In this janitorial services for office cleaning article we explore from the Harvard Business Review, businesses lose around $150 to $250 billion from sick employees. Meaning if you as a business owner aren’t promoting a safe and healthy work environment, it can cost you quite a bit.

It doesn’t just stop with promoting a healthy environment though. You’ll want to make sure your offices are clean, to reduce the chances of workplace illnesses. Having professional janitorial services can help you keep your employees healthy and productive.

Which is what we are to talk about today. Janitorial services for your office cleaning needs and everything you need to know. Let’s take a look!

What are Janitorial Services?

Janitorial services, in short, help to maintain the cleanliness and organization of your office. They are a type of commercial cleaning for offices and similar workplace environments.

Their tasks will typically things such as:

• Cleaning bathrooms
• Dusting interior windows
• Vacuuming
• Sweeping floors
• Washing & shampooing carpets
• Organizing closets & cubicles
• And much more

The scope of their work will vary depending on the type of building and business though. For example, a school wouldn’t necessarily need the same type of cleaning as a medical facility.

These jobs can include anything from maintaining organization to deep-cleaning specific areas. Many janitorial companies will specialize in certain types of office cleaning too, be it hospitals or schools or another similar industry.

Typically you’ll want to look for commercial janitorial services that have past work in your specific industry.

The Difference Between Janitorial Services & Cleaning Services

When you start searching for janitorial services to hire, you might see the term “cleaning service”. Many people assume right away that they are one and the same.

A cleaning service is however something quite different than a janitorial service:

Cleaning services don’t perform routine commercial cleaning tasks as janitors’ services do. These types of businesses focus solely on one-time deep-cleaning business and removing dirt and debris; they will not be performing your typical office cleanings on a regular basis (which is what you need for office space).

The main difference:

• Cleaning services are for one-time deep cleaning of a home or building
• Janitorial services are regular cleaning and maintenance on a set schedule to keep your business clean and organized

Since the two are so similar they are easy to intertwine or get confused about. It’s important to know that some companies may offer both or one or the other. It’s important to ask a company right off the bat at what type of cleaning services they provide.

If you’re looking for heavy furniture to be moved or the outside of your office building to get power washed, you’ll want to look towards cleaning services.

The Duties of Janitorial Services

A janitorial service will typically perform a wide variety of tasks which depend on the type of business and what areas they are assigned to. A few examples include:

• Emptying trash cans
• Sweeping floors
• Mopping tile or linoleum flooring
• Cleaning windows inside and out
• Vacuuming carpets
• Cleaning the toilets
• Restocking bathroom supplies
• Replacing light bulbs
• Disinfecting employee areas that are frequently touched
• Cleaning & organizing cubicles

As you can see, there’s a huge variety of duties that a professional janitorial service performs during their work hours. And these duties might last anywhere from 30 minutes up to several hours each day depending on the specific needs of your business. The main goal for them is to keep your business clean and tidy.

Now that you have a good idea of what office cleaning services look like, let’s talk about what to look for when considering office cleaning companies.

Factors to Consider With Janitorial Services

When it comes to hiring a company, you always want to do your research. The last thing you’ll want to do is just type into Google “office cleaning near me” and go with the first option. Not all companies have the same work ethics and professional services, so here are a few things to consider with janitorial services.

Company Reputation

When looking for a janitorial service, it’s important to do your research. One of the best ways to get an idea of a company’s reputation is to look at their past work. You can also read reviews from others who have used their services. This will give you a good idea of the quality of service you can expect.

You can also learn a lot by taking a peek at their website. Look at their about page. Here you’ll find how long the company has been in business, their company values, and much more.

The Right Price

This goes without saying, when it comes to any type of services you need to make sure you find the right price. Before you even start looking at companies, you should have a general estimation of what you can spend. This can help you weed out a lot of time wasted on companies out of your price range.

When looking for an office cleaning company, make sure to get multiple quotes from different companies. Some janitorial services may charge per hour while others may be able to offer a flat rate over a longer period of time.

When talking about prices, they should be able to break it down by a few key points for you:

• Facility or building type
• The finishes that are in your office
• Your expectation for services
• The budget you have set
• The products you want to be used or that they use
• How frequently you’ll need their services

These are all things that are going to determine the final cost of their services.

Getting a quote will also help give you a better understanding of what you can expect in terms of prices and how much work it would take for them to clean your place of business every day or week.

What Makes Their Cleaning Special?

One thing that makes some janitorial companies stand out from the rest is their unique cleaning methods which have been developed by their team members who have years of experience.

Take a look at their website and make sure to read any information about the company’s philosophy on cleaning. This will give you a better idea of what type of methods they might use to clean your business.

For example, some companies may clean your office with all eco-friendly cleaning products. While others may be using toxic cleaning products that you don’t want in your office! You can also reach out via email or phone and ask them any questions regarding the type of cleaning process and products they’ll use for your office.

Lastly, just ask them upfront. What makes them special from all of the other local janitorial businesses.

Safety and Products

As we mentioned before, not all janitorial services for office cleaning are the same. One way to make sure your office is getting the best services possible is to find out what types of products they use. This will give you peace of mind that not only are they cleaning, but doing it safely as well.

Are they using products that could harm your employee’s health or ruin the materials in your office cubicles? Or are they using the best healthy and eco-friendly products?

It’s not just about the product either. You’ll want to work with a company that takes safety seriously in all aspects. This means setting up warning signs for slips, falls, or trips. As well as ensuring the highest level of indoor air quality.

Custom Services

Every business is different. You want to make sure you are working with a company that provides the type of cleaning services your office needs. Some janitorial services may offer everything from deep cleaning to basic daily maintenance.  Maybe your business only needs the regular weekly service for all cleaning tasks.

When you establish what it is that you need, find a company that fits your specific needs and expectations. Having a customized service is much better than someone offering one size fits all.

If there’s anything else specific to your office or business location, discuss them in detail beforehand so they can come prepared on their first visit. These potential issues could include security systems, time restrictions, access codes, etc…

Good Communication From the Company

One of the most important things you can get out of your janitorial services for office cleaning company is good communication. This means timely response times for any problems, but also receiving regular reports about what’s been cleaned and how it looked when they were finished.

This ensures that if anything wasn’t cleaned properly then their team members will know quickly so that it can be fixed. Having a lack of communication between you and the company can result in issues that you don’t want to deal with.

During the hiring process pay attention to their communication skills. Not only that, but ask them how often they’ll be in touch with you with reports. Research has shown that teams that are good at communication are 25% more productive.

It’s not just about them either though, you’ll want to communicate effectively with them as well. You can do that by:

• Clearing explaining and defining your goals
• Let them know the objectives for their team in your office spaces
• Talk about the most appropriate medium for communication
• Talk about who will be involved and be the point of contact
• When and often you should be in contact
• Listen to them as well to learn from their janitorial experience

If you take all of these into an interview with you, you’ll set yourself up for a successful relationship with the company you choose to work with. Effective communication has so many benefits for your company and the ones you want to work with.

Are They Professional?

The most important thing you can look out for during an interview is if they seem professional or not. We generally trust people that dress and speak well, which means if their appearance isn’t up to par then we may want to question their professionalism.

It’s not just about a uniform though, this extends to their entire office, which you’ll get a sense of during the interview. Their building should be clean and not have any clutter around it. This shows attention to detail and focuses on what’s important for them right now.

If they aren’t organized and clean at their own office, what does that say about the services that they offer?

Lastly, this means ensuring that all of their employees have been trained professionally. The cleaners may provide subpar work without adequate training. A company that invests in its employees is the company that you want to work with to ensure the best results.

Are They Using Technology?

You’ve probably already heard about how the commercial cleaning industry has adopted various technologies to ensure it gets the best results.

If you want to know if they are too, take a look at their website or social media pages. Do they have photos of what their janitorial services might look like? While this isn’t foolproof, it can help give them an indication of whether the company is using technology in some way.

Some companies provide clients with digital service portals that show schedules and allow customers to contact janitors directly. This enables customers to get more information on specific locations being cleaned so that they can be sure that everything is running smoothly. Not only does this improve communication between you and your office cleaner, but also ensures better results.

If you’re not currently working with a janitorial services company that uses technology, then don’t be afraid to ask them about it during an interview. Emerging tech has made the janitorial industry more effective, faster, easier, and cheaper.

Their Insurance

When considering working with a new janitorial service for office cleaning, you can’t forget about their insurance. Every business should be insured and janitorial services are no different.

Doing your research to find the right cleaning company, just ask them straight up about insurance. This will help ensure that they have the best coverage and that there won’t be any issues later down the road. .

For example, here at TC Services, we are fully insured as a company and for all of our team members. This ensures that if anything happens to a team member or customer then we’re covered and able to pay out any claims as necessary.

You’ll want to ask potential companies what types of insurance policies they offer so that you know exactly what their protection plan looks like before you hire them.

It’s not just about knowing if they are insured because you’ll want to know the limits of that insurance as well. Ask what types of damages their insurance will cover and if they offer supplemental liability coverage such as excess liability.

You deserve a commercial cleaning company that provides reliable services while protecting your property and surrounding area. Trust these tips when interviewing different janitorial services to help you find the right fit for you and protect yourself against any future problems or claims.

There are several different coverage types to look at:

• General Liability: This covers the business and protects the company from any general claims involving damage or bodily injuries
• Workers’ Comp Insurance: This covers all of your employees in case of lost wages or medical issues
• Auto Liability: This will cover all of the company vehicles in case of accidents, injuries, or property damage
• Umbrella Policy: This provides the company with additional coverage for any primary insurance policies

If the company isn’t covered with these, you may want to consider working with another.

Cost of Janitorial Services

A janitorial service costs can range anywhere from $0.015 to $0.25 per square foot of your office space depending on location, commercial cleaning rates, and other factors. If you are looking for a one-time deal, some places will charge by the hour, which will typically be around $30 to $40 per hour.

A cost of janitorial services that is too high shouldn’t necessarily be a deal-breaker though because there are some affordable options out there if you’re willing to shop around.

A good way to find the cheapest option is by looking at reviews for each company in addition to their prices so that you know exactly what they offer and who they are as a business before making any decisions.

Low commercial cleaning rates aren’t always indicative of quality though. Low commercial cleaning rates may mean lower quality services which increase the chances of future issues and damage to your property.

Typically you can expect to pay around $200 for a 2,000 square foot office from a good and reputable janitorial service. If you are seeing this same space going for around $80, this is a key indicator that they may be undercharging because of their lack of quality service.

Discounts

If you’re looking for a deal, one thing that you can do is ask if they offer any discounts. Many janitorial services offer discounts to new customers or when you schedule your cleaning in bulk (by the month or year).

You can also save money by opting for weekly commercial cleaning services. This typically results in lower prices per cleaning service and will be cheaper than opting for daily commercial cleaning services.

Also, check with them to see what types of packages they offer and if there’s a way that you can save more money throughout the course of your contract agreement. A company may charge $250 per visit, but after 12 visits, there might be a 10% discount which results in $22 dollars less.

Always ask to see what they have to offer!

The Process

People who are looking for janitorial services for office cleaning typically go through three general steps before signing an agreement.

The first step is contacting the company and arranging a meeting.   That way the provider can get to know you, your needs, and your building in order to provide a custom quote.

The second step is getting multiple quotes.   Get different providers in order to compare prices and find out which company suits your budget and cleaning needs best.

Lastly, a business owner will meet with the selected provider after deciding on a fair price to give them a tour of their facility so that they can see what kind of work they’ll be doing.

It’s important to understand what exactly is expected from one another in this agreement so they can have a successful relationship for the duration of their time together.

After that, it’s time to start cleaning.

On a regular basis, the cleaning crew will arrive at your location to pick up trash and debris which they will then put into proper receptacles before going over every inch of your office space.

They make sure that all of the furniture is dusted, polished, and spotless as well as all other objects within the space including appliances, light fixtures, desks, chairs… everything!

Afterward, they’ll mop any floors that need it before shining windows from top to bottom. The goal is to leave each room looking impeccable and business-ready for when you and your staff return.

After the first appointment, you can expect the company to reach out to talk about the services they provided. They’ll ensure that everything was satisfactory and if there are any needs adjustments for the service.

Start Your Day with a Clean Office

Hiring janitorial services for you office cleaning can be a great way to ensure that your office is always clean and presentable.  Contact different companies and get multiple quotes.  You may find the best deal possible while also ensuring that you’re working with a reputable business.

Not only will your office be clean, but it will help keep everyone healthy as well. Which helps to improve productivity for your company.

Meet with the company, be sure to discuss the services you’d like to receive as well as what is expectations of communication and quality.

This will help avoid any misunderstandings later on. The goal is for both parties to have a successful relationship from start to finish!

If you’re ready to get started with the best janitorial services in your area, contact us today!