Tag Archive for: janitorial services

Minimizing Allergens in the Workplace

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At Evergreen Building and Maintenance is concerned with the health of our clients and customers. The Spring and Summer season is the time for allergies that can be triggered by pollen and ragweed outdoors. Allergic rhinitis, the condition describing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms affecting the nose, is common among allergy sufferers, but allergens can also affect the lungs, throat, sinuses, ears and eyes.

A survey commissioned by Johnson & Johnson also suggested that as many as 10 million Canadians suffer from allergy symptoms and that 55 percent of Canadians claim that their allergies cut into their work productivity.

The immune system identifies and reacts to different allergens. When an allergen enters the body of someone who is predisposed to allergies, it triggers an immune reaction which results in the familiar symptoms allergy sufferers know all too well. Improving the upkeep of your office is crucial in reducing and maintaining indoor allergens and ensuring the wellbeing of everyone in the workplace environment.

The Evergreen Building Maintenance team can help you with…

  • Eliminating dust mites and other indoor allergens
  • Cleaning mold or mildew on concrete flooring or walls
  • Cleaning carpeting to prevent moisture seepage
  • Improving the air quality by assessing ventilation (we conduct air quality reports)
  • Window cleaning –to remove dust and debris build up

While a deep clean is integral to reducing allergens in the workplace, certain cleaning products actually emit chemicals such as VOCs that contain allergens that many people react to severely. With this in mind, we do not use VOCs to ensure that we’re doing our best to meet your health and safety needs.

According to The Lung Association, a study found that 72 percent of people in Canada with asthma had adverse reactions to chemicals found in fragrances (Canada Safety Council). Our products are specifically fragrance and scent free to avoid any kind of contact allergy situation.

At Evergreen, we make every effort to reduce airborne concentrations of allergens. With proper training in healthy and safety, we implement strong training programs to keep our employees up-to-date with the latest protocol.

Fill out our service request form today!

Summer Cleaning at Schools and Universities

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Summer cleaning is a great opportunity to do a thorough cleaning throughout the campus at schools, universities and colleges.  Students are away and the cleaning crew can get unhindered access to all areas.

At Evergreen Building Maintenance, we pride ourselves on providing cleaning services to a variety of sectors including health, commercial offices, airports, government offices, retail, financial, real estate and education.

At this time in the season, the school year has wrapped up for all levels of schooling – including universities. With primary and secondary students gone for the summer and fewer people on college campuses, this is the ideal time to call in a cleaning service for a deep clean of your educational facility.

Here are a few of the things we can do to ensure the summer months of cleaning go smoothly.

Prepare a written plan

School maintenance requires adequate planning and strategies. By executing a well-defined plan that consults with the floor-plan of the school, we will create a guide for our cleaning efforts to ensure that by the time the school bell rings in September, all areas that need attention have been covered.

We will make a detailed list of all areas such as:

  • Classrooms
  • Lounges and common areas (including furniture)
  • Cafeterias
  • Kitchens
  • Gyms and Showers
  • Lockers
  • Janitorial closets (to make sure everything is up to date)
  • Windows, walls, doors
  • Hardwood flooring and carpeted areas
  • Stairs and Hallways
  • HVAC
  • Washrooms
  • Lighting
  • Outdoor areas
  • Playgrounds

…and so on. We understand the needs of each school are different and take the time to make a customized plan.

We Keep Health Interests in Mind

Infection control is an issue in educational facilities considering that hundreds of people set foot into a school day in and day out from a school’s students to its administrators. It’s extremely important to make infection control a priority throughout the school year – and the summer months are no exception.

At Evergreen Building Maintenance, we will pay particular attention to cleaning:

  • Entrances
  • Doors (knobs, handles, push plates)
  • Railings
  • Light switches
  • Desk and counter surfaces
  • Elevator surfaces
  • Faucets and sinks
  • Telephones
  • Equipment

…and anything else you specifically request!

Finally, our goal is to protect the health of students and school workers. As part of our green initiative, we are dedicated to using products and materials that are non-toxic, VOC-free and environmentally safe. As we have said before, we are green in name – and it practice!

Contact us today and let’s get started.

 

 

 

Meet the Operations Manager of our Okanagan Commercial Cleaning Division

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Ranjit Takhar began working at Evergreen Building Maintenance while studying at the University of British Columbia. While attending post secondary, he learned the basics of the business and helped out with complicated paperwork and proposals for maintenance contracts.

Little did he know that at the young age of 24, after completing his Management Degree at UBC Okanagan, he would be successfully running the day-to-day operations for the Okanagan Division of the company.

Recently, he was featured in the second edition of Kelowna’s Top Forty Under 40 program presented by BDO Accountants and Consultants, Kelowna’s Jaycees, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the Daily Courier newspaper.

The article in the Daily Courier highlights Ranjit’s passion for entrepreneurial work that overpowered his initial disinterest in taking over so much responsibility. His love for finding new and creative ways to promote the business has increased opportunities for Evergreen’s expansion.

As of 2016, Evergreen has contracts for 150 buildings utilizing 78 employees to complete building maintenance services throughout the B.C. and Alberta. Kelowna was where it all started, with Evergreen taking care of several commercial buildings, libraries, office towers, municipal buildings, retail stores, etc.

However, Takhar believes that the company can adapt to larger operations.

“…there’s opportunity to expand more into Vancouver and Alberta and even Saskatchewan to get more airport, university, retail chain stores, banks and arenas contracts” said Takhar.

Perhaps the success of Evergreen came from successfully executing the strong company philosophy to address performance related concerns within the same business day.

Evergreen is proud of being fully owned and operated. No services are franchised, and there is an emphasis on having regional managers and working supervisors who are always ready to attend to needs of the clients.

Takhar’s hard work in school has continually paid off and he enjoys having the opportunity to use his professionalism and efficiency towards putting forth good business practices towards the range of services offered at Evergreen Building Maintenance.

 

How Technology Helps Us Serve You Better

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At Evergreen Building Maintenance, we believe in constantly evolving with the times. One of the ways that we have changed our cleaning practice over the years is through the use of technology. Technology has helped us refine our routine and ensure a consistency in cleaning standards, from office cleaning to retail cleaning to custodial services. With over 28 years in the business, we’ve had plenty of time to find the technological advances that are best suited to our company.

Technology for Growth

Technology has allowed us to become the premier cleaning service provider in Western Canada. From Calgary to Vancouver, we guarantee the same high standard of service. Our swift and critical adoption of technology is what has kept our cleaning standards high even as we grow bigger. By using technology, we are able to stay in constant contact with our clients, our local supervisors, and every employee at Evergreen Building Maintenance.

Work Order Management

We use technology to ensure that every client is served to the same high standard. You will notice the difference from the beginning to the end of your service request with Evergreen Building Maintenance.

How it works:

  • First, we’ll take your service request through an email or a phone call. You will love how efficient and instantaneous you’ll find this service ordering process. (We can collect detailed information about your request for our records, allowing us to ensure that we understand all the nuances of your maintenance needs.)
  • Next, we’ll make sure that we schedule staff, supplies and equipment. This will all be done through tracking technology, ensuring that we have an accurate idea of inventory and employee availability.
  • Now we’ll submit the key information about your service request to a local supervisor, complete with a mandatory quality control checklist. This will allow the local supervisor to take a hands-on approach to the service request and to truly understand what you requested.
  • After all the work has been completed and our local supervisor has submitted the quality control report, we’ll get in touch with you. By contacting you through phone or email, we will be able to ensure that we have satisfied your request and that you are completely happy with our level of service.

Time Tracking

Our employees use a Smartphone application that allows us (and our clients) to track how much time was spent at each job site and when. This allows for a more transparent billing process and a clear understanding of job site requirements and scheduling needs.

At Evergreen Cleaning, we seek out new technology to help us fine-tune our business model. Every year, we grow more efficient and interconnected. As we grow, our communication needs expand. We are committed to providing you with the highest standards in all our cleaning and janitorial services, and technology is just one of the ways that we work towards that goal.

A Question of Clarity – 10 Questions to Ask Your Cleaning Company

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You’ve answered the first question – Do I want to hire a professional cleaning company to save time and money on all of my cleaning requirements? – with a resounding ‘Yes.’ Good choice. But now comes the task of choosing a cleaning company. There are many out there, but finding the right one for you and your business requires gathering information and doing research. You want to find a professional cleaning company with the skilled staff, ample resources and dedication to the task at hand. In order to help make your job that much easier, here is a list of 10 important questions to ask any prospective cleaning company.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ESTABLISHED?

Look for a cleaning company that has been in business a minimum of 10 years and has grown throughout those years. Look for a company that invests in its staff and training, owns and operates the latest cleaning equipment, who cares about their clients’ needs and has the experience and reputation to back up any claims they make.

WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF CLIENT SATISFACTION?

Research the cleaning company you are thinking of hiring and find out what their clients have to say about them. Look for a company whose clients are very satisfied with the services provided and that the commercial cleaning company can handle your specific needs.

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

Does the cleaning company have the staff, skill, and capability to do what you need them to do? You may need just a general clean, or a specific clean with specialist equipment. A professional cleaning company will ensure they remain up-to-date on all the latest procedures and products to ensure complete client satisfaction.

WHAT IS YOUR CAPABILITY?

Does the cleaning company have the capacity to handle the work you need them to do? Different buildings, different requirements; so look for a cleaning company that can handle a wide variety of diverse industries, whether it’s retail, financial, healthcare, real estate, commercial office or government.

WHAT IS YOUR AVAILABILITY?

Make sure the cleaning company you choose can modify their supply to your demand. They need to meet your requirements and scope of work, and adapt their cleaning schedule – daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly – to your bespoke requirements.

WHAT ARE YOUR RATES?

Just as in any other business transaction, you want to make sure you’re getting the most for every dollar you spend. Ask your prospective cleaning company their rates and compare them to their competitors. Ask whether the rates are all-inclusive or whether there any extra fees for additional cleaning (E.g. emergency clean-ups).

ARE YOU INSURED?

This is important to protect your business and ensure your financial security. All professional cleaning companies will have the requisite liability and workers compensation insurance needed to conduct their operations safely and securely. If there is damage to any flooring, furniture, or equipment, it is the cleaning company who will foot the bill, not you.

WHO DOES THE CLEANING?

The larger the company the higher the chances of multiple cleaners entering your business throughout the year. Every cleaner must be trained, certified, background-checked, and equipped to handle all of your requirements, and be familiar with your workspace. You may not often interact with your cleaners, or you may prefer a regular cleaner (or team of cleaners) you can build a working relationship with.

WHAT TRAINING DO YOU GIVE YOUR EMPLOYEES?

A professional cleaning company must ensure that every member of their staff is consistent in their delivery of top quality cleaning services. All employees must be held to the same high standard, and the company dedicated to comprehensive and continuous training for all of their staff. A professional cleaning company will implement ‘green cleaning practices’ and refrain from using harmful chemicals such as bleach in order to keep your workplace healthy and safe. They will also make sure that their staff has been properly instructed in the use of the latest green cleaning products.

WHAT IS YOUR QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY?

Ask the cleaning company what quality assurance policies they have in effect. How do they guarantee their work, and what happens if you have query regarding their work? The right cleaning company will ensure that all of the work they do for you meets with your complete satisfaction. Any concerns you may have must be dealt with swiftly and efficiently so that, come rain or shine, your workplace looks spotless.

Asking the right questions will get you the answers you need. Or, if you want to save even more time and money, you can skip these 10 questions entirely and call Evergreen Building Maintenance directly.

You can rest assured that you will be pleased with our answers to all of the above questions. Locally owned and operated, EBM has been a leader in the janitorial industry for more than 28 years. We specialize in commercial buildings and service 2.5 million square feet every day. We have the skills and expertise to guarantee only the very highest standards of cleanliness.

Please make the call; we’d love to show you what we can do.

The Evergreen Building Maintenance Advantage

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Life can be fickle, so it’s important to take advantage of the good things life has to offer. As for commercial cleaning and superior janitorial services, the advantage is with Evergreen Building Maintenance. EBM has the experience, expertise and resources for contracts of any duration and specification. This includes buildings of all shapes and sizes. Our portfolio includes everything from airports and educational institutions to hospitals and office spaces. So what makes Evergreen’s services the best?

EXPERIENCE

Evergreen has been one of Western Canada’s most trusted janitorial service providers for the last 28 years. EBM currently provides commercial cleaning to more than 120 different facilities and we expect the same high standards from our premier team at each location we maintain. On average, we service 2.5 million square feet per day.

CAPABILITY

Whatever the size or use of your building, we have trained staff who are capable of handling it. We bring the same unwavering commitment and value to a wide variety of diverse industries including: retail, financial, healthcare, real estate, commercial office and government.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Our cleaning specialists have a meticulous eye for detail, which is important when cleaning spaces that require a special set of commercial cleaning equipment and products. With Evergreen, you get a spotless clean today and every other day. Trust us; we do this for a living.

QUALITY CONTROL

Maintaining the highest standards of health, hygiene and professionalism is our most important consideration. We spend our time and resources to effectively train our staff ensuring that optimal standards of cleanliness, safety and quality are met at all times.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

At Evergreen, we are dedicated to comprehensive and continuous training for all of our staff. In addition, all of our employees are WHMIS certified. We make it our business (because it is our business) to stay up-to-date on all the latest procedures and products to provide our clients with an unparalleled experience.

ADAPTABILITY

EBM’s managerial team will always try their best to accommodate your needs. We modify our cleaning schedule to suit the scope of work and can clean exactly when you need us to (E.g. daily, weekly, bi-weekly, etc.). Our service is bespoke to suit your unique requirements. 

The Evergreen Advantage isn’t just a set of words; it is a statement. It’s also a commitment and a promise to all of our clients that their cleaning requirements are being met and wherever possible, exceeded. The Evergreen Advantage is a guarantee of our consummate professionalism and quality service. Call us today to receive a free quote or read more about our services.

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8 Benefits of Outsourcing Commercial Cleaning Services

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Outsourcing commercial cleaning services is not a decision that should be taken without having conducted the proper research. Outsourcing your office’s cleaning services is an important strategic decision for your business. Doing so saves you time and resources, enabling you to grow your company and outperform your competition. All businesses, regardless of industry or size, have to ensure that their workplace is clean and presentable. This is not only to maintain an image of professionalism, but also to keep the workplace healthy and productive for employees.

CLEANLINESS

As the saying goes, ‘cleanliness is next to godliness,’ so a clean work environment is the primary focus of reputable cleaning companies. Since commercial cleaning employees are put through comprehensive training, they are able to perform cleaning tasks in less time with better results than an unskilled staff.  Outsourcing commercial cleaning services allows you to take advantage of their extensive investment of time and money in their employees.

EXPERTISE

Janitorial specialists are trained in their field and have a razor-sharp attention to detail, which is important when cleaning spaces that entail carpets, floors, furniture, horizontal surfaces, glass, washrooms and problem areas that require a special set of professional cleaning equipment and products. If you want a spotless clean with proper disinfection, go with the people who do this for a living.

FLEXIBILITY

Outsourcing commercial cleaning services to a professional cleaning company means being able to modify the cleaning schedule to suit your needs. You can customize the schedule to have the contractor come in and clean exactly when you need them to (E.g. daily, weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) This kind of flexibility is very beneficial when it comes to keeping your operational costs low, but still keeping your office space clean and tidy.

SCALABILITY

You can scale the amount of cleaning that you require to suit your budget requirements and time concerns. For example, you can keep the costs down by adjusting the frequency of the cleaning schedule. If you ever need emergency or spot cleaning, your cleaning professionals are only a phone call away.

COST-EFFECTIVE

When you have an in-house cleaning staff, all the necessary expenses – from employee training to the purchase of cleaning equipment/supplies and overhead – are your responsibility. These costs can be substantial; however, if you choose to outsource your janitorial services, they will be covered by your commercial cleaning company.

STANDARDS

Maintaining the highest standards of health, hygiene and professionalism is our number 1 priority. We spend our time and resources to effectively train our staff to ensure that optimal standards of cleanliness, safety, and quality are met at all times.  By outsourcing commercial cleaning services you will have a clean, fresh-smelling place to work and entertain clients.

AVAILABILITY

Outsourcing to a cleaning company means never having to worry about your cleaners calling in sick. The issues of holidays or leaves of absence are replaced with the consistent availability of professional cleaning staff. You are also saved from liability and other concerns with managing additional employees.

ECO-FRIENDLY

Protect the environment by outsourcing commercial cleaning services to a company that is eco-friendly. A contemporary cleaning company will implement ‘green cleaning practices’ and refrain from using harmful chemicals such as bleach in order to keep your workplace healthy and safe.

Hiring a commercial cleaning company saves you time and money while keeping your workplace looking consistently presentable. You’re a specialist in your industry, so please allow the professionals in the janitorial field to take care of your cleaning requirements.

Call Evergreen Building Maintenance – when unsatisfactory service is not an option.

Kelowna Commercial Cleaning Services – Specializing In Daily And Weekly Cleaning Services

Kelowna Janitorial Services – Get Better Results With The Same Budget!

How to Keep Your Facility Germ and Bacteria Free During Flu Season

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Clean and hygienic workplaces are healthy workplaces. Thorough, regular cleaning is vital to ensuring this, because even when an office or building that looks clean, bacteria can still be lying in wait, ready to infect the next person who wanders through. Healthcare facilities, including hospitals and retirement residences, require particular cleaning methods and treatment to avoid the spread of germs that cause infection or illness. The same thing goes for schools and universities, as these are the places where germs spread fastest. Regular cleaning, especially the continuous sterilization of germ ‘hot spots’, is essential to maintaining productive study environments. Follow these important suggestions to keep your building healthy and safe during flu season:

GERM HOT SPOTS

Cleaning isn’t just for some people or some places; it’s for everyone and every workplace. Reducing the incidence and spread of workplace illness has a real bottom line impact on productivity, and limits the number of sick days employees need to take. Regular cleaning is important, especially for contact surfaces, which are areas in your building most often touched or handled by people passing through. Examples include: stair railings, door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, phones, and virtually any item or surface in the bathroom. These hot spots are prime mingling locations for bacteria and germs, and it is essential that they are cleaned thoroughly and regularly to stop the spread of infection and illness, especially during the fall and winter months when cold and flu infections are more prevalent and most likely to affect workplace productivity. As of 2015, Evergreen Building Maintenance maintains six municipal halls, three libraries, a 347 student educational facility, and fifty-eight public restrooms. This kind of experience has taught us how to handle high traffic areas while upholding immaculate levels of cleanliness.

HYGIENIC HABITS

Good hygienic habits contribute to cleanliness, and hand washing is perhaps the most essential habit to stop the spread of germs. In schools, teachers and parents teach children proper hygienic habits to keep them from getting sick at school. Regular hand washing – especially after a cough or sneeze, can significantly cut back on the spread of germs. It’s a simple but essential practice to stay healthy and productive. Employers and facility managers may also consider installing hands-free appliances that make it easier to keep hands clean, such as automatic toilet flushers and sensor-activated hand dryers and soap dispensers. By eliminating these high traffic touch points, you immediately reduce the chances of cross-contamination. Another good idea is to provide regulated hand sanitizer dispensers for when employees, patients or students are unable to get to a sink to wash up with soap and water. Making sure the restrooms in your building are maintained and stocked with the necessary sanitary products (such as soap, hand sanitizer, hand towels, etc.) enables people to maintain proper hygienic habits.

BREATHING IN THE CLEAN AIR

As we spend the vast majority of our day inside, it is essential that any building or office maintains good air quality. Air pollutants that linger indoors include bacteria, dust, and even mold. Clean air is essential in the maintenance of good health, and this goes even further for indoor air where it is usually warmer and where there is less ventilation. Therefore, keep all of your vents clear of any blockages, encourage a more scent-free environment, vacuum regularly with approved HEPA filters and maintain your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

HIRE THE PROFESSIONALS

When something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right, so hire a professional and reputable cleaning company that is specially trained to understand and follow all procedures and requirements for the work that you assign them. Ensure that all cleaning techniques, equipment and products used by the company serve to provide the cleanest environment possible. Look for detailed safety standards and the continuous training of employees in best practices.

A healthy workplace will help your staff be at their best all year round by reducing the spread of infection and decreasing the impact of flu season on their health and productivity. Evergreen Building Maintenance is qualified to undertake any type of cleaning contract, regardless of the size or unique requirements. Our goal is to create a janitorial program that is seamless for our clients. Contact us today to learn more.