From Foxborough to Franklin and Stoneham to Sudbury, businesses all across the greater Boston area have cleaning needs. They need to keep their spaces clean in order to guarantee a safe and healthy work environment. And those with customer-facing operations must also maintain a level of cleanliness that invites customers to keep coming back.
For many, the best course of action is to hire a commercial cleaning provider. All Pro Cleaning Systems is an industry leader in the greater Boston area. But before you hire us, don’t be afraid to ask some questions. Below are seven questions you can ask any commercial cleaning company in Boston. The answers you get will guide your decision about whom to hire.
1. What cleaning products and equipment do you use?
A commercial cleaning company‘s ability to do its job is intrinsically tied to the cleaning products and equipment it uses. On top of that, some companies are particular about eco-friendly techniques and green cleaning products.
Although the answer to this question might not make or break your decision, it could influence your thoughts about a particular cleaning company’s level of professionalism. So ask away.
2. Are you familiar with local health and safety regulations?
Boston and the surrounding towns have certain health and safety regulations that pertain to specific types of commercial properties. A cleaning company unfamiliar with such regulations might not do an adequate job with your facility. Worse yet, any cleaning procedures or solutions not in compliance could land your company in hot water.
3. How do you handle quality control?
Quality control is critically important for the simple fact that commercial cleaning services are not worth paying for if you are not getting the quality you expect. In the Boston area, and especially in high-end communities like Waltham and Cambridge, quality means a great deal to first impressions. So it’s important that business owners understand how cleaning companies handle quality control.
4. Can you accommodate specific cleaning schedules?
If your company has any special needs in terms of scheduling, be sure to ask how service providers accommodate scheduling needs. In most cases, a cleaning company’s account manager will work with you to establish an appropriate schedule at the start of service. But you should be able to modify that schedule at will.
5. How do you address emergency cleaning requests?
Cleaning emergencies do occur – even in the Boston area. Ask how a cleaning company addresses emergency requests. Ideally, you want a service provider capable of responding in a timely manner, with an adequate workforce and appropriate equipment and materials.
6. Do you have insurance and are you bonded?
Always ask for and verify insurance and bonding information. Boston-area commercial cleaners are generally required to be both insured and bonded (there are exceptions) to protect against property damage and liability. If a company cannot furnish insurance and bonding documentation, walk away.
7. Can you provide references or verifiable examples of past work?
Even if you get all the right answers to the previous questions, it’s a good idea to verify a cleaning company’s ability to meet your needs by checking references. A good cleaning company should have no problem furnishing at least a few you can contact. In the absence of references, ask for verifiable examples of previous work.
You have the right to know what you’re getting into before your organization hires a Boston cleaning company. So before you sign a contract, ask every question you have. A reputable service provider should have no trouble furnishing answers. Any that do should be avoided.