Does the cleaner have a named replacement
The monthly fee is usually the first thing people look at when choosing a cleaning company. For a business client it matters at least as much whether the service still works when the cleaner falls ill, something goes wrong or the needs of the company change. A few specific questions are worth asking before you sign.
Ask what happens when the main cleaner for your site is away. A working replacement system means the cleaning does not simply stop because of illness or holiday. Ask as well whether the replacement knows the site or has to start from scratch every time.
Does the company check the quality of the work
Quality cannot be guaranteed by a promise alone. Ask how the work is checked, who does the checking and how client feedback is dealt with.
Regular or spot quality checks catch problems before they turn into a pattern. It also matters whether someone other than the cleaner does the checking. If a site manager goes round, the client does not have to play inspector every week.
Does the company have liability insurance
Cleaners often move around business premises when none of your own staff are there. That is a reason to ask about liability insurance, about keys and access rights, and about confidentiality for the cleaning staff.
These questions are not excessive, particularly where the cleaner has access to offices, documents or equipment. You should also get an answer on who holds the keys, how they are handed over and what happens when an employee leaves.
Are the price and the scope of work clearly set out
A quote should state clearly what the monthly fee covers. Check the cleaning frequency, the list of tasks, the cleaning products, the consumables and any specialised work. Two quotes with very different content cannot be compared on price. The lowest number may simply mean less work.
Ask as well whether the price includes toilet paper, paper towels and bin liners, and how extra jobs such as window cleaning or deep floor cleaning are priced.
Do you have a named contact when something goes wrong
You also need to know who to turn to when something has to be changed or sorted out quickly. One name and one number works better than a general info address.
Ask how quickly feedback is answered and who covers for your contact person while they are on holiday. Most problems in a working relationship come from nobody picking up the message rather than from poor cleaning.
Does the cleaning company fit your business
The last question is the simplest. Has the company worked with businesses of your size and in your field, and does it understand what matters in your building. A shop, an office and a production site have different needs.
Lux Puhastus is a cleaning company based in Tallinn that works only with business clients. We have 18 years of experience and more than 80 sites served. The longest client relationships have lasted over 15 years. We carry out a free site survey before quoting and agree the scope of work together with the client. Read more about office cleaning or ask for a quote.