Switching cleaning companies is a hassle, so it pays to choose the right one the first time. Whether you manage an office, a clinic, a manufacturing plant or a multi-tenant building in Minneapolis, St. Paul or the surrounding suburbs, the questions below will help you separate a reliable janitorial partner from a company that looks good on paper and disappears after the first month.
Many cleaning companies subcontract the actual work. That can mean high turnover, inconsistent training and less accountability when something goes wrong. Ask directly who will be in your building, who employs them and how they are trained. Employee-based crews tend to be more consistent because the company has invested in them and they are much more hands-on when it comes to quality control.
You should know exactly who to call when something is missed, and that person should know your building. Ask how quickly they respond to issues and whether you will have a dedicated account manager or a general phone line.
Good companies inspect their own work. Ask how often supervisors walk your facility, whether they use inspection checklists and how results are shared with you. If the answer is "you'll let us know if something's wrong," keep looking. This is where technology can be a great differentiator in cleaning companies. The companies utilizing technology for their inspections can do them more frequently and likely share them much easier than pen and paper.
A detailed scope lists every task and how often it happens: daily, weekly, monthly and periodic. It protects both sides and removes guesswork. Vague proposals that just say "general cleaning" lead to vague results. This is how you should define success with a janitorial company and ensure you are getting what you pay for.
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation coverage. Your facility should never carry the risk if a cleaner is injured or property is damaged.
An office, a medical clinic and a production floor have very different needs. Ask for examples of similar facilities the company cleans and how they handle the specific challenges of your space, from infection prevention in healthcare settings to industrial floors and locker rooms.
Sick days and vacations happen. A professional company has backup staff who are trained on your building so service doesn't slip. At Legacy Cleaning, we have floaters, supervisors and managers that are all responsible for filling in to ensure our clients never have a clean missed.
Working with one provider for floor care, carpet extraction, window cleaning and day porter service means fewer vendors to manage and one standard of quality across your facility.
Find out whether paper products, soap and liners are included or billed separately, and who tracks inventory. A supply management program can take one more task off your plate. Your janitorial company should handle all cleaning equipment, chemicals, mops, microfiber cloths, uniforms, and anything directly related to the cleaning.
Make sure the company has crews and management close to your facility, not just a willingness to drive there. Legacy Cleaning serves the Twin Cities, Mankato and St. Cloud with local teams in each market.
The right cleaning company should make your job easier: clear expectations, consistent results and fast follow-up when something needs attention. Legacy Cleaning is a locally owned Minnesota company built around exactly that. Request a free walkthrough and we'll build a custom cleaning plan for your facility.