Cleanliness, whether companies recognise it or not, is a big factor that affects the success of a business. When offices are clean and organised, workers can focus on their jobs, get sick less often and consequently improve productivity. Indeed, keeping your office clean is essential to achieving business success, but exactly how successful can depend upon the cleaning company that you hire.

Not all cleaning companies are the same. Some can make outrageous claims yet deliver very little, or demand outrageous prices for regular cleaning services. It’s important to find a cleaning company that delivers just what you need and what they promise at a price you can afford.

But how can you find such a cleaning company?

Ask Around

One of the best ways to find the ideal cleaning company for your business is to ask around and look around. Ask colleagues and search online for some of the leading cleaning companies in your area, and talk to each of these companies about their offerings and get a quote. A good company will ask to visit your premises to make an accurate quotation. Be wary of companies that have a flat quote and will just include additional expenses later, as these additions could go well beyond your budget.

Things you should ask about and cleaning companies should be able to provide:

• A comprehensive list of their services provided.
• Quoted price for all the services and cleaning supplies included. Remember, the cheapest isn’t always the best. Look for one that offers the best value for your money.
• Proof of insurance: because you don’t want to be held accountable for an injured cleaner.
• List of previous clients that you can contact for references.

Look into Each Company

Part of asking around of course is that you ask previous employers about their experience with the cleaning companies. How happy or satisfied were they of the service and what can they recommend? Also take a look at the history of each cleaning company if you can, and see if there were any issues with previous employers. If there are no issues and all other things being equal, it’s better to go for the more experienced cleaning company.

Another thing you should look into with each company: their cleaning supplies and training. A good cleaning company will use high quality commercial cleaning supplies and have training certifications for specialised cleaning services, when needed.

Inspect the Contract

Once you’ve selected a cleaner, make sure that you take a good look at their contract before signing. They might lock you in to a certain period of time, exclude certain services or have hidden charges. For your security, opt for a cleaner that offers a trial period or a monthly contract, rather than an annual one.

One last tip when choosing a cleaning company: take your time. It may involve several meetings, enquiries and interviews, but in the end it’ll be worth it.