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Choosing The Best - Commercial Cleaning Services In BC

10 Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Commercial Cleaning Services In BC

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It can be quite a challenge finding the right commercial cleaning services in BC, for your needs.

There are so many small, less than credible cleaning companies that are here one day and gone the next.  Unless you ask the right questions you never know if you made a mistake until it’s too late.

You want a commercial cleaning service that will perform to a standard that you will be happy with…consistently.  You don’t want to worry about security and problems from employees that were injured on the job.  That shouldn’t be your problem, but it can be if the commercial janitorial service you hire isn’t set up professionally.

Most importantly, you want the commercial cleaning company in BC that is properly set up to be proactive in handling cleaning problems rather than reacting to problems that have grown because they weren’t handled in time.  The last thing you need is to get complaints from customers or unhappy staff members.

Of course, you want the commercial cleaning cost to be within your budget.

If you ask the right questions you are more likely to have a satisfactory experience with your commercial cleaning services company.

Top 10 Questions To Ask Your Commercial Cleaning Services In BC Before You Hire Them

  1. Do they offer all the services you need, or will they subcontract out some of their duties?

An underlying question here is:  Does the commercial cleaning company have their own employees? Or, do they hire day-workers that can be hired cheaply, but they will probably not be hired again.

This is important because with day workers you never know who will be working in your building.  Is that secure?  Will these temporary workers be able to provide the quality you want?… There could be lots of potential issues.

  1. Does the cleaning company provide a detailed list of what work they will actually do? Is that list in the cleaning service agreement?  If it’s not, make sure it is.
  2. Can they clean in the nights and weekends? Maybe it’s not convenient to have cleaning staff on the premises during work hours where they may get in the way of your staff or customers.
  3. Related to that, is: What is their security clearance procedure?  Will your building and your staff be safe when the cleaning company employees are around?  You want to work with a company that does thorough criminal checks, regular drug testing and gets several references before they hire.
  4. Is the commercial cleaning company in BC insured and bonded? If they are not insured and bonded, potentially, if one of their employees gets hurt on the job your company could be held responsible for compensation.

Professional commercial cleaning companies in BC are always well insured to cover any liabilities.

  1. How long has the commercial janitorial services company been in the business?

Experience counts.  Experienced employees will do a better job, with less wastage and fewer accidents than inexperienced ones.

Experienced cleaning staff can be trusted to identify potential problems before they become an issue with staff or customers.

With the right training and experience, cleaning staff will take care of problems automatically without having to be told to do things.

There will be fewer accidents and experienced cleaning personnel will be great to be around because they are relaxed and happy in their job.

  1. Can the company provide references? Can they provide references in your industry?

A commercial cleaning company with a good reputation will be able to provide several references.  They will inevitably have clients that will be happy to talk to potential new clients for the cleaning company.

Make sure you get several references and you phone them or visit them to get a first-hand review of what their experience has been.

  1. Will you have one particular person to contact if there are any issues or special cleaning requests?

Find out what their management structure is like.  If the company is so big that you are going to become “just a number” after you sign the contract, you may not be very happy in the long run.  Things come up.  Issues are identified from time to time.  If it’s going to be a hassle to get the service you want you will end up being frustrated.  Not worth it.

If you know you will have one particular person to contact it will make your life much easier.  Ideally, your contact person would be the cleaning team’s supervisor who has first-hand knowledge of your office or building.  He or she would know the cleaning staff and be able to address any issues quickly and thoroughly.

Over time, you will get to know the person in charge of cleaning your office or building so you can get a high level of cleaning seamlessly.

  1. Is the potential commercial cleaning company willing to show you how they came up with their price?

You’ll find, in many cases, especially if it is a competitive situation, the quote you get may not include all the costs you will end up paying.

It’s important to understand what exactly is included in the cleaning company quotation.  Be sure to ask:  what’s included?  What’s not included?  What is optional?  Do they have packages where you can save money?

Make sure you get all the details in the form of lists from each company that provides a quotation so you are comparing apples to apples.

  1. Does the janitorial company use commercial grade “green cleaning” practices and supplies?

Green cleaning is certainly better for the environment, but it is also very good for your staff and customers.  Many people are sensitive to cleaning agents and chemicals and could have allergic reactions.  In some cases the reaction could be so strong it could have legal implications.

It’s better to be safe and provide a higher standard of cleaning and safety for your customers and staff by using “green cleaning” practices.

In addition to cleaning chemicals, several technologies are now available to provide cleaning and disposal so everyone is safe.

Ask the question and have them specify what exactly they do to provide “green cleaning”.

All of these questions are designed to help you as a facilities manager to distinguish fact from fiction as you search for the best commercial cleaning services company.  You want to keep your facilities shining and smelling fresh. Don’t be afraid to dig deep and ask for details.

Professional, reputable cleaning services companies are proud of the things that set them apart from slipshod operations.

Call now for a free quote for daily or weekly commercial cleaning services in BC:  1-855-824-8450 or 250-869-5165.

We’ve been around for over 30 years as a top commercial cleaning company in BC with a reputation for consistent performance over the long term.  We are passionate about keeping our clients happy over many years.

Commercial janitorial services company and Commercial cleaning services

How The Right Commercial Janitorial Services Company Can Increase Profits And Decrease Expenses

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Facility managers are under constant pressure to reduce costs even though real costs of managing a facility keep increasing. So, how do you perform to excellence when your budget may not be what you want?

Among the expenses you manage, the cost of a commercial janitorial contractor can add up pretty quickly. If you scale back their services, you could end up with a dirty facility. That’s not going to be acceptable for anyone.

So what do you do? How do you maintain the clean, fresh environment that motivates clients to buy and staff to think clearly?

Here are some ideas you can take to the bank:

Use “Smart” Cleaning Strategies

The first thing to do is to involve your commercial janitorial services company and simply ask them “how can we maintain our high cleaning standards and reduce expenses”?

You’ll be surprised at the practical answers you will get. Your commercial cleaning company understands the pressures you face every day.  Although they won’t be willing to provide the same amount of work for less money, they will be eager to help because they want to keep the contract.

The people who deal with the nitty-gritty details of keeping your facility clean know where there is waste of time and resources. Study your facility with them and analyze where you can reduce expenses.

Look at each cleaning zone and your specifications list.  See if you can find areas that get less wear and tear but are thoroughly cleaned every day.  You might only need the thorough cleaning once a month.  Maybe some rooms are heavily used once a week but not in between.  Look at areas that would be fine if they were cleaned on alternate days. You’ll be surprised how much money you can save simply by reducing the labour cost of commercial janitorial services.

Just be careful to not slash services without discussing them with your cleaning contractor.  Some services definitely should not be reduced like entryway cleaning and washrooms.

Save Money With The Right Chemicals, Tools And Equipment

Your janitorial budget depends on the amount of time the cleaning company spends on your facility.  By using the most up-to-date tools and equipment they will be able to provide a high standard of cleaning in less time.

When you sign up a new commercial janitorial services company or at contract renewal time, specify that you want them to use the latest technology that is appropriate for your facility.  Also specify that you expect their equipment to always be functioning at top levels and that they will replace equipment that is over a certain age.

While the commercial janitorial services company will want to keep using their “perfectly good” equipment even if it is decreasing in efficiency, you know it takes them longer to achieve the same clean if their equipment is wearing out.  This is costing you money in labour costs, so you have a right to specify that they use the best technology available to do the job.

The latest equipment will also save you money on water, chemicals and energy.  Make sure they are using the most cost-efficient chemicals and tools to do the job.

Consider A High Staff Turnover As A Source Of Excess Expenses

If a commercial janitorial services company has a high staff turnover rate it means there is something going on with the management.  Are they treating their workers properly?  Will poor treatment of their workers spill over into poor quality work?

Cleaning staff becomes more efficient the longer they are in the job and the longer they have been cleaning your facility.  If you keep seeing new cleaning staff you know their efficiency is likely to be down.  They will need to spend more time and are likely to use up more chemicals and produce are lower quality of cleaning.  Some staff turnover is natural, but if it becomes excessive, have a chat with your commercial cleaning services contractor.

Ensure The Cleaning Company Staff Provides Quality Health And Safety Training

Worker’s Compensation costs add up quickly.  If your janitorial cleaning company staff keep getting into accidents or breaking things this cost will be factored into the quote you get for the service.

Also, if the commercial cleaning company doesn’t enforce the use of safety procedures like warning signs when the floor is wet, you could have claims from people having accidents.  This not only costs you money, but it also affects the reputation of your company.

Communicate clearly with your commercial janitorial cleaning company that you expect their staff to be thoroughly trained in safety procedures affecting the cleaning staff as well as the people using the facility.

Evergreen Building Maintenance will work with you to maximize your cleaning on a limited budget.

If you are looking for a commercial janitorial services company, give us a call for a free, confidential quote:   1-888-559-6870 or 250-999-2796

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Should You Be Concerned If Your Commercial Cleaning Services Company Is Slow In Getting Back to You?

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Hiring a reliable commercial cleaning services company is a bottom line issue.

When you hire a commercial janitorial company you expect they will do a good job consistently and without the need for supervision by you.

Commercial cleaning is a specialization.  A “professional” commercial cleaning services company means they know what they are doing.  On the other hand, especially when you are just getting started, they may miss some things from time to time.  That’s where it’s important to have feedback systems in place.

When you do an inspection of the commercial janitorial company’s work you may find some things that need improvement…so you send an email to your contact in the company.  What does it mean if they don’t get back to you right away?

It may mean nothing.  Maybe they just missed your email or were a little delayed in responding.  On the other hand, if this happens over and over again, I bet you are also getting substandard cleaning in your facility.

While not responding right away may not be a “sign” of poor work, it is certainly not a “sign” of a company that is on the ball.  Sometimes, a larger company will have a janitorial team and team manager and it may take a little time to get the message from the office to the manager.

On the other hand, if the janitorial cleaning company really is “professional”, then you should have a direct line to the cleaning team manager that is in charge of your facility.

If your commercial cleaning services company continues to be unresponsive or slow in responding, it might be a good idea to start looking for a replacement.

Unresponsiveness means the facility is likely not being cleaned to your standards and they are not willing to bring up their standards to meet your requirements.

Sure, mistakes happen, issues come up but if your commercial janitorial services company isn’t rectifying them quickly, your building maintenance will suffer.

This puts you in the unenviable position of either learning to live with substandard janitorial services or micromanaging your janitorial company’s people.

Why You Shouldn’t Accept Substandard Commercial Janitorial Services

A good office or company ensures that workplace is comfortable, especially if there is lots of pressure to deal with or if your business involves countless transactions.

Clean Offices Are More Inviting To Customers

If your office is dirty, disorganized, or always short on paper towels in the bathroom it doesn’t leave a good impression in your customers.

More Customers Are Likely To Visit A Sparkling Clean Environment

People equate the way your business operates with the way the office looks. If your facility is shiny clean, bathrooms are sanitary and well-stocked with paper towels and soap, if the building looks organized, and running efficiently…they will think that your company is also organized, efficient

Clean Offices Need Fewer Equipment Replacements

Having a lot of dust in the air can actually make your electronic equipment wear down faster.  Computers, printers and other electronic equipment is likely to last longer.

Janitorial Services Clean Offices Are Productive Offices

Many studies have proven that people are more productive in a clean environment.  They work better and focus better if the environment is orderly and clutter-free.  When an office is clean and tidy there is less stress in the office.  It is much easier for employees to focus on what they need to be doing.    [[[[  ]]]]

A Reliable Commercial Cleaning Services Company Affects Your Bottom Line

You’ll earn more revenue by attracting more customers; you’ll spend less by extending the life of your equipment, and your team will work more efficiently in a clean environment.

Call now for a quote from a professional commercial cleaning services company: 1-855-824-8450 or 250-869-5165

Commercial janitorial companies White Rock, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, BC

Advantages Of Working With A Commercial Janitorial Company With A Large Menu Of Services

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A commercial janitorial company can only offer services based on the resources it has access to.  Resources can mean the number of employees available at any given time, their training level, specialized equipment, security clearance and more.

Most commercial cleaning companies only offer basic services for their clients.  If you have additional requirements you will have to send out an RFP, make phone calls, get quotes from several places, compare quotes and hopefully select the right company for the job.

As a facility manager you have a lot of responsibilities.  Any time you put into sourcing services means taking away time from something else.  Why not consider hiring one company that you know has a large variety of clients and all the in-house expertise you would ever need?

You already know that they provide a high standard of service and their prices are reasonable.  Anytime you need a non-basic service you can simply add that task to their weekly, monthly or daily duties.

Think of all the time and trouble you will save.  A large commercial janitorial services company with a variety of clients will have specialized, trained employees for anything you want to have done.  They will also have the right equipment to for the job.  If your task involves security clearance, they will have that also…already in place, without delay!

Having a working relationship with someone you trust goes a long way toward saving money, preventing accidents and most of all, your peace of mind.  You know the work will get done, on time, on budget and to a high standard.

Commercial Janitorial Company Services You Don’t Need Every Day Can Include:

  • Professional window cleaning
  • Floor stripping and waxing
  • Steam cleaning of carpets
  • Steam extraction upholstery cleaning
  • Stain removal
  • Snow removal
  • Ice removal
  • Parking lot litter removal and sweeping
  • Extra staff for emergency situations
  • Polishing stainless steel and metal surfaces
  • Cold and hot pressure washing
  • HVAC repair
  • Light construction jobs
  • Handyman services
  • Preventive maintenance

Evergreen Building Maintenance has over 30 years’ commercial janitorial services experience working with all kinds of businesses, both large and small.  Our clients include individual offices as well as entire office towers.  We serve individual retail shops as well as large shopping centres with hundreds of stores.  From the point of view of security clearance, our cleaning teams work in police stations, banks and government offices that require strict security certifications.

If you have an emergency situation, as our client, we will make sure you have enough cleaning staff available to handle any unforeseen circumstances.  On the other hand, if you have a special event coming up, we can easily provide extra staff for any time of day or night.

You can count on us to have the specific expertise you need, in-house.  You won’t have to spend your valuable time running around getting quotes.

Call now for a commercial cleaning quote from a company that offers a high standard of basic cleaning PLUS any other janitorial services you might need: 1-855-824-8450 or 250-869-5165.

Commercial janitorial companies White Rock, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, BC

Commercial Janitorial Companies With Low Employee Turnover Provide Higher Value

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A high employee turnover in commercial janitorial companies is a warning signal and potentially a security risk for you.

Commercial janitorial companies that treat their employees well tend to keep their employees for a long time.

Long term employees get good at what they do.  They get to know your building and can adjust their cleaning schedule to accommodate high usage periods.

They know what gets dirty or smelly more often.  Instead of you having to point out these kinds of things, long term employees in commercial cleaning companies already know, so:

  • Your building stays cleaner.
  • You get fewer complaints.
  • Your tenants are happy and
  • You have one less thing to worry about.

Commercial Janitorial Companies With Lots Of Familiar Faces Means A More Secure Facility

If you see a constant sea of new faces in your commercial cleaning crew, pay more attention to the situation.  Do they have access to areas with confidential information?  Are they adequately supervised by employees you trust?  Have they all gone through the security clearances properly?

New faces means people you don’t know are accessing your facility.  Familiar faces means you are working with people you know you can trust.

Long-Term Cleaning Company Employees Means Better Safety And Cost Savings

When employees are initially being trained they typically get less done in the same time compared to an experienced employee.  They are also prone to missing responsibilities.  It takes time to get into a routine where janitorial staff accomplish everything they need to, during their shift.

In addition to not being thorough, new employees are more likely to damage equipment and waste supplies.  So, if commercial cleaning companies can’t keep good employees for the long-term, it costs you money and the job is likely not done to your standards.

Excessive employee turnover commercial janitorial company staff reduces the value of what you are getting from your commercial cleaning company.

When A Commercial Janitorial Company Values Its Employees, You Get Better Value

Good management results in better cleaning.

When a company treats its employees well there is good morale in the company.  Janitorial staff take pride in their work.  They go the extra mile to make sure they have done a thorough cleaning.

Well Trained Cleaning Company Employees Are Happier

When a commercial cleaning company trains their employees in new ways of cleaning, new equipment and better, safer cleaning solutions, it shows up in the quality of cleaning.  Better trained employees produce better results in the same time period.  Environmentally safe cleaning products means less worries about health problems for the cleaning staff and for the people using the building.

Employees that are trained more often tend to stay longer because they find their work more interesting.  They feel like they are making more of a contribution.  Both of these are important factors in deciding to stay with the company instead of moving on.  It’s a sign of good management.

The Evergreen Building Maintenance Advantage

  • Evergreen Building Maintenance takes pride in the level of training they provide for their employees.
  • You’ll find many familiar faces year after year.
  • Many of their employees have the highest security clearance.
  • Management closely monitors safety practices and wasted supplies.
  • You can count on a consistent, high standard of cleaning from Evergreen Building Maintenance employees.

Call now for a quote from one of the top janitorial companies in  Canada  1-855-824-8450 or 250-869-5165.

Or, contact us here. for services in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, White Rock BC and more…

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How To Help Your Commercial Janitorial Company Give You Pricing In A Format So You Can Compare Quotes

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Have you ever had a stack of commercial janitorial company pricing quotes for one facility that look like they are each for completely different buildings?

How do you compare commercial cleaning companies if the wording and descriptions in their quotes don’t seem to have anything in common?

This is a real problem for facility managers when trying to get the best value for their dollar.

Do you  go for the lowest price not understanding that it may not cover even the essential cleaning services you need?

Maybe you pick a premium priced quote thinking you will get a more professional cleaning company… and later you find out that company doesn’t even have experienced cleaning staff?

This is a common problem when the management doesn’t take care of its employees so there is a lot of employee turnover.  They can’t keep good employees, so their costs go up because they have to compensate for the mistakes of beginners.

Commercial Janitorial Company Pricing Factors

  • Labor costs
  • Insurance
  • Taxes
  • Employee benefits package
  • Direct costs like cleaning supplies, toilet paper
  • Equipment costs
  • Training costs for employees
  • Management fee
  • Profit

Janitorial Quotes – Factors You Need To Consider 

One of the best things you can do to make the job of comparing quotes easier is to be clear in your own mind what kind of services you are looking for.  Here are some idea starters:

  • What type of building is it?
  • What kind of business you operate?
  • What are your building’s traffic and use patterns?
  • Where is your facility located?
  • What are the labor costs in your area?
  • What scope of cleaning do you need?
  • Do you have any special requirements?
  • Do you need landscaping services?
  • Do you need parking lot maintenance?
  • Do you need general building maintenance from time to time?
  • Do you need a cleaning service that can be available during the day time?
  • Do you have special projects or interim needs?
  • What frequency of cleaning do you want?

Provide Your Janitorial Service With Solid Information So They Can Give You A Solid Quote 

  • Tell them the total square footage of your building
  • Break the square footage of each flooring type (carpet, hardwood, cement, marble, etc.)
  • How many people typically use your building during the day?
  • How many people use the building in the evenings?
  • Are people using the building on weekends?
  • Are there regular “special events” that need to be built into the quote?
  • How many washrooms are there?
  • How big are the washrooms?
  • What did your previous cleaning service miss or failed to do?

This type of information will help commercial janitorial services estimate how much cleaning supplies they will need.  They can establish budgets for trashcan liners, toilet paper, paper towels and hand soap.  If you have different flooring types, they can budget for time, materials and employees with specific expertise.

Remember to prioritize your “wants” and “must-have’s”.  Some companies may be able to give you a price break on services of more value to you.  In other cases it might be too expensive to include some services on a regular basis, but becomes affordable on less frequent basis.  For example, you may get your hardwood floors waxed every quarter instead of once a month.

Call now for a free, confidential commercial cleaning and building maintenance quote from a commercial janitorial company that provides transparent pricing:   1-888-559-6870 or 250-999-2796