Everyone appreciates cleanliness: fresh-smelling, shining floors, smudge-free glass, and pristine restrooms. Besides being healthier, professional cleaning and disinfecting services also protect a facility’s assets and keep employees and clients happy.
Regardless of what kind of commercial business you own or operate in Hawaii, keeping up with your custodial cleaning is non-negotiable, especially in the current environment. In this comprehensive guide, we are going to cover why businesses need to hire commercial cleaning companies in 2021 and how to pick the right company for your particular Honolulu area office or facility.
Hawaii Janitorial Services Industry Background
Building owners and facility managers in Hawaii should recognize those disparities exist in quality among service providers in the professional janitorial cleaning services industry.
But there is much (much!) more to thorough facility cleaning than meets the eye. When you hire true professionals who have been around in the cleaning business for a while, you can expect that each crew member will be trained in the latest techniques and maintain the best equipment to deep-clean your property.
Some janitorial services in Hawaii do the bare minimum and call it a day. They will clean up the most visible surfaces, tidy the office, and take out the trash. But we all know this kind of office cleaning leaves areas unclean and filled with potential germs and pathogens.
Just because your janitor is using strong-smelling chemicals doesn’t mean the facility has been properly cleaned. A reputable commercial janitorial service provides their clients with a detailed agreement that defines the scope of the services they will perform and customizes their plan based on your specific needs.
Importance of Hawaii Janitorial Services
Contracting out commercial cleaning services to pros gives everyone in the workplace peace of mind. Your employees don’t need to break away from their job tasks to do the dusting and mopping; they can focus on their work knowing a capable janitorial crew has got everything covered.
Having a routine cleaning service come in and take care of your organization’s office or facility also gives them a cleaner and fresher environment which is known to boost productivity and morale.
Image Awareness
A clean office also leaves a good impression on clients and visitors. Even if it seems unnoticeable, a clean environment simply feels more hospitable and can impact your business’ reputation. You don’t want your guests or customers to see dusty conference rooms, stained carpets, or trash overflowing with takeout cartons and crumpled paper.
The image you project is a critical factor in the success of the entire operation. A shoddy appearance can create the impression that your business performs shoddy work. A clean and fresh-smelling appearance, on the other hand, will instill higher confidence in your products and services.
Follow Strict Safety Standards
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, commercial janitorial services were decontaminating hospitals, pharmaceutical labs, manufacturing facilities, and other high-cleanliness establishments for years. As a result, they already had elaborate safety protocols in place.
Training to systematically clean all key surfaces and touchpoints such as doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, workstations, keyboards, and more without leaving anything to chance is critical.
If you work with professionals who are experienced in cleaning services in your specific industry – be it healthcare, hospitality, or anything else – you should ensure they will follow the highest standards of safety.
Ensures Quality Service
As businesses in Hawaii are now finally starting to reopen, there is an increased focus on deeper and more thorough cleaning standards. However, as time goes on, most people will fall into the old pattern and get less concerned about keeping their surfaces and surroundings clean.
Seasoned cleaning firms will not have this problem. Due to years in the industry, they know the value of upholding cleanliness protocols and will strive to keep that up every time, no matter how big or small your facility is.
In fact, you can expect a complete report after every job to let you know what work was done to your premises. If your current janitorial services are not doing this, likely, they are not doing their best to comply with the necessary quality standards.
If you’re in the market for a commercial cleaning service, make sure the company you choose provides the level of service your business requires and staff expects. Not all commercial cleaners offer A-to-Z janitorial solutions. For example, only some services in Hawaii offer upholstery and carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, and stripping and waxing of hard floors.
Determine Your Service Needs & Requirements
Make your expectations crystal-clear so the janitorial company can provide an accurate service price quote for your office or facility. Your expectations and your budget should always be in alignment with one another.
A sign of a good commercial janitorial service is they will provide customized solutions and ensure you’re satisfied with the level of cleaning executed.
If you work in an industry where specific cleaning or trash removal protocols must be followed, make sure your cleaning company has skilled and trained technicians to do just that. In addition to providing the services you need, they should also be able to identify issues and offer speedy solutions before your employees or customers notice anything amiss.
What additional services can they provide?
Besides the no-brainer janitorial services like dusting, vacuuming, and trash removal, ask what other services they can provide and if they offer customized services. You may want to work with a commercial cleaning company that provides additional services such as:
- Annual deep-cleaning
- Special event clean-up
- Exterior pressure washing
- Floor and carpet care
- Electronic disinfection
Scope of Work
Determine how often you will need the cleaning and maintenance services – daily, weekly, or monthly? You may want your facility’s high-traffic areas such as restrooms and breakrooms to be cleaned and re-stocked multiple times a day, while upholstery cleaning is done every 3-4 months.
You should develop a detailed scope of work that will allow apples-to-apples comparison amongst bidders and to utilize as a performance measure once a contract is awarded.
Insurance Coverage
Determine what insurance coverages and limits you will require from the professional cleaning service. Obtain a Certificate of Insurance from them to document they are in conformance.
Typical commercial cleaning services in Hawaii have the following to mitigate risk and manage liabilities:
General Liability Insurance: This one protects your company from general claims involving bodily injuries and property damage. It can help cover medical expenses and legal fees resulting from the injuries and damage.
Automotive Liability Insurance: This provides coverage for vehicles owned by the janitorial company. In the event of an accident, this insurance covers the cost of bodily injuries and property damage to a third party.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This covers medical costs and lost wages that occur due to work-related injuries. This coverage is required by the State of Hawaii.
What to Look for in a Janitorial Cleaning Service
Here’s the thing, your commercial janitorial company will likely be working on your premises after your employees are gone for the day. So, you want to work with a reliable and reputable firm, someone who can be trusted to do their job right even when you are not around.
To make sure you choose the right cleaners, consider the following factors:
Do they have industry-specific experience?
A lot of industries have needs that go beyond typical office cleaning. For example, hospitals have specific hygienic needs like sub-sterile areas, aseptic cleaning of operating rooms, disposal of biomedical waste, and more.
If special requirements apply to your organization, confirm that the cleaning company you choose can accommodate those needs.
Do they have market credibility?
You are going to trust the commercial cleaning service you choose with your business and thus, potentially sensitive information. It goes without saying that you want to work with an agency that has several years of experience in your industry and can handle the type of industry your business is in or the facility you have.
Don’t hesitate to ask for references and call them. You can learn a lot about a business from the customers they work with and what they have to say. A credible commercial cleaning outfit will have no problem giving you the names and contacts of a few clients for references.
Seek Cleaning Services That Focus On High Customer Satisfaction
Your business simply cannot operate at full capacity if its offices are not clean, sanitary, and safe for everyone. If you don’t have a trained and capable in-house janitorial staff, you must outsource and find the best cleaning company in your market.
The following factors will help you pick out a cleaning company that not only shares your vision but will eagerly help you achieve your organizational goals by providing great customer service.
Several studies suggest that many consumers see low prices as a sign of subpar quality. Be wary of janitorial services in Hawaii that claim to be the “least expensive”; their focus may be on quick fixes rather than establishing a long-term relationship with your organization.
As a business owner, you may already know this: a company that takes great pride in its work product and workforce is always a good bet.
What is their hiring and training process like?
A professional company will be able to discuss how they evaluate and hire their employees. Do they conduct background checks before hiring a cleaning technician? Do they have a formal training process – and ongoing training – in place?
If you work in healthcare, hospitality, or any other industry which has specific compliance regulations regarding cleaning standards, make sure you ask them whether they can provide that level of service.
Significantly, also find out about the janitorial services follow-up staff training.
How do they handle customer support?
Once you sign on the dotted line, you want to make sure it won’t be the last time you hear from them (until it’s time to renew the contract of course). Find a company that takes pride in its solid client communication process. They should keep meticulous communication logs and perform regular inspections.
If you ever have an issue with their services, you should be able to get in touch with someone who can resolve it promptly and effectively. Ask if they provide after-hours support and who you should contact in case there is a janitorial emergency.
Ask For References And Check Them
It’s easy to make bold claims, but does the company has unbiased references and customer reviews to back it up? If possible, reach out to the company’s clients personally and learn more about their performance, consistency, and request-response time.
If something stands out as a red flag – like a negative or abusive response to a customer’s negative feedback online – find another alternative.
Choosing A Professional Janitorial Cleaning Service
Now that you have an idea as to what to look for in a commercial janitorial company, it comes down to 3 factors: trust, pricing, and competency.
Trust
Before hiring a janitorial service, check the company’s reputation. How does the company stand in the local business community in Hawaii? Do they have good customer satisfaction ratings and reviews?
The cleaning service‘s corporate culture should be based upon transparency and the desire to develop strong, long-term client relationships.
Pricing
Average commercial cleaning prices in Hawaii are extremely variable and depend on the type of facility cleaned. Cleaning a restaurant or medical facility may have a different price than cleaning an office building. Plus, prices fluctuate when organizations hire for either ongoing cleaning or a one-time project.
You obviously want to work with a competitively priced commercial cleaning service, but don’t forget that low costs might suggest poor service. Look for value as the pricing key.
Competency
There are nuances to keeping a commercial facility clean; it’s more than cleaning whatever looks dusty and dirty. This is why it’s so important to work with cleaners who are experienced and have established cleaning processes in place.
Effective commercial cleaning services should have an entire service-delivery platform designed to handle all aspects of operational issues which may arise.
Make the Right Impression With Servi-Tek Facility Solutions
You now have a thorough understanding of what it will take to pick the best commercial janitorial company for your business facility in Hawaii. Think of it as an investment in the overall efficiency of your business – one which comes with significant long-term benefits.
At Servi-Tek Facility Solutions, we know that by working with us, you are investing in the integrity of your organization itself. We can optimize your facility’s cleanliness while you focus on your business commitments and responsibilities. Not to mention your employees deserve to work in an environment that is clean, safe, and free of harmful germs and pathogens.
We offer best-in-class janitorial solutions to businesses and organizations in Hawaii. Regardless of whether you require office cleaning services in a retail environment, Servi-Tek can create a customized cleaning plan tailored exclusively for your specific needs.
To learn more about our commercial cleaning services, call us at +1 (866) 454-6185 or contact us online.
