Even if your commercial cleaning service is doing a good job, periodic evaluation and renegotiation of your cleaning services contract is the best way to ensure that you are getting great value for your business. When you set up your commercial cleaning services contract, you may have committed for a set period of time, such as one or two years. In the cleaning industry, technology and best practices can change with time, so you want to make sure that you are receiving the best techniques for cleaning to meet the health and safety demands of modern business.
Commercial Cleaning Business Checklist
Your evaluation should center around the answers to some important questions in several areas:
- Performance. Does the commercial cleaning company come when scheduled, with the proper number of people to do the job?
- Satisfaction. Are the areas contracted for clean and tidy? Are there areas where performance falls below your expectations?
- Green cleaning techniques. Does the company incorporate green cleaning techniques that use the least hazardous and safest cleaning products? Do they have systems in place to not cross contaminate areas they clean?
- Accountability. Does the company have quality systems in place to verify that scheduled work is performed to spec and that employees are doing their jobs?
- Service. If you have a complaint or concern, how does the company respond? If you need emergency service, are they available?
- Customer service. Are you able to reach customer service personnel any time through a variety of media (phone, email, online chat) and receive a prompt, helpful response?
- Meet your needs. If your business has expanded or has acquired new equipment since you signed your contract, your needs for service frequency or specialized cleaning may have escalated.
- Need for other services. Many versatile commercial cleaning companies can provide services for both the inside and outside of your building. Do you need other services, such as window cleaning, parking lot cleaning, and steam cleaning of carpets included in your contract?
- Price. Do you get the value you expected for the price you pay?
Renegotiating Price With Commercial Cleaning Companies
When you think about renegotiating a commercial cleaning services contract, you may be hopeful of getting a reduced price. However, it’s important to remember that companies set rates based on their cost of doing business plus some reasonable profit. Labor costs continue to rise, not only for wages, but for training, benefits, and supplies. Therefore, receiving a lower price for services you have been receiving usually means the company will cut back in some service areas, or you may decide to accept fewer cleaning days or reduce the tasks on the list to keep your budget intact.
Are you Receiving the Value You Expect?
In reevaluating your commercial cleaning service, the question to ask yourself is whether you got the value you expected for the price you paid. If your answer is “yes,” and you are happy with other aspects of performance, re-signing will maintain your relationship with a great company.
For good value and competent state-of-the-art commercial cleaning services, contact Bearcom Building Services for an evaluation and one of our commercial floor cleaning quotes.
