How to Know if It’s Time to Find a New Commercial Cleaning Service

Jose SilvaCommercial Cleaning

Most people could easily agree that businesses should make necessary efforts to keep the workplace clean. But is spending time and money on hiring and managing an in-house cleaning crew the best use of your resources? 

Many businesses today are outsourcing the task, and while it isn’t uncommon to hire the first company you find and assume there’s little difference between cleaning companies, there are good reasons not to be so hasty. 

Many businesses aren’t aware of the extent to which workplace cleanliness impacts employees, work quality, and company profits. Having a cleaning service isn’t enough. Not having a quality cleaning service that maintains high standards and meets your needs will cost you much more than just their service fee.

Let’s discuss the importance of office cleanliness, the ripple effects it has, and how your business is affected. Then, we’ll cover some red flags to look for that signal the need to rethink your current cleaning service—as well as what to look for in a new one.

The Value of a Good Commercial Cleaning Service

A clean work environment, or lack thereof, has a myriad of complex and interconnected effects on employees and business metrics. There are some obvious benefits like promoting a positive and professional image to your customers. However, there are also some less intuitive connections between a clean office and overall business success.

Lack of Cleanliness Leads to Clutter, and Clutter Kills Productivity

Businesses lose 1.8 billion dollars a year to a lack of productivity. While the quality of your cleaning service likely isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of productivity issues, it actually has a much larger impact than you’d expect.

A recent HubSpot survey on workplace productivity found that 27% of employees feel disorganized at work. When the office isn’t kept tidy, it’s harder to find what you need, things get lost, and time gets wasted looking for tools and information that aren’t where they should be.

Workers know exactly how much trouble and wasted time this causes. In fact, employees are so acutely aware of this that 91% say better office organization would increase effectiveness and efficiency.

When the office is kept clean, it puts employees in a better mental space and improves morale. A clean office can encourage employees to take pride in their workplace, incentivizing them to keep their own space tidy and well-organized. That’s just one of the ways cleanliness improves productivity and saves money.

The Physical and Mental Cost to Workers and Businesses

According to Harvard Business Review, an unclean or disorganized work environment affects employees in many ways that end up costing businesses money. For example, a lack of order lowers cognitive abilities and focus, leading to reduced productivity. That means it takes workers more time to complete tasks leading to less value per hour for the company.  

An inadequately cleaned workplace also has many subtle psychological effects. A lack of cleanliness in a person’s environment can cause problems over the long term like increased stress, less healthy eating choices, and poor sleep quality.

Related: Commercial Deep Cleaning Costs and What Goes into Them

A clean workspace also reduces the spread of germs and bacteria and eliminates dust and allergens, reducing sick days and promoting employee wellness. All of those factors are known to contribute to medical issues. Considering that employee health issues already cost businesses $190 billion in annual healthcare expenses, anything you can do to reduce them helps. 

As you can see, your business is affected in many ways by the cleanliness of your offices. With the right commercial cleaning service, you can rest assured that your commercial building is getting clean. This, in turn, helps employees work more efficiently while saving the company money and increasing profits.

Signs You Might Need a New Cleaning Service

Considering what a huge impact it has on your bottom line, it’s important to ensure that your cleaning service is producing high-quality results and meeting your needs. But what happens if you suspect your current cleaning company isn’t quite living up to that standard?

How can you tell if they’re doing the job well enough to ensure you get all the benefits of clean offices and avoid the costs of a poorly maintained workplace? We’ve compiled some signs that it may be time to find a new cleaning provider and what to look for in the ideal commercial cleaning service partner.

Sign #1: The Quality of Cleaning Doesn’t Meet Your Needs or Standards

It isn’t uncommon for businesses to go the extra mile when working with new clients. Over time, the quality of their work may level off or even continually decrease. It’s important to evaluate their work regularly to avoid this issue.

If you see a decline in workmanship, notice that certain tasks are no longer getting done regularly, or find that your cleaning team is cutting corners, it might be time to rethink your relationship with them. The faster you notice issues like these, the less time they’ll have to negatively impact your workplace.

Sign #2: Communication Leaves a Lot to Be Desired

Communication is the key to any good relationship, and the same is true in business. Consider how your current cleaning service communicates with you. Are they transparent about what services incur what costs? Do they let you know when to expect them and what will get done on which days?

What about your side of the relationship? Do you feel comfortable bringing up any issues, expressing your needs, and discussing your expectations with them? How do they respond when you do? Do they take criticism well? Do they make the necessary changes when you bring up problems?

This is all very important to getting the cleaning services you need and making sure things are done properly. If you don’t feel comfortable communicating with them or they fail to respond properly when you do so, it’s likely time to find a new cleaning service that prioritizes great communication.

Sign #3: The Price You Pay Doesn’t Match the Value You Receive

Another issue to consider is the price you’re paying. There’s no one-size-fits-all pricing that can be applied to every cleaning service. If you have a price in your mind that you think is fair across the board, you likely aren’t considering the balance between price and value.

The price should match the value being provided. A cleaning company that doesn’t provide many services and tends to cut corners might be the cheapest option. However, that likely comes with many drawbacks that may cause issues later on. As detailed in a report by ISSA, cutting your cleaning budget could end up costing more than it saves.   

Think of the services your current cleaning company is delivering. Do you feel the price you’re paying is fair given the value they’re providing? Have prices gone up without seeing an equal increase in that value or having a clear explanation for the increase?

If so, it may be time to switch to a cleaning service that brings you more value. A transparent, reputable service will come out and give you a price based on your specific needs.

Sign #4: A Gap Between Services Received and Services Required to Meet Your Needs and Expectations

Last but not least, think about the range of options your cleaning service offers. What services do they specialize in? Do these services meet all your needs, or are there some services they don’t provide that you would benefit from adding? This can include specialty services like power washing, exterior cleaning and landscape services, and specialty floor cleaning services.

Don’t just take the cleaning services themselves into account. Factor in things like customer service and convenience. Is it easy to contact them? Is the staff helpful and friendly? Do they provide quick answers and solutions?

Related: What Are Specialty Cleaning Services (And How Do You Find the Right Company)?

What about when you need to schedule a specialty service not typically included in a routine cleaning, like stain removal or carpet cleaning? Do they make it easy to book a time that’s convenient for you? Do you have to wait weeks for someone to come? Do they show up when they say they will?

All of these factors are important. The little things often make all the difference. You don’t want to have trouble getting answers or services when you need them most. If they don’t provide the services that you need or a positive experience that meets your expectations, it may be time to seek out a cleaning company that can.

What to Look for in a New Commercial Cleaning Company

When looking for a new commercial cleaning service that fits better with your needs and expectations, you’ll want to make sure they check all the boxes. Contact them to discuss the services they provide and make sure their list matches your needs and expectations well. This is also a good time to discuss the price and make sure it’s fair for what they’re offering. 

It’s important to ask questions about their cleaning schedule for regular maintenance and special services to understand how the process works and ensure they’ll be available when you need them within a reasonable amount of time. 

It also helps to ask about their turnover rate and find out if the same team will always be working with you or if it’s common to have new people regularly. Knowing the staff that does your cleaning can help you feel more comfortable, help them learn your preferences, and make for a better dynamic.  

These interactions should give you an idea of how easy it is to get in touch with them and evaluate their communication and customer service quality. When you find a cleaning service provider that hits every one of these points to your satisfaction, that’s how you’ll know you’ve found your new cleaning partner.  

Upgrade to a Commercial Cleaning Partner Whose Services Not Only Meet but Exceed Your Expectations

Cleaning services can have a huge impact on your business. Especially with COVID thought to be entering the endemic phase to stick around long-term, proper cleaning and sanitizing can be crucial to keeping a safe and healthy work environment. The effects of a clean workplace on productivity also can’t be overstated.

If your current cleaning service isn’t meeting your needs and you’re considering a switch, look no further than DTK Facility Services. A Houston-based firm with 500 locations across four states and over two decades of experience, you can trust our expert force of fully trained employees to get the job done right.

If you need a commercial cleaning partner with a high standard of excellence that can provide your business with superior commercial cleaning services, then DTK is the perfect choice for you. Contact us for a custom quote to get started.