5 Things to Consider When Choosing A Cleaning Vendor

When it comes to selecting a cleaning vendor for your place of business, there are multiple factors to consider.  We’ll walk you through the top 5 and hope to scrub some dirt off of topics that are often covering up a clean decision-making process.

1. Service Capabilities: Not all cleaning companies are built the same.  Some specialize in carpeting, while others specialize in windows or hazardous material cleanup.  Be sure to do your research and select a cleaning company that would best service your specific place of business.  At SterileMed, our foundation is janitorial, (having 43 years of experience), but we also offer a highly trained medical-cleaning team in this division.  This separates us from other companies that only can provide janitorial.  If you’re running a hospital or private practice, you would NOT want the same equipment or untrained staff that clean an office restroom, being used to clean your Operating Room.  (Yikes!)  Ask them what they do but more importantly HOW they do it.

2. Account Management: A lot of companies are big on implementing a set-it-and-forget-it strategy.  This is when they gain your business and then the quality diminishes over time due to lack of account management.  Choose a company that incorporates a full account management program into your package.  It may cost a little extra at times but trust us, it’s worth it!

3. Location: Technology is amazing in today’s world so use it to your advantage.  Don’t assume that a company services your area.  Google it or ask them!  In the service business, there are a lot of logistics that go into pulling off a smooth operation.  The best companies will be honest if they can or even CAN’T provide you with service due to how far they are willing to travel, able to keep up with your account, or even respond to emergency situations.  You want to choose someone who can drive over and/or assemble a team at a moment’s notice.  Not someone who has to hop on a plane to quote your window washing request.

4. Experience: This can make all the difference when selecting a cleaning vendor.  Especially if you are looking to set up an ongoing account.  Why?  Because experienced professionals have been through a million scenarios and (hopefully) know how to react in case of an emergency.  Developing skill in a specific trade develops over time.  While the new guy on the block may be cheaper, the end result may be drastically different.

5. Pricing. Ahh yes, this is the golden nugget page on the proposal. This is where you need to justify quality verses cost of service and package options verses a one-size-fits all approach.  If you receive a price that you feel is too high, you may be eager to pass.  Too low, and you may think it’s too good to be true.  However, you must consider the factors above including service capabilities, account management, location, experience and THEN justify the cost of service.  Do not be afraid to pay a little more to get a little more.  We all pay attention to the bottom line but sometimes the cost of selecting a cheap vendor will actually hurt your operations more than help it.  Make a clean decision and one that you and your team feel comfortable with.  When you make the right decision, you’ll be the superhero of the office.

We hope these 5 points help you decide who is the best cleaning vendor for your specific facility.  If your business meets our criteria, contact us today to receive a free quote.  Otherwise, use this as a guide to find the right company for you.