5 Benefits of Using a Contracted Cleaning Service

Whether you're managing a private corporation, an educational facility, an auto dealer or medical facility, a decision must be made on how to keep it clean. Deciding whether to manage the cleaning in-house or to use a contractor is a personal decision and there are pros and cons for each. In commercial cleaning, there are far more advantages to using a contracted service than not. In my professional opinion there are 5 main benefits of using a contractor. In no specific order of importance they are:

1. Experience - A reputable contractor has a lot more experience cleaning various types of facilities. There are production rates that can often be used from these experiences that can give an accurate estimate of the amount of time needed to service the facility properly. Most companies that use their own cleaning staff never conduct actual time studies on how long it really takes to clean their facility, they simply keep hiring full time employees until it appears the work is getting done properly. This often results in allocating more time than is needed to get the facility clean. Also, contractors understand what cleaning chemicals work in different settings and what doesn't work. Their familiarity with automatic equipment can prove as a time saver and reduce labor costs as well.

2. Control - When employers manage their own cleaning staff sure they're the boss, but that doesn't always translate into a cleaner facility, here's why. Managing people is hard and time consuming especially if the cleaning staff requires micromanagement. Most managers don't have the time or desire to deal with cleaning issues and personnel on a daily basis. Sure contractors often face similar hurdles when managing their employees, but that's when a good account manager is valuable to the program. A contractors' account managers manage the quality control of the facility and all personnel. They can be proactive in implementing a change in the program if quality control reports are not to acceptable levels. Customers have much more power in shaping a successful program than if they were managing it themselves. All they have to do make a phone call or send an email expressing their thoughts and the contractor makes it happen or they risk losing the account. Customers can spend their time and energy on their actual job instead of on cleaning issues.

3. Liability - Reputable contractors are always fully insured and bonded. They hold all responsibility for their employees and incur all costs of liability insurance, unemployment insurance and workman's compensation. This is another reason responsible contractors perform strict background checks on all employees. Contractors also are responsible for payroll taxes and medical benefits although these costs are often passed on to the customer.

4. One Stop Shop - Contractors often serve as a one stop shop for customers. Most will always provide their own cleaning chemicals and equipment which is one less expense the customer needs to worry about. Many contractors can also provide paper products, trash liners, soaps and other consumable products at competitive prices adding even more convenience. If the customer needs floors stripped and waxed, carpets cleaned or restrooms scrubbed a contractor can do this as well. This is key considering most in-house crews have to outsource floor care anyway.

5. Coverage - Most established cleaning contractors can provide coverage if a regular employee is out on vacation or calls off due to sickness. A facility with in-house staffing often cannot do this so areas are left unclean which can be a health concern especially in restrooms that are frequently used and schools where bacteria and viruses are rampant.

If you don't want to spend your time managing the cleaning issues of your facility hire a reputable contractor like Central Maintenance and get back to focusing your efforts on what's important to you.