Hiring a commercial cleaner means giving someone your keys, your space and your reputation. Most owners and office managers choose in a hurry, because the cleaning is not the part of the business they enjoy thinking about. A few good questions up front save a lot of frustration later.
Start with what you actually need
Before you call anyone, write down three things: what needs cleaning, how often, and when. Do you need washrooms and floors only, or desks and kitchens as well? Do you want a clean every night, a few times a week, or weekly? Can the cleaner come while your team is there, or only after hours? A company can only quote accurately if you can answer these, and you can only compare quotes if every company is quoting the same thing.
Ten questions to ask any commercial cleaner
- What exactly is included? Ask for a written checklist. "We clean the office" is not a scope. A good checklist names the areas (reception, washrooms, kitchenette, floors, glass) and the tasks in each.
- How is the price set? Some companies bill by the hour, others charge a flat fee for an agreed checklist. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know which you are getting and what would change the price. We explain the difference in our guide to flat fee versus hourly commercial cleaning pricing.
- When will you clean? The best time is usually when nobody needs the space. Ask whether evenings, overnight, early mornings and weekends are available, and whether holidays are covered.
- Who will be in my space? Ask whether the same people come each time. Consistency matters, because a cleaner who knows your space gets faster and more careful.
- How will you get in and lock up? Keys, door codes and alarms need a clear process. Agree on it in writing and decide who is responsible if something goes wrong.
- What supplies and equipment do you bring? Make sure you will not be asked to supply anything, and ask what kinds of products are used if scents or sensitivities matter in your workplace.
- What insurance and workplace safety coverage do you carry? Ask for proof, not just a yes. This protects you if there is damage or an injury on your premises.
- What happens if something is missed or damaged? A professional company has a simple answer. Look for a clear way to report a problem and a promise to fix it.
- Can I speak to a current client? Local references are worth more than any sales pitch. Reviews on Google are a good second check, especially recent ones that mention reliability.
- How quickly do you respond? Notice how fast and how clearly the company answers you before you hire them. It is usually a preview of how they will behave once you are a client.
Red flags
- A quote with no assessment, given before anyone has seen or heard details about your space.
- A price far below everyone else's, with no explanation. Cleaning is labour, and labour has a cost.
- Pressure to sign a long contract before you have seen the work.
- Vague answers about insurance, access or who will actually do the cleaning.
- No way to contact a real person when something goes wrong.
Why an assessment first is a good sign
Every space is different: the number of washrooms, the type of floors, how many people use the space and how often. A company that assesses your space before giving a price is telling you it intends to quote the real job, not a guess. It also gives you a chance to meet the people you are trusting with your space.
