If you are running a business, one important thing you’ll need to think about is janitorial services or commercial cleaning services. A good cleaner will give you peace of mind and let you “set and forget” a schedule, so you don’t have to think about what they are doing.  

If you’re in an office building, you can start by asking the building manager about vendors. They may have companies they already work with or recommend. They may even require that you use a specific service. 

If the building doesn’t have recommendations, you can ask other tenants to see if they use services they like.   

When talking to a potential janitorial or cleaning service, make sure you understand what exactly is included and how the company charges. Do they charge by the hour or for a suite of services? Most companies will provide their own cleaning supplies, but you can ask how they handle requests for specific products. 

The cleaning service will likely suggest how often you should expect specific tasks to be completed. 

You might want certain “light cleaning” tasks to be done every day. This could include emptying trash, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, and cleaning bathrooms. 

Other tasks can be scheduled less frequently. This could include deep cleaning carpets, clearing old food from the refrigerator, and cleaning air ducts.  

Before you commit to a service, make sure they come to your space and do a walk-through. Get all the services they will be performing and the charges detailed in writing. You can also ask for references from other companies that have used their services. 

One big difference between hiring a cleaner for your home and a cleaner for your business is that you will likely need the cleaner for your business to come at night when you are closed. This means you must find a service you trust and be comfortable having them in your space without you there. Ask about this when you check references.  

Also, be sure to ask the company about their insurance and how they handle any damage or breakage that occurs while they are working. Read more tips on hiring a contractor. 

 

For more information

Read BBB’s 7 tips for hiring a cleaning service. 

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