Whether you have a new business and you are seeking professional cleaners or you are an established business needing new janitorial services, there are a few things to look for in a janitorial proposal.  The reality is that there are many different companies that offer cleaning services, but not all these companies are the same.  Some have an extensive background and can provide you with multiple glowing recommendations, while others may be new to the market but offer great rates.  Sometimes choosing the cheapest available options will serve you well, and sometimes it will end in disaster.  Ultimately, you should collect multiple proposals and make an informed choice; so what distinguishes a good proposal from a poor one?

Presentation

A professional, error-free proposal printed on company letter head is a good start.  The presentation of their proposal will be your first chance to evaluate a company’s organization and professionalism.  Letterhead indicates these cleaners are established, and not likely to go anywhere.  A written proposal that is rife with errors and omissions suggests a company doesn’t take their position very seriously.

Clarity

You need to be able to easily understand your janitorial proposals.  The best proposals are articulate, concise, and complete and should include pricing information as well as details about the services they do and do not provide.  Different cleaners may not always offer the same services, so just as much as you want to find the best janitors, you also want to choose somebody who can offer the services you need.  This information should be clearly presented in their proposal.

References

Without the opportunity to speak to past clients, you really have no way of knowing about the quality of janitorial service provided.  Especially for companies that don’t have a reputation in your area, you’ll have to rely heavily on references from current and past customers.  Local references are usually better because you’ll be able to confirm their veracity much more easily.  A lack of references or many poor references are warning signs.

Customer Service

You should be able to get a sense of the customer service values of a cleaning company from their janitorial proposal.  First, some of the best professional cleaners offer 24 hour availability to the customer, but you also want to know how you can contact your cleaners if problems arise.  Industry standards vary to some degree, but you should expect same day or next day resolution for problems.

Contracts

Finally, your janitorial proposal should give you an indication of the kinds of contracts the company offers.  You’ll want to carefully consider the cancellation policy of your company, and you should check the fine print to ensure there are no surprises.  Most companies offer a 30 day right to cancel policy.

In almost any community, there will be a plethora of janitorial companies looking for an opportunity to compete for your business.  Still, before you are ready to choose a company, you should know what to expect when hiring a janitorial company.  From a tour of your offices to the janitorial proposal, there are many factors that will influence your decision of which company fits best for you.  Here is a brief outline that will help you understand what you should expect when hiring a janitor.

Tour

The best janitorial companies take their role very seriously, and before developing a proposal or quoting you a price, they will want to have a tour of your facility.  During this tour you will have an opportunity to discuss your cleaning needs from how often you want recycling or trash removed to which offices should be cleaned and everything in between.  The tour also allows you to get an understanding of any limitations potential janitorial companies may have.  While most professional cleaning organizations will offer a wide range of services, there will likely be some variability in these services from one company to the next.  A quick tour of your office also gives potential janitors a chance to ask you questions and learn about your specific requirements.  You can also talk about your experiences with previous cleaners and highlight some of the pros and cons of the work they provided.

Proposal

Once you have had an opportunity to tour your facilities with potential janitorial companies, and you have discussed your requirements and concerns, potential cleaners should put together a proposal for you.  This proposal should be customized to address your particular needs, while also providing solutions to any current janitorial problems you have experienced.  Moreover, the proposal should be a straightforward document that outlines not only what work will be done but how it will be done as well as a breakdown of the quote for this work.  Ultimately, you can dictate how these proposals will be submitted (in person or by fax or email), and then you can take some time to review all your proposals and choose the one that best meets your needs and budget.

Decision

It is important to remember that there will be at least some variability in the services and cost of services provided by different janitorial companies.  As such, your decision on which company to hire requires some time and consideration.  You should consider the experience level of potential companies, as well as which services they are offering.  At the end of the day, you want to choose a company that meets your needs within your budget, but also one that has a track record of success.  You may even want to collect references before you make a decision.

In homes and offices around the world, carpeting is ubiquitous.  And, just as you would clean other aspects of your home or office, carpets need regular cleaning as well.  Unfortunately, carpet cleaning isn’t always as straightforward as you think it might be, so here are the things you need to know about carpet cleaning.

Environmental Impact

Most carpet cleaners are non-toxic and are safe for the environment.  Nevertheless, some cleaners and cleaning products include toxic chemicals which are not only a danger to the environment but can also be hazardous for your health.  Always carefully read labels before purchasing carpet cleaning products and try to choose something that is safe for the people and pets in your home as well as the environment.

Regular Cleaning is Recommended

You should try to have your carpets cleaned regularly.  In your home, you should vacuum carpets at least twice a month, but you should also consider yearly cleanings as well.  As far as offices are concerned, you may need to have more frequent cleanings because your carpets are likely to see more traffic.  As dirt sets in carpet, it becomes more difficult to remove and you may need to rely on stronger, chemical cleaners to remove the stain.  Regular cleaning ensures the quality and longevity of your carpet as well as maintaining its appearance.

Work with Professionals

A small cleaning job or spot stain removal is probably safe and easy to do on your own; however, cleaning your entire home or office is best left to professionals.  First and foremost, professional carpet cleaners have the skill and experience to remove all kinds of stains, but they also know how various cleaning products will react with different types of carpet.

Installation

You may not think the installation of your carpet is at all related to its cleaning, but this is not the case.  You need to make sure your carpet is installed properly so that it can be cleaned properly, but you also want to make sure you have the right type of carpet in each of your rooms.  Indeed, some carpets are more durable and easier to clean so they make a better choice for high traffic rooms.  Ultimately, you want your carpet to match the function of the room.

In addition, installing the correct underlay helps to prevent stains from soaking into the carpet and can actually make cleaning easier.  Obviously, as a home or business owner, you may not have the specialized knowledge required to make the best carpet choices, so you should be sure to consult an expert.

Green cleaning is an increasingly popular trend.  As we learn more cost-effective ways to implement green cleaning, it is becoming the go-to method for both commercial and residential buildings.  Not only does green cleaning limit the impact we have on our natural surroundings, but it also reduces many harmful effects associated with traditional cleaning chemicals.  A wealth of research highlights the fact that cleaning chemicals can have a negative impact on human health including eye, skin, and respiratory irritation; and traditional chemical cleaning products are also associated with harmful effects on the environment.  From healthier homes and offices to cost and understanding of the products, there are many benefits of green cleaning.

Healthier Homes and Offices

Since green cleaning products do not contain harsh chemicals, they are safer for family members, pets, and colleagues.  With green cleaning the risk of absorbing chemicals into the skin or breathing them into the lungs is eliminated.  Research has shown that even using cleaning sprays just once a week can increase your risk of asthma.  Logic would have it that green cleaning reduces your risk of a range of chronic illnesses that affect the respiratory system.

Respect for the Environment

Cleaning chemicals get into your skin and lungs, but they also have a very serious impact on our natural environment.  Harmful chemicals pollute waterways and even the air.  In fact, some cleaning chemicals are associated with the depletion of the ozone layer and even global climate change.  Moreover, green cleaning products are often available in recyclable packaging, further limiting our impact on the environment.

Safety

Strong cleaning products pose a risk for chemical burns to a person’s skin or eyes; alternatively, non-corrosive green cleaners must adhere to strict standards when it comes to inhaled toxins, combustion, and skin absorption.

Improved Air

Many chemical cleaners have a strong smell which can be extremely offensive.  On the other hand, green cleaning products have a pleasant, non-noxious odor that won’t compromise air quality.

Cost

Some of the most effective green cleaning materials are common household items.  Vinegar, olive oil, and lemon juice cost just a fraction of chemical cleaning products, but they’re very effective for cleaning.  In fact, even commercially developed green cleaning products cost the same or less than traditional cleaners offering homeowners and business owners alike the opportunity to switch to green cleaning and save money.  Plus, green cleaning has been shown to reduce the chance that employees will take sick days, so business owners can even save money on lost work time.

Transparency

Perhaps one of the most important benefits of green cleaning is your knowledge of the ingredients found in your cleaning products.  While there are no government regulations that require the ingredients in commercial cleaners, green cleaners can be made at home so you know exactly what ingredients you’re using to clean.

A clean office isn’t just about first impressions.  On average, each of us spends about 8 hours a day in our office and some of us more.  A clean, well-maintained office is free of allergens, germs, and other factors that can cause illness or workplace distraction.  Indeed, there are many good reasons to keep a clean office from impressing a new client to improving worker productivity.

So let’s take a moment to talk about first impressions.  When you enter a home that is disorganized, poorly maintained, or even dirty, what are your initial thoughts?  You probably think the homeowner cares little for their health and well-being, and you may even judge them as lazy and unproductive.  Do you honestly think a dirty office doesn’t convey the same image?  Whether you are seeing clients or greeting a VIP in your office, the space needs to be clear of piled documents, scuffed floors, and dirty windows.  If your office looks a mess, you can be sure executives and potential clients alike will judge you harshly.  Your office space ultimately represents the pride you take in your job, even if you never consider that fact.  Most importantly, first impressions sometimes cannot be overcome, which is an even more important reason to keep your office clean.

In addition to impressions, a clean office promotes productivity and employee health.  In fact, unsanitary and disorganized offices can have a direct impact on worker health.  Germs are spread easily between people, and shared office equipment can help to ensure that illness spreads quickly and indiscriminately.  Desks, computers, keyboards, and telephones should be wiped down regularly to prevent the spread of infectious disease.  Moreover, individuals with compromised immune systems or those suffering from conditions such as asthma will benefit greatly from working in a hygienic office space.  Likewise, piled boxes, misplaced office furniture, and other signs of an untidy workplace can even pose a physical threat to your employees in the form of trip hazards.  So, a dirty office can also be a risk with respect to litigation associated with employee injury.

Even if you are aware of the threat of infection and take steps to maintain sanitary working conditions, a disorganized office can also have a negative impact on worker morale and productivity.  The best and most efficient offices are highly organized and free of clutter.  Multiple studies have shown that employees are happier and work harder when their office environment is clean and orderly.  This is because workers can focus their energy on the most important tasks at hand rather than wasting time managing a messy desk.

As you can clearly see, a clean, organized office not only promotes a positive image for your company, but it also limits workplace illness and injury with the side benefit of improving worker efficiency.