What Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Cleaning Company

Featured: Cleaning person holding bucket of cleaning supplies answering questions- What Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Cleaning Company

Hiring the best cleaning service in Manhattan, NYC, requires a fair amount of research. Before deciding who to choose, there are several factors to consider. If you skimp on doing your due diligence, you might regret your decision and waste time and money. To find a commercial cleaning service that is reputable, reliable, and experienced in the type of cleaning you need, here are some questions to ask yourself and your potential cleaning company before committing.

1. What are your specific needs?

It matters who you hire, as different companies specialize in various types of cleaning, from seasonal house and apartment deep cleaning to medical office cleaning to unique services like carpet steaming. Understanding your needs directs you to a company with services that align with your expectations.  

2. When and how often do you need cleaning services?

Some businesses offer regularly scheduled cleaning. Others specialize in one-time services. Consider the frequency and timeline you need to work with and hire a company that reliably meets your scheduling needs.

Callout 1: Questions marks on colorful paper notes- Things to consider when hiring a cleaning company, #1, #2. Needs, Frequency of cleaning

3. What do reviews say about their reputation?

Online reviews are vital to the success of home cleaning services, so they should be readily available for you to research beforehand. Please feel comfortable requesting references from the cleaning company and then contacting them for feedback. Even if someone you know and trust recommends a company to you, go online to scour their reviews and ensure they are well-established, reputable, and highly rated by their customers.  

4. Are they licensed and insured?

This protects you from liability in case of accidents that happen while cleaning. If the company has inadequate insurance coverage, you may be held responsible for fixing the damage, which can get expensive. If they are unlicensed, you could run into legal and tax complications later, such as penalties for using an unregistered company. Make sure they abide by the relevant local, state, and federal laws. 

5. What’s their screening process for hiring employees?

In the same way you want to trust the cleaning service you hire, you also want a company that trusts its employees. When you hire them, you give them access to your personal and professional space, and there are some privacy and security risks to consider. Make sure their team is background-checked and properly trained before hiring them. Discuss how they handle keys or access to your space, and ensure security measures are in place to protect your home or office.

Callout 2: Questions #3, #4, #5, business reputation, licensed and insured, employee screening process

6. What’s the total cost estimate?

Get a detailed estimate of the price of services, materials, fees, and any additional charges. Clarify whether they bill by the hour or per job, and know what payment methods they accept. Failure to research potentially undisclosed hidden costs can drain your budget and cause undue stress.

7. What products and equipment do they use?

Make sure to mention if you have specific requirements or preferences about the cleaning products and tools they use. If being eco-friendly is important to you, or if you need an allergy-free space, make sure they can accommodate your requests. You deserve the best cleaning service, one that understands your unique expectations and delivers customized cleaning with well-maintained equipment.

8. What are the contract terms?

Thoroughly review the cleaning company’s contract and note their policy on cancellation, terms of service, guarantees, and warranties. If the contract is not well-defined, it can be challenging and time-consuming to resolve potential disputes that arise. Read and understand the contract terms before hiring and proceeding with the project.

9. Can we easily communicate?

Responsiveness and communication are two valuable assets of a cleaning company. They should be easy to reach, open to questions and comments, and able to promptly address your concerns. When you reach out to potential cleaning services, pay attention to when and how they respond. The best cleaning service prioritizes communication whether you are a potential new client or a dissatisfied past customer.  

Callout 3: Cleaning products, cleaning crew cleaning. Questions #6, #7, #8, #9.  Estimate, products used, contract terms, communication

10. Do they use a cleaning checklist?

If they do not offer a detailed cleaning plan, request one. This ensures you are both on the same page regarding what tasks and areas will be tended to during the scheduled cleaning.  If you have a clear understanding of their process, and if the general and specific details that matter to you are listed, then you know what to expect and any limitations to address.

11. Do they guarantee your satisfaction?

A “satisfaction guarantee” means that the company you hired is committed to addressing any issues related to cleaning and re-cleaning your space. When the work is done, you want to know what happens if you’re not completely satisfied with the outcome. See what they offer. This reflects their quality of customer service.

Callout 4: Cleaning checklist on notepad- Questions #10, #11- checklist, service guarantee

Commercial Cleaning Services With Special Requirements

Certain types of cleaning have special considerations to research before hiring a company. In every case, to find the best cleaning service, we recommend asking the above questions and discussing any specific issues related to the following categories.

Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning

Moving in and moving out have two separate sets of cleaning needs. Whether you’re transitioning into a new space or leaving your home for the next tenant, check the online reviews, paying specific attention to platforms like Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List. If you’re working with a real estate agent, ask them if they have a reliable reference for a cleaning company. Conduct a walkthrough with the company beforehand to point out any special areas or surfaces involved in the cleaning, and ask who their emergency point of contact is if any issues arise during the project.

Medical Office Cleaning

Different health-related offices have various medical cleaning needs that focus on keeping the staff and patients safe while maintaining a sanitary space. To meet the expected level of cleanliness that complies with industry standards, find a cleaning company that is properly trained in infection control, OSHA regulations, HIPPA guidelines, and COVID-19 protocols.  Discuss the use of hospital-grade disinfectants, best practices, and eco-friendly products, and inquire about their emergency response plan in case of unexpected spills or contamination.

Callout 5: Cleaning supplies on table- commercial cleaning services with special requirements- 4 services available

Post-Construction/Renovation Cleaning

Construction cleaning aims to remove every dust particle left behind by new construction or the disastrous remodeling process. These can be hazardous sites. Compile your detailed scope of work, and get a few quotes before hiring a post-renovation cleaning service. Timelines can shift with construction projects, so ensure your cleaning service can accommodate your needs. Discuss payment options, keeping in mind that you might want to avoid making full payment upfront, in case of any issues, and ask about paying the remaining balance after a thorough walkthrough.

Newborn Arrival Cleanup

Bringing a newborn home is an inherently stressful time. To safeguard your space and know it is clean and safe, carefully consider who you hire. An experienced company is vital as they will know what protocols and products are best for babies. Communicate any special requirements, like the nursery or baby’s laundry area, and protect your newborn’s fragile health by tending to the air and ventilation in the space. This means prioritizing the vents, fans, ceilings, light fixtures, and other dust-collecting features on the newborn cleaning checklist.

Consider Hiring the Best Cleaning Service – Deep Clean NYC

If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning company in Manhattan, NYC, we specialize in the above services and offer a free estimate for every project. Please do your research, and read why people agree we are the best cleaning service! Contact us today! 

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