1. Will you walk the building?
A price without a walkthrough is a guess. Good companies want to see the restrooms, floors and access.
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How to choose a
commercial cleaning company.
Pick the company that will walk your building, write down every room and how often it's cleaned, and show you proof after each visit. Then check insurance, who the cleaners are, and how easy it is to leave if they miss.
Here are the ten questions that separate them, and the answers you want to hear.
Ten questions to ask
2. Can I see the scope in writing?
Every room, every task, every frequency. “As needed” is not a frequency.
3. Who will clean, and is it the same crew?
Ask whether the cleaners are employees or subcontractors, and whether the same people come every visit.
4. Are you insured and bonded?
Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you, workers' compensation, and a janitorial bond.
5. How do I know the work was done?
Look for a visit record or checklist, not just an invoice.
6. Who do I call when something's missed?
One named person who answers, and a time by which it gets fixed.
7. Do you have commercial experience with buildings like mine?
Medical, childcare, warehouses and gyms each need specific products and steps.
8. What's included and what's extra?
Consumables, interior glass, floor machine work, holidays.
9. How long is the contract?
Month to month, or a short first term with easy notice, means the company has to keep earning it.
10. How soon can you start?
A week or two after an approved scope is normal for recurring service.
Red flags
Pricing per hour per cleaner with no task list. A national call center that promises a manager will call back. Residential words for a commercial building: “in-home estimate”, “our girls”, “tub and shower”. No certificate of insurance until after you sign. A long contract with an automatic renewal.
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What we clean
Related questions
Should a commercial cleaning company be bonded?
Yes. A janitorial bond covers theft by the company's employees. Ask for it along with general liability insurance and workers' compensation before anyone gets keys or an alarm code.