Hiring commercial cleaning services can be a very exciting decision. After all, everyone loves the chance to neutralize the stressors in their life, right? And yet, it’s not as straightforward as googling “cleaning service hiring near me” and going with the first option you see.
The truth is that some providers are a lot better than others. In this guide, we take a look at hiring commercial cleaning company tips that can help ensure you have a stress-free experience.
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Cleaning Service:
Below, you will find seven mistakes that people often make while hiring a cleaning service. Read on!
1. You Didn’t Vet Them
It can be easy to limit your research to a quick Google search. The first company that comes up is probably the best, right? Wrong. They might be great at commercial cleaning but not so great at residential cleaning. Or, they might just show up first on Google because they have a great marketing campaign.
Whatever the case, you can’t learn everything from an internet search. If you really want to learn how a company operates, talk to people that use them. If you don’t know anyone who has used a commercial cleaning company you are interested in, there is nothing wrong with asking for references.
2. You Put Too Much Stock in Online Reviews
Online reviews can be a solid way of getting a quick idea of how a business operates. Emphasis on the word “quick.” What you are really looking at when you read these reviews is a fast snapshot of how one customer felt after one experience.
They are extremely subjective and can be influenced as much by the mood the reviewer was in as they are by the actual quality of the service. This is not to say that you should completely disregard online reviews when hiring a cleaning service.
On the contrary, they are a great way to begin your research. Just make sure it doesn’t end there.
3. They Aren’t Insured
A lot of cleaning businesses have a “mom-and-pop” sort of vibe. And that is great! Small businesses are the backbone of any community. But sometimes cleaning businesses can get so small that the person or people operating them cut a few important corners.
Namely? Insurance. While you may be tempted to use the friendly couple from down the street who are trying to make a little extra money cleaning houses, there are reasons not to. If they are not properly registered, licensed, and insured, it could mean trouble for them, and you.
At the very least, you need to make sure that the cleaning company you hire has adequate insurance so that everyone is covered if something unfortunate happens in your house.
Insured businesses will usually cost more because they have a higher overhead. However, the cost is very clearly worth it.
4. They Aren’t a Good Fit for Your Home or Business
It’s important that you go into this process with a very clear idea of how you want your home and/or business cared for. You also need to be able to communicate these desires to the businesses that you are considering hiring. Why?
Mainly because even though all commercial cleaning services are clean, they don’t all do it in the same way. Servicing packages can vary pretty substantially. When hiring a cleaning service, make sure that the company is completely capable of giving you exactly what you want.
5. You Don’t Get Guarantees
Many of the best cleaning companies offer very clear guarantees that are designed with customer satisfaction in mind. For example, they may allow customers penalty-free contract cancellations if things are not to their satisfaction.
They may also make replacement guarantees if something is broken in your home. You may not want to think about worst-case scenario situations when hiring a cleaning company, but it can make a major difference in the long run.
6. You Don’t Ask About Supplies
Businesses may have very different policies regarding cleaning supplies. While many businesses will bring their own supplies, some will require you to furnish them. Even if supplies are covered in the cost of the service fee, you may still want to know what products they are introducing into your home.
For example, many cleaning chemicals have been associated with very serious injuries and illnesses. These injuries are most often experienced by children and pets, so you must know what is going into your home if you have vulnerable residents.
Other products may simply be very bad for the environment. If you try to keep your lifestyle green, it may be a good idea to align yourself with a cleaning company that feels the same way.
7. You Don’t Read the Terms of Service
Most cleaning businesses will be very straightforward about their terms of service, as well as their overall practices. However, there will occasionally be surprise fees that you need to look out for. For example, many companies might have a cancellation fee should you have to miss an appointment.
There is actually a good reason for this: they still need to pay wages even if you miss the appointment. However, if you know about the fee going in, you can make more strategic scheduling decisions on the front end. Hiring a cleaning service that can accommodate your lifestyle is just as important as choosing one that has the right credentials.
Hiring Cleaning Company: Conclusion
It’s a lot to consider huh? Hiring a cleaning service can be tough but putting in a little extra legwork on the front end can make a big difference in the long run. Keep in mind that the relationship you have with your commercial cleaning service can get very intimate.
Not only will strangers be in your house regularly, but they will be touching your things and cleaning up after your family. Total trust is a key aspect of the relationship, and it can only happen if you do your research. So take the time to read up and hire a cleaning service that you can count on!
