Here's a slightly awkward thing for a cleaning company to say: the cleaner you pick matters less than the questions you ask before you pick them.
A polished website and a friendly phone manner tell you very little about what will happen at 6pm on a wet Tuesday when nobody from management is around. These ten questions get closer to the truth. Ask them of us, too.
1. Are You Insured, and Can I See the Certificate?
Accidents are rare, but they happen. A cleaner might damage equipment, or someone might slip on a wet floor. You want to know there's proper cover in place before that day arrives.
2. Who Will Actually Be Cleaning My Premises?
Some cleaning companies use their own trained staff. Others pass jobs on to subcontractors. Neither is automatically bad, but you should know who is walking through your building with a key.
3. How Are Your Cleaners Trained?
Cleaning looks simple until you're dealing with the wrong chemical on the wrong surface. Training matters even more in places like medical centres, schools and food areas.
4. What Exactly Is Covered, in Writing?
This one question prevents more arguments than any other. "Weekly cleaning" means different things to different people. A written task list means everyone knows what should happen.
5. What Products and Equipment Do You Use, and Who Supplies the Consumables?
You want to know whether the cleaner brings their own equipment and products, and whether soap, toilet paper and bin liners are included in the price or billed separately. If you care about eco-friendly products, ask about that too.
6. How Do You Handle Keys, Alarm Codes and Building Access?
Your cleaner will probably have access to your building when you're not there. That's a lot of trust, so ask how keys and codes are stored, who has access, and what happens if there's a problem.
7. What Happens If Something Is Missed?
Everyone misses something occasionally. What separates good cleaners from average ones is what happens next.
8. What Are the Contract Terms?
Read the fine print on lock-in periods, notice periods, price reviews and what happens if you're not happy. A cleaner who is confident in their work doesn't need to trap you.
9. How Will We Communicate?
Who's your point of contact? How fast do they respond? Do you need to chase updates, or do they check in?
10. Can I Speak to a Current Client or Read Reviews?
Reviews and references show you what the service is like once the sales pitch is over. Look for comments about punctuality, communication and consistency, not just "great job."
A Few Extra Checks for Specialised Sites
If you run a medical centre, school, aged care facility or industrial site, also ask how the cleaner handles site inductions, safety requirements and your infection control or safety procedures. Ask whether they'll follow your rules rather than a generic checklist.
Trust Your Instincts Too
Notice how they treat you during the quote process. Do they ask questions about your space? Do they explain things clearly? Do they seem like people you'd be happy to deal with for the next few years? That's usually a good preview.
Ask Us These Questions
We'd be happy to answer every one of them. Cleanerway has served Melbourne and a 100 km radius of Lynbrook for over 8 years, and our cleaners are trained, experienced and fully insured. Browse our commercial cleaning services, then request a quote or call 1300 60 7110.
