Questions to ask before hiring a commercial cleaning company

What exactly gets cleaned, and how often?

Scope is where most cleaning relationships succeed or fail. Get a clear, written breakdown of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks so there is no debate later about whether something was 'included.'

• What tasks are done every visit versus weekly or monthly?
• Are restrooms cleaned, disinfected, and restocked on every visit?
• Does the price include consumables like paper towels, toilet paper, and trash liners, or are those billed separately?
• Are floors, glass, baseboards, vents, and high-touch surfaces on a schedule, and what is it?
• How many nights or days per week will you be on site?

Who is my point of contact, and how fast do you respond?

You need to know who to reach and how quickly they will answer when something goes wrong, because something eventually will. A named human who replies within one business day is worth far more than a generic support line.

• Who is my single point of contact for service issues?
• What is your typical response time to a request or complaint?
• How do I reach you - phone, text, email - and after hours?
• If something is missed, how quickly will it be corrected, and at what cost?

What products do you use, and are they safe for my space?

Products matter for safety, for sensitive environments, and for the surfaces in your building. A medical or dental office, a food-prep area, and a space with allergy-sensitive staff each have different requirements.

• What cleaning and disinfecting products do you use, and who supplies them?
• Do you offer low-odor or green-certified options for sensitive spaces?
• Do you understand dwell time for disinfectants, so surfaces are actually disinfected and not just wiped?
• Are your products appropriate for my floor types and finishes?

How are your cleaners trained and vetted?

The people in your building after hours represent your business and have access to your space. Ask how they are hired, trained, and supervised.

• Are cleaners employees or subcontractors?
• How are new cleaners trained on your standards and on my specific scope?
• Do you run background checks on staff who work unsupervised?
• Will the same person or small team clean my space consistently?

Are you insured, bonded, and willing to provide a COI?

This is non-negotiable. You need protection if property is damaged or someone is hurt on your premises. Ask for documentation, not assurances.

• Do you carry general liability insurance, and what are the limits?
• Will you provide a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) that names my business as an additional insured?
• Do you carry a janitorial bond to cover employee theft?
• Is your workers' compensation coverage current for your staff?

If you want to understand exactly what each of these terms means and how to verify them, read our explainer on cleaning insurance, bonding, and COIs.

References, backup coverage, and contract terms

References and retention reveal what a sales pitch cannot. Talk to current clients and ask about consistency, quality over time, and how complaints get handled.

• Can you provide two or three references from current commercial clients of similar size?
• How long does your typical client stay with you?
• Have you worked with businesses like mine - medical, retail, office, property management?

Backup coverage and the agreement itself

Finally, pin down coverage and commitment. You want to know the work still happens when your regular cleaner is out, and you want to understand exactly what you are signing.

• How do you cover my route when the regular cleaner is sick, on vacation, or quits?
• Is the agreement month-to-month or a fixed term?
• What notice is required to cancel, and are there early-termination fees?
• Is pricing flat monthly or hourly, and is Florida sales tax shown separately on the invoice?

On that last point: in Florida, commercial (nonresidential) cleaning is taxable, so expect the 6 percent state rate plus any county surtax added as a pass-through line on your invoice. A vendor that bundles or hides it should explain why. Some companies, including ours, offer month-to-month flexibility or a lower rate if you commit - it is worth asking which options exist before you decide.

Frequently asked questions