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Tuesday, July 21, 2015

By Steven Cho


Minimizing cost is one of the main reasons why companies opt to hire an external company for professional cleaning services. Many companies are able to save by hiring a custodial service provider on an outsourcing basis. Cleaning and maintenance companies can be of great help in maintaining business facilities such as schools, hospital, gyms, and multi-level offices. Big or small, they can multi-task as needed.

As a business owner and potential client, you want to obtain the best and most reasonable contract from a provider. You don't necessarily want the standard boiler plate version that may or may not apply. It is necessary to research first and do the math if, indeed, outsourcing is the best option.

As for recommendations right at the start. If you are operating a school, for example, get advice from other school owners if an outsourced service is a good choice for yours and why. Word of mouth can be your best evidence of a quality company.

One of the sources of cost savings from a custodial services provider is their ability to assemble special packages. It is a type of discount for multiple services or add-ons to existing work. Packages can include tedious tasks such as carpet cleaning and restoration services on top of the usual window cleaning. These tasks are not done often and usually require some expertise, which is rare for an in-house janitorial employee. It is beyond the scope of their normal work.

You know a good company from an ordinary one is when they ask for an inspection of your facility before giving you a quote. Companies who miss this step may not have been in the industry long enough. They apparently do not customize work for each client, a telltale sign of a cookie cutter business.

In an urban neighborhood, there is no shortage of custodial services providers as it is a thriving business. Get rates form each one of them. One tip to remember is that a good company will invite themselves to visit your business location before quoting a price for their services. This shows that they customize their work. Weed out those who will haphazardly give you a quote. They probably do standard work as well. You want a company that caters to your needs and does not do a cookie cutter job without consideration for your particular environment.,

As a business owner, you want the janitorial personnel's safety to be the least of your concerns. You want to know that they are insured in case of an accident, theft, or breakage and that there will be no question about claims. You want every cleaning staff to know how to handle chemicals and equipment and thus will not be injured by them. A good company trains each staff member to minimize problems, and yet they can happen. Make sure the company, and you, are prepared.

You also want to check with the company if all of the employees are covered by insurance. As a business owner, you want to have this peace of mind in the event of accidents, theft, or breakage.

You do not want to worry if the new janitor will ruin the carpet with chemicals or injure himself falling due to slick floor polish. In case of accidents, it would be good to know that the outsourced company will foot the bill and not your own insurance, thus raising the premium rates.

Ask if the company's phones are available 24/7 for emergencies. This is a good indication of the importance they give to customer service. Can you reach someone if there is a leak causing water damage, or a fire needing clean up. A business can own many properties that need to be taken care of during emergencies and a company that is always ready to do this will be fit for the job. It would be helpful if you get testimonials from the company. Call up their current and previous clients and ask specifically about the quality of the service and the reliability of the personnel. Their comments will prove helpful in decision-making all things being equal.

Referrals from the company will also be helpful in your decision-making. The service provider should give you a list of current clients willing to speak about them. Getting feedback from previous clients will add to a more holistic outlook. If you have narrowed down your choices to only two, choose the more experienced company. More experience means more covered services as well as more skilled workers. Most importantly, they will know what you need and deliver it before you need it.




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