Have an on-site walk through to receive a proper janitor service before you sign the office cleaning contract or even a formal written estimate.

Before you can get a written formal estimate, you need to do a formal walk-through with a representative, preferably the owner or manager, of the company you will potentially hire. This walk-through serves two purposes.

1) This gives them an opportunity to inspect the job you have for them. They can see the size and the full scope of cleaning that you need to have done on a regular basis. This is essential to be able to know a fair price to charge for their service.

Be wary of anyone who tries to give you an estimate without a full walk through. This mean that either they don’t know what they are doing, are very lazy (which will be reflected in their work), or they charge hourly. You will want to stay away from a janitor service that charges on a hourly basis.  Their best interest (to take longer) will be costing you more. On the same note, it is okay to be charged hourly for special and or additional assignments you give them on an occasional basis.

2) The walk through is also a chance for you to interview them. Get to know as much as you can about their character, how the business runs and the janitor service you are hiring.

3) Make sure the janitor companies doing the walk-through have the equipment and experience to take care of the various carpets you have within your offices. You may need to include the carpet cleaning companies in your area in this selection process.

Be sure to ask the company or companies providing estimates to also bring references (if you have not already received them) and a copy of their business licenses, bonding (if desired) and insurance for you to verify.

A quick note: It is a good idea to have qualified the cleaning service through their references before getting to this step so you don’t feel obligated toward them for the time they spent on the estimate. However, if you had no way of getting references before this time, DON’T forget the references now!

Shortly after doing the walk-through, the janitor service should present you with a written estimate. You can compare this estimate with the others you have based on services provided, price and over all quality of business.

Even though it can seem like there is a lot to do to find and hire the right janitor service, remember that hiring is the easy part. Dealing with sub-par service is a lot more tiresome. In the end you will be glad you took a bit more time in the beginning because you will get what you want without the hassle of having to deal with people that don’t meet your standards or don’t know what they’re doing.