With 66,420 cleaning companies in the UK alone, finding the right company is overwhelming. There is however a reliable checklist to run through. In this article, we speak to office cleaning experts Serna and help to demystify exactly how to select the right cleaning company for you.
Specialized Skills, Equipment & Training
Whilst cleaning may seem universal, not all jobs are the same. Some will require highly specialized workers. For this type of work it’s important to seek a company that has highly trained individuals. Rope access professionals for example who clean the windows on the tallest skyscrapers have extensive levels of practice and training.
Equipment required will also vary depending on the taks. Operating heavy machinery to buff hard floors is a very different role to wiping down surfaces. Validate that the company’s workers are correctly trained in the tasks you need. It’s wise to ask for their accreditations, safety certifications and insurance forms too. Ensuring the staff are highly vetted and well trained is a non negotiable when searching for a cleaning company.
Products Used
Not all cleaning products are created equal. Some are far better tasked for the job than others. When selecting a cleaning company be sure to ask about the products they use. This will be a direct reflection of both their competence and company values.
Attacking germs and keeping your office safe means the right products must be used. The right products will not only prevent cross-contamination but protect your office appliances from damage too. If the wrong product is used, irreversible impairment could be caused.
Select companies operate in more eco conscious environmentally friendly ways. Companies that use greener products are often safer for employees’ well being. Avoiding use of toxic harmful chemicals in the office reduces negative impact on both staff and the environment.
Health & Safety
There is nothing more paramount than the health and safety in your commercial environment. Making sure that everyone is safe, both cleaners and the inhabitants of the building is imperative. A clear set of work conditions is important. A manager on site frequently checking procedures are carried out to correct specification is a good indication of best practise.
Validate that the staff are well versed in safety procedures. This comes in the form of health and safety training certificates or accreditations. The cleaning company you select should have a clear policy in place for the entire safety of their staff. Their staff should be fully trained on all pieces of equipment they use and know how to follow all safety procedures without fault.
Customer Retention & Testimonials
Success leaves clues. The best cleaning companies will have stellar retention rates and a plethora of glowing customer reviews. Upon selecting a cleaning company ask about their retention rates. A good question to ask is how long the average customer stays with them and who their longest serving customer is.
Better yet, ask to directly speak to both existing and previous clients. There is no better indication of quality of service than those who have hired the company before. Look to see if the company has a high review score. You could check their rating on Google or TrustPilot as well as reading any customer testimonials on their website and social media.
Make sure to take real care and time on this process. It can be time consuming but trust us it is by far the most important determinant of finding the right cleaning company. It’s far more time consuming to hire the wrong company than put in the time upfront.
One clear indication of a company’s success will be how long they have been operating for. Often companies that have been around longer have higher levels of professionalism, customer service, reliability and expertise. We’d suggest looking for companies with 10+ years of experience to be absolutely certain. A track record of operating speaks for itself.