You would think that choosing a commercial cleaning company is a straightforward process. Facility managers often request at least three quotes, compare the quotes, check the references, and then sign on the dotted line. The fact is that many facility mangers find themselves having to break contracts within a eighteen months.
It's not due to lack of care that the cleaning contract fails, it is because a traditional procurement method hides important red flags. These are the four most common mistakes facility managers make when choosing a cleaning company:
It is understandable to immediately be drawn to the lowest price, especially when working to tight budgets. Commercial cleaning costs are mostly made up of labour and when the bid is lower than the others, it could mean the contractor is cutting corners, this may include:
Unrealistically low quotes invariably lead to "scope drift," where cleaning standards slowly deteriorate after the first thirty days.
Many of the quotes you receive are based on your offices square footage, yet two businesses with the same floor plan can have different cleaning needs.
A tech firm with eighty employees working hybrid schedules requires a completely different cleaning plan than a sales call centre with two hundred full-time staff sharing hot desks, kitchen facilities, and washrooms. Facility managers must look past square footage and brief contractors on peak occupancy, high-touch zones, and actual usage patterns.
Let's be honest, most cleaning companies will have impressive sales pitches when it comes to their high standards, yet they don't provide information on how they audit these standards. If your contract doesn't have clear quality assurance protocols, you are hoping for the best. Your contract should clearly outline:
Always verify whether the contractor uses digital inspection apps, supervisor spot-checks, or formal Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
When a cleaning company experiences high employee turnover, your facility suffers. Rotating crews spend half their billable time searching for alarm panels, light switches, power outlets, and disposal areas instead of cleaning.
Prioritise cleaning vendors that invest in their workforce through fair wages, proper training, and dedicated site placements. A consistent cleaner who knows your building inside and out is infinitely more efficient than a rotating crew of strangers.
If a cleaning contractor only measures your property dimensions and doesn't ask questions regarding footfall, operating hours, lock up procedures, and high traffic pain pints. Reliable cleaning providers audit your operations, not only the square footage.
Establish a clear, binding Service Level Agreement (SLA) with a predefined cleaning frequency, along with mandatory monthly quality audits with your dedicated account manager from day one.
National firms offer broad reach, but local or regional specialists often provide far higher accountability, lower staff turnover, direct access to senior management, and customized care for your specific building.
A successful cleaning contract is built on operational alignment, realistic labour budgeting, and clear accountability. By looking beyond the lowest price tag and vetting a provider's auditing systems and staff retention, facility managers can secure a seamless, long-term cleaning partnership. Are you looking for a reliable and consistent cleaning company? Give Sloane Cleaning Services a call today. We are backed by 40+ years of commercial cleaning experience and our team are on hand to provide you with a free, no obligation site survey and quote.