact while also offering superior-quality cleaning.

Ask about high-touch area disinfection processes, which are essential to prevent disease spread in communal areas like meeting rooms or kitchens. Also, verify if steam cleaning for carpets is available. This process removes stubborn grime without damaging material fibers. It’s an excellent way to prolong carpet lifespan while ensuring a clean, fresh workspace.

Neglecting Employee Training and Background Checks

It almost goes without saying that the most effective cleaning can only be assured by expertly trained cleaners. As such, they should be trustworthy and thoroughly background-checked. Yet many companies, in their hurry to hire a commercial cleaning service provider, overlook this foundational aspect.

Believe it or not, simple activities like dusting office desks or cleaning restroom surfaces can genuinely benefit from personnel trained in best practices. Specialized tasks such as floor maintenance or steam cleaning require an elevated level of expertise. One which is only achieved through professional training.

More so, background checks become even more important for cleaners who work after hours. Remember that these people will have access to your workspace even in your absence. You want to feel secure knowing the company has performed thorough due diligence on its staff.

Probing Into the Right Things

To ensure you’re enlisting a reliable and skilled cleaning service team, consider these points:

• Check if the company trains its employees for various cleaning tasks. They must know how to handle specialized equipment, utilize specific techniques for different surfaces, and follow safety regulations.
• Ask about their employee hiring process. Reputable commercial cleaners should conduct thorough background checks on all employees.
• Inquire about their employee retention rate. High turnover could indicate poor management and potentially inconsistent service quality.

Why Choose Summit Janitorial

Having walked through the common pitfalls of choosing a commercial cleaning service, let’s explore why Summit Janitorial could be the partner you’ve been looking for.

At Summit Janitorial, we have a meticulous hiring process. It ensures our clients receive nothing short of superior performance. Every team member undergoes rigorous training to handle all commercial cleaning tasks proficiently. We maintain uncompromising standards in maintaining sanitized and well-cleaned business environments.

Premium Services

Our commercial cleaning in Greenville, SC, caters to all kinds of businesses, big or small. Attention to detail is our forte, meaning you can rest assured knowing that your commercial space will remain spotless. Our services include one-time cleaning and regular janitorial service.

The motto at Summit Janitorial is “We don’t cut corners; we clean them.” We take our job seriously and strive to provide the highest quality of service for your business.

Cutting-Edge Methods

More than just an engaged and experienced staff, we pride ourselves on employing advanced technology in our cleaning operations. From using high-efficiency vacuum cleaners to commercial steamers, we guarantee a qualitative difference in the cleanliness and freshness of your workspace.

These tools allow us to tackle germs, dirt, and other unwanted agents efficiently. They also ensure consistency in service quality with every cleaning appointment.

Personalization

Our bouquet of services is not just a one-size-fits-all but is adaptable to meet client-specific needs. We understand that our customers come from diverse industries. And each has distinct requirements and expectations from their commercial cleaning service provider.

We want to be more than just your cleaning team. We aim to be partners who support you in maintaining a workspace that breathes positivity, increases productivity, and draws customer appreciation. It’s not just about meeting standards; it’s all about setting them.

Get a Quote Today

Well-maintained office premises can make a huge difference in aesthetics, productivity, and employee morale. But the process of hiring cleaning services might be fraught with more traps than you initially imagined. Armed with insights from this guide, negotiating these pitfalls should be manageable. Remember that informed decision-making will significantly improve the odds of finding a high-quality commercial cleaning service.

At Summit Janitorial, we work hard to avoid all these common mistakes and provide an effective solution meeting all your commercial cleaning needs. The power is in your hands now. Choose wisely; choose well.

Contact us for a free quote.