Short answer
Before hiring a commercial cleaner, ask: Will we have the same crew every visit? How will I know you showed up? Who inspects the work? What's the contract term and how do I cancel? Are supplies included? Can I see the checklist in writing? Are you insured and bonded? Who do I call when something goes wrong?
About the crew
- Will we have the same crew every visit? Rotating crews are the most common source of missed tasks and security worries.
- What happens when a crew member is out? Ask for the actual plan, not “we’ll cover it.”
- Are your crews trained, and on what? Ask about safety training, such as OSHA training for industrial sites.
About proof
- How will I know you showed up? Look for something concrete, like arrival and departure notifications.
- Who inspects the work, and how often? “Supervisors check periodically” is not an answer.
About the agreement
- What’s the contract term, and how do I cancel? Watch for auto-renewal and early termination fees.
- Is the price flat monthly or hourly?
- Are supplies included, including paper products?
- Can I see the checklist in writing, room by room?
About the company
- Are you insured and bonded? Ask for certificates.
- Are you a franchise or locally owned? It affects who makes decisions about your account.
- Who do I call when something is wrong, and how fast do they respond?
Red flags
- A price quoted without seeing the building.
- No written checklist.
- A long contract with an automatic renewal buried in the fine print.
- Vague answers about who will actually be cleaning.
Our answers
Same crew every visit. A text when we arrive and leave. Owner walkthroughs several times a week. Month to month. Supplies included. Insured and bonded, with OSHA-trained crews. Locally owned, and when you call, you reach the owner.