Whether you are looking for a cleaning company to clean your premises on a regular basis, or a team of cleaners to work alongside your existing in-house cleaning staff, there are a number of points to consider to ensure you procure the best fit for your needs.

As an experienced cleaning company serving organisations throughout West Sussex, Surrey and London for over 30 years, we are well-placed to advise on the key criteria to consider when seeking the best commercial company to suit your specific requirements. 

Here’s some of our top tips:

Tip 1:  Set Out Your Expectations

When procuring commercial cleaning services, it is important to consider and set out your expectations of the provider. Outlining your specific requirements, such as any parts of the building which require special attention (e.g., visitor or reception areas), and making these expectations clear at the quoting stage will help to ensure that your needs are met and you avoid additional costs at a later date. Ideally it would be best to work with a single cleaning supplier, so if you have specific cleaning needs such as gutter cleaning or soft furnishing cleaning, it is important to check that these services are offered by all parties being considered to avoid later issues or disputes.

Tip 2:  Ascertain Relevant Experience

A niche specialist will have extra insight into the specific needs of your sector. For example, a cleaning company with experience in the education sector or public health sector may be able to offer specialist services that a general cleaning company may not provide.

Finding an experienced cleaning company provides peace of mind that your cleaners will have the right qualifications, attitude and experience to meet your needs. Finding the right commercial cleaning company can be challenging, but asking for references and case studies of previous work can help give you a clear vision of the company’s values and expertise.

Tip 3:  Consider Capacity and Cover

One of the most frequent complaints we encounter when speaking with prospective new customers is reliability; this is one of the key reasons why businesses look for a new provider.  With this in mind, we would recommend considering who will cover your cleaning requirements in the event of illness or annual leave.  If you were to contract a very small cleaning provider, you may find that they do not have the strength in depth to provide sufficient reliable cover in the event of cleaner absence.

Ideally the commercial cleaning company you choose will be of a size that they have the capacity to provide replacement cleaning staff at short notice, without being too large that you lose the personalised attention that a local or regional provider can offer.

Tip 4:  Will TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations) Apply?

If you currently employ cleaning staff, you should consider what will happen to these employees once you contract some or all of the cleaning service to a commercial company.  As an employer, you are obliged to protect your employees’ rights, even in the event of business or service takeover.

Contracting an external company to take over some or all of the tasks fulfilled by employed staff is likely to have implications for your employees, and so TUPE should be considered in your negotiations with the potential cleaning provider.  Would they be prepared to assume responsibility for the employment and management of your staff under TUPE rules? Do they have the experience and a process for managing a TUPE transfer?

Tip 5:  Budget and Value

When considering which professional cleaning company to contract, it is important to have an idea of your budget, without being too fixed on a specific cost. Getting quotes from a range of companies is ideal for comparison, but price should be just one factor that you consider. Choosing the cheapest option could mean that although you are saving money, you might not receive the most reliable service or the most experienced cleaners, nor the attention that your premises warrants.

Tip 6:  Loss or Damage

Another question for any prospective commercial cleaning company is the extent of their liability insurance. Having the right level of insurance in place will give you peace of mind that, should any damage or loss occur through the course of the cleaning contract, you will be compensated adequately.

It is also important for your cleaning provider to have public liability insurance, as it is likely that they will come into contact with members of the public as they work within your business premises and grounds.

Final Thoughts

Finding a company you can trust to access your premises out of normal business hours, provide a reliable, cost-effective cleaning service, while working well with your own team can be a challenge. However, by considering the above tips, you should be able to find the right fit for your needs and mitigate your risk.

If you are considering hiring professional cleaning contractors for your office in West Sussex or the surrounding areas, get in touch with Incor Group today for a quote by completing our contact form, calling 01403 263869, or email office@incorgroup.co.uk.