Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Office Cleaning Service

That Cleaning Girl · Office Cleaning

You don't need a twenty-page request for proposal to hire a cleaner for a small office. You need a handful of good questions and a cleaner who gives straight answers. If you've already read How to Choose an Office Cleaner for a Small Business, think of this as the list to keep next to the phone when you start calling around.

These are the questions we'd want a small business owner in Waxahachie, Midlothian or anywhere in south DFW to ask us, or anyone else.

Questions about what's included

Start with the work itself. Vague answers here lead to frustration later.

• What exactly is included in a regular visit?
• Do you work from a written checklist? Can I see it or add to it?
• How do you handle restrooms, the break room and floors?
• Do you clean desks, and what do you do if they're covered in papers?
• What extras are available, like interior windows, baseboards, blinds or inside the fridge?
• What's not included?

A good answer is specific. "We clean everything" sounds nice, but it doesn't tell you whether the microwave gets cleaned inside or just wiped on the outside. It also doesn't tell you whether the restroom floor gets mopped behind the toilet or just in the middle, which is exactly the kind of detail that shows up in how the room smells a week later.

Questions about scheduling

Consistency is what keeps an office clean, so ask how the schedule works.

• What days and times are available?
• Will it be the same day and time every visit?
• Will the same person clean my office each time?
• What happens on holidays?
• What happens if weather or an emergency means a visit has to move?
• Can I add a visit for a special event or a busy season?

We keep recurring clients on the same day and time, with the same cleaner whenever possible. That's the kind of answer you're looking for.

Questions about access and security

Your cleaner will have access to your business after hours, so these matter a lot.

• How do you handle keys, lockboxes and door codes?
• Do you need an alarm code, and how do you handle a false alarm?
• How do you keep track of entry instructions?
• How do you handle rooms or files that are off limits?
• Will I know when someone is in the building?

You want to hear about dedicated keys or codes, written entry notes and a clear lockup routine. A text when the cleaner is on the way is a nice bonus.

Questions about supplies and products

• Do you bring your own supplies and equipment?
• Will you use our preferred products if we have them?
• Who supplies paper towels, toilet paper, soap and trash liners?
• Can you use unscented products if someone in the office has allergies?

Most cleaners bring their own cleaning supplies and equipment, and refill restroom paper and soap from your stock so it matches your dispensers.

Questions about price and billing

• How do you come up with a price? Do you need to see the office first?
• What would change the price, like adding a visit or an extra task?
• How do I pay?
• Do you send one statement a month, or a receipt for each visit?
• How do I make changes to the schedule?

A price should be based on your actual office: the size, the restrooms, the floors, how often and any extras. Bigger or unusual spaces may need a quick look before a firm price.

Questions about communication

• What's the best way to reach you?
• How quickly do you usually reply?
• How do I let you know if something was missed?
• How do I update the entry notes or checklist?

If something gets missed, you want an easy way to say so and confidence that it'll be on the list next time.

Questions to ask yourself

Before you call anyone, take a few minutes to answer these yourself:

• What bothers me most about the office right now?
• When do I want cleaning done?
• How often do I realistically need it?
• What's off limits?
• Who in my office will be the contact person?

Knowing your own answers makes it much easier to judge whether a cleaner is a good fit. It also makes the quote faster and more accurate, because you can give real details instead of a guess.

If you share the office with a partner or a manager, sit down and agree on these together. It saves a lot of back-and-forth later.

Ask, then decide

The right cleaner will be glad you asked. Clear answers about what's included, scheduling, access, supplies, billing and communication tell you a lot about how things will go after you sign up. For straight answers about cleaning your small office, see our office cleaning services.