Planning to hire a cleaner this autumn? You might already have one or two local companies in mind, but what assurances do you have that they will do a good job, be respectful of your team, or even turn up?
Follow our top tips to hire a cleaner that you can rely on throughout the upcoming flu season and beyond.
Establish Your Requirements
Before we get started on how to hire a cleaner, you must first understand why you need a cleaner.
Every business has unique cleaning needs, which differ depending on everything from the size of your premises to the nature of your operations. For example, a small office space will have different cleaning requirements compared to a large factory, but these will also vary for each factory based on the type of products they manufacture.
To get a good idea of the type of cleaning package you need, as yourself:
- Do your premises need a daily, weekly or monthly service?
- Are there certain areas that will need to be cleaned on a more regular basis?
- Do you need any specialist services e.g. equipment cleaning?
- Would after hours cleaning suit your operations?
- How large are your premises, and are there controlled zones within it?
Once you have a clear understanding of what you need, save this list until the very end of the hiring process, as you’ll be able to share it with your shortlisted cleaning teams and request written confirmation that they can meet your requirements.
Look For Local Service Providers
Now the search for the best cleaners in your area can begin.
You need a local company that can reach your premises quickly and maintain the cleaning schedule that you require. Ideally, they will be based within a 30-mile radius of your business, but this doesn’t limit your choices to independent contractors only, as many national franchises have local branches.
Whether you’re searching for independent companies or nearby branches of national providers, it’s important to cast your net wide, and here are just some of the places that you can find a cleaner:
- On Social Media: Look for cleaning providers with an active presence on social media who post plenty of client testimonials.
- A Comparison Website: Input your cleaning requirements into their in-platform search bar to build up a shortlist.
- From Recommendations: Let the other businesses in your network know that you are interested in hiring a cleaner as they may be able to provide you with the details of a company that they trust.
View Their Reviews
Now it’s time to whittle down your shortlist by digging deep into each company’s customer reviews.
A company can be as loud and proud as they like about their services, accreditations, and achievements, but it is the feedback from their clients that really matters. Each testimonial, whether it’s positive or not, will provide you with the insight that you need to pick the perfect provider for your premises, so take the time to read through their reviews – including the ones that they don’t want you to see.
Most businesses will display their 5 star reviews proudly but won’t be as forthcoming about the odd 1 or 2 star ones, so filter for these and pay attention to the criticisms that are being brought up. Are they being adequately addressed? Is the company responding positively to the negative feedback? Insights such as these will give you the clarity you need to strike certain companies off your shortlist and proceed with confidence with the rest.
Request Their Accreditations
Now that you are confident that your shortlisted companies are:
- Trustworthy
- Punctual
- Flexible
- Respectful
- And experienced
It’s time to check that your preferred providers hold the relevant industry accreditations. While reviews highlight customer service, it is industry accreditations that keep a cleaning company compliant, so ask to see their certifications from organisations such as the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), and evidence that they are compliant with quality management systems such as ISO 9001.
Companies that adhere to these requirements can be trusted to use cleaning products and equipment safely, and to meet your highest standards of cleanliness, but it is always worth asking to see a copy of their insurance as well before moving to the final stage.
Sign The Contract
Finally, you’ve settled on the clear cleaning provider for you. They’ve ticked all your boxes and answered all your questions, and now all that’s left to do is sign the contract and schedule your first clean.
It is the responsibility of your chosen contractor to provide you with a written contract that sets out everything in writing, so check that it covers:
- Their Services: Which services are mentioned in the package? Are there certain tasks that aren’t included that should be?
- Their Schedule: How often will they clean your premises? Every day, weekly, or monthly?
- Their Rates: Will they charge a flat rate by the hour, or for set services?
- Additional Costs: What extra services do you require, and what will they cost?
- Cancellation Policy: What happens if you need to cancel or reschedule a clean?
Having all of these terms written down makes sure that both parties know exactly what was agreed if any disputes do occur anywhere down the line.
Get A Quote in 24 Hours
Now that you know how to hire a cleaner, it’s time to find your local MCS cleaner.
You can:
- Find your local MCS branch
- Request a callback from their team
- Or get a free quote within 24 hours
