Every business needs cleaning—but are professional cleaners worth the cost?
In difficult economic times, most businesses look to cut back wherever they can, but it’s possible to reduce cleaning costs without sacrificing quality. The cleanliness of your facility is vital to the health and safety of your clients, making it important to find a cleaning company that can meet your needs and work with your budget. Just changing a few procedures or practices can go a long way in keeping your facility looking good for less. Here are some ideas you can use to save on the costs of cleaning.
1. Pay only for services you need
Many cleaning companies offer a variety of services, and while you may be tempted to hire a professional service for every aspect of your building, that’s not necessarily the best strategy. Instead, think about what tasks are most important to you and your business. Set priorities and stick to them.
If you’re not sure what essential services you need, here’s a list of some of the most common ones.
- Cleaning restrooms. Restrooms are one of the most heavily trafficked areas in any business, so keeping them clean is essential for attracting customers and maintaining a positive image for your company. Some companies offer restroom cleaning services that include all janitorial services in one package to help you save on cleaning costs.
- Pressure washing. Pressure washing can help remove stains from concrete walkways, patios, or parking lots while also removing dirt buildup on walls or other surfaces outside your building that may be hard to reach with a ladder or other tools used for standard cleaning. It’s cheaper than repainting or installing new siding, and it often looks just as good.
- High-rise window cleaning: This is one of those tasks that just does not make sense for DIY. In a high-rise building, the ledge and window tops can be difficult—or unsafe—to reach on your own. A professional window cleaner with the right equipment can get the job done.
2. Bundle services for a better price
If you’re just starting out, you may want to keep things simple and hire someone with a narrow focus, like cleaning the restrooms only. That’s fine, but as your company grows and its needs change, you may find yourself wanting more from your cleaning provider.
You might be able to find companies that offer the same level of service at a lower price if you choose a bundled package that includes more than just general cleaning services. For example, if you’re already hiring someone to dust and vacuum your office, consider adding other cleaning tasks such as high dusting and disinfecting. You may save more on cleaning costs than buying each service separately, especially if the contractor offers an introductory rate or special deal for bundling services.
3. Reduce the frequency of cleaning
By cutting down on how often your cleaning provider comes in, you can reduce costs for cleaning. If you have an area that gets much more traffic than others, you can direct them to focus on these areas rather than having them clean everything every week. For example, you may not need professional cleaners to detail a conference room as frequently as public restrooms. For areas that see less traffic, an occasional deep clean may be all that is needed to keep things in order.
4. Be flexible about your service schedule
Cleaning during daytime hours is cheaper than cleaning at night. You can save on energy costs by using natural light during the day, and you don’t have to pay workers extra charges to come during late hours. If this is an option for your business, take advantage of it.
Working with a cleaning company that offers flexible scheduling options could be an easy way to save costs on cleaning without sacrificing service quality. They’ll be able to go into your office and do the cleaning during off-hours such as while you’re at lunch, or they can come in early in the morning before anyone else arrives.
5. Consolidate your cleaning services with one company
Find one point of contact for all your commercial cleaning needs. Doing so will give you the opportunity to negotiate better pricing from a single source and ensure that all of your properties receive uniform service levels. If you have multiple locations or different types of buildings, you’ll be saving on costs for cleaning services and other expenses by avoiding having to call multiple companies for your cleaning needs.
6. Find a cleaning company that will work with your budget
If you have a small business and don’t have a large budget for janitorial services, it is important that you find someone who will work within those limitations. One way to reduce cleaning costs is to look for a company that has reasonable rates and gives good value for the money. You want someone who will give you an estimate for the job in advance rather than just showing up and charging whatever they think is fair at the end of the day. That way, you’ll know what to expect before hiring them.
Save with Seattle Commercial Cleaners
We put our clients first. Whether you have a budget in mind and need alternatives to save on cleaning costs or you prefer to opt for a more tailored experience, Seattle Commercial Cleaners can accommodate your needs without charging for extras. Our teams serve the greater metropolitan areas of Seattle, OR. Contact us now to see how our unparalleled expertise and outstanding service can help your business thrive.