Office Cleaning Services: Options & Solutions

Despite all of the sweet talk and bribery, your office just isn't cleaning itself. While you could definitely take the time to dust all the fixtures, empty all of the trash and scrub the bathrooms, when would you have time to work? While we're all trying to pinch our pennies, hiring a commercial cleaning service is just a fact of life in the workplace. But, before you hire just anyone with a mop, here are some things you need to know:

Services

Commercial cleaning companies offer tons of services, many of which you may not need or want. It's important to determine what services will benefit your workspace to know exactly what you'll be willing to pay for. Here is a sample list of what most of these services offer:

• Restroom cleaning
• Disinfecting
• Trash collection, removal and recycle
• Sweeping, mopping and vacuuming
• Dusting
• Stair and elevator cleaning
• Cleaning of countertops, microwaves, sinks, toasters and refrigerators
• Vent cleaning
• Window washing and blind cleaning
• Cleaning of light fixtures
• Dusting of baseboards

You should be able to mix and match what you specifically want detailed in your office. Be sure to get a quote based on the services you need and not just a package they want to sell you.

Some Things to Consider

There are a number of things to consider when hiring a cleaning crew. Use the following as a guide to hiring the right service:

• References. There's nothing more important than gathering references for companies you're getting quotes from. They should be able to provide you with a pretty lengthy list of people and companies to contact. Look for some names that you recognize and don't be afraid to give them a call. If they confirm the company is reputable and the service is extraordinary, ask for the same crew that works on the business that referred you.
• Shop. You should always shop around before actually hiring a company. Get at least 3 quotes and base your decision on the best price and best service.
• What time of day will they clean? With a focus on saving energy these days, many companies are offering daytime cleaning to save energy and money. Keeping the lights on for the crew after everyone has left the office can be costly. In theory, hiring cleaners to work during the day would be cheaper; however, you'll have to weigh it against the productivity that may be lost due to the distraction of vacuums and product fumes.
• How often do you need them? Generally speaking, larger companies need to be tidied up more often simply because there are more people tracking in dirt, leaving garbage in trash cans and just making a mess. Determining how often your office needs to be cleaned will depend on the number of employees and the size of your space. You can always start with them coming weekly and schedule them more frequently as the business grows.
• Can you trust the crew? There's really no sure-fire way of determining whether a crew can be trusted other than giving them time. If you notice things disappearing around the office, you'll want to immediately report it to the cleaning service and start shopping for a new one.
• Find out about their supplies. In some cases, these services require you to provide the cleaning supplies and tools like mops and brooms. If you have an abundance of bleach, old dish rags and some Pledge, go for it. Otherwise, you'll want to hire someone who is fully stocked themselves.

While you may be feeling some trepidation about shelling out the extra cash to keep your office clean, your peace of mind will more than compensate. You simply can't afford to have a less than well-kept office, so be sure to keep an eye on the baseboards and other out of the way places to make sure the cleaning service is living up to their end of the deal. Don't be afraid to call and complain if they get lazy as things are usually straightened out quickly when you do.