Choosing a great commercial cleaning company to maintain your building is a challenge. How do you know a company will perform well? What sets a commercial cleaning company apart from its competitors?

If you take the time to ask the right questions, you can determine whether the company you hire is merely mediocre rather than marvelous. Here are the top nine qualities that mark a truly great commercial cleaning company.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #1: Experienced

An inexperienced commercial cleaning company won’t have the knowledge necessary to properly clean your building. As you search for the right company, don’t just look at the number of years they’ve been in business— find out if they’ve ever cleaned for a client in your industry. If, for instance, your building is a bank, be sure to ask about their experience cleaning other banks. Do they understand the intricacies that are involved with cleaning a financial institution? A great cleaning company will be able to answer your questions.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #2: Professionalism

When we refer to a commercial cleaning company’s professionalism, we’re not solely speaking of their demeanor. Are they affiliated with professional organizations and associations? Do they have certifications, such as ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS)?

Any great commercial cleaning company will take the necessary steps to obtain these certifications, and they’ll make the effort to join the top-notch professional organizations and associations, ensuring that they’re up to date with the latest industry developments.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #3: Consistency

Consistency is the hallmark of a great commercial cleaning company. Have they been working with the same clients for years? If the answer is yes, that’s a good indicator that the company is consistent and reliable.

When you hire a cleaning company, it’s important that you can trust them to perform the required task at the same level of quality every time they’re in the building. Regardless of which members of the team are cleaning your building, the result should always be the same.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #4: Reputability

A great commercial cleaning company should be able to produce references from happy clients, whether they’ve served them in the past or are currently working with them. In addition to the references offered by the company, do your own research. The advent of review sites such as Yelp as well as the review feature on Google makes it simple to see who’s saying what about any company y0u’re considering hiring to clean your building. You’ll get a complete picture of the company’s reputation when the reviews aren’t gated by the company itself.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #5: Organized

When you meet with a potential cleaning company, how’s their presentation? Do they appear to be organized— both in their demeanor and the items that they use in their demonstration? Is their vehicle clean and reliable? All of these factors speak to the company’s organization.

You need to know that your cleaning company will be able to seamlessly juggle a number clients each day, keeping track of each business’s particular needs. A company that’s well-organized can do this without missing a beat.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #6: Well-Equipped

Another aspect you need to consider is the equipment the cleaning company has at its disposal.  Are they working the bare bones equipment, or do they have the state-of-the-art equipment you need to ensure that your building is cleaned properly? Ask questions about specific equipment that you know is required to keep your business clean and hygienic. If they don’t have it, or worse, don’t know what you’re talking about, you need to continue searching for a new cleaning company.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #7: Fairly Priced

We’ve all heard the saying, “You get what you pay for.” When it comes to commercial cleaning, this old adage is very relevant. The company with the cheapest price probably won’t keep their business afloat, simply because they’re unable to make a profit. When they’re unable to pay quality workers the wage they deserve, they’ll be forced to hire less motivated workers who aren’t properly trained. (For that matter, they won’t be able to afford to train their team in the latest innovations in the field.)

That said, y0u shouldn’t immediately opt for the most expensive cleaning company. Instead, look at the companies whose prices fall somewhere in the middle— not too high, but not too low. This is your opportunity to play Goldilocks— find the price that’s “just right.”

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #8: Secure and Confidential

If you can’t trust a cleaning company’s employees to work in your building with supervision, the company isn’t the right one for you. Ask any cleaning company you hope to hire if they conduct background checks and drug testing on their employees. If the answer is no, keep looking.

Also, ask the company about their policy related to managing keys and key cards. Who is given access to the building, and how do they determine who is eligible for that access? A high-quality organization should have ready answers to these questions.

Great Commercial Cleaning Company Quality #9: Bonded and Insured

No matter how carefully you vet a cleaning company, accidents happen. Great commercial cleaning companies will be fully bonded and insured, and they’ll be able to offer you proof of their up-to-date general liability insurance.

Many companies carry additional insurance policies, increasing their coverage in the event of an accident or should a client’s property go missing. Ask any company you consider if they’re covered by additional insurance, and if so, what kind of policy?

American Maintenance & Supplies has been a leading provider of cleaning services in New York City and the greater New Jersey area for more than five decades. We’re proud to offer uncompromising customer service to our commercial clients, and we’d love to work with you. Contact us today!