Janitorial Staff vs Cleaning Agencies: Which is the leaner and cleaner machine in Dallas?

Maintenance facility care is a must-have for a business in any industry. Most experts agree that a commercial cleaning company allows things around the office to run smoother, but choosing between an in-house janitor staff or hiring a commercial cleaning agency for your office maintenance can get a little messy. Here are 5 factors that can help to clear the clutter and allow you to make the right decision.

Price:

One of the major differences between in-house (or provided) janitorial staff and commercial cleaning agencies is certainly one of the money. When a company hires in-house janitorial employees, the owners are responsible for those employees’ salaries, and the cost of expensive equipment, like floor waxers, vacuum cleaners, and others that can run an investment cost of a few thousand dollars, and insurance. And by that same token, facility managers are responsible for coordinating training and appropriate classes for those in-house staff. Depending on the size of the janitorial staff, these costs can become a burden on a company’s budget. Not only is it expensive to maintain a janitorial staff, but it can be difficult to fill these positions. And if your building or office doesn’t require more than a few hours a week of cleaning, most staff janitors aren’t going to be able to make a living from this and may seek additional employment. This can lead to high turnover rates that can also drain a company’s resources.

A cleaning agency’s work is contractual, so commercial building managers only pay a commercial cleaning company a flat fee for their commercial maintenance services. Professional commercial cleaning companies can also guarantee a one-stop competitive price for other unexpected maintenance beyond cleanings, such as fixing a jammed door in an educational facility or a healthcare facility’s plumbing issue. By having multiple partnerships with local utility maintenance providers, a good commercial cleaning company can save a facility manager both time and money should a larger problem arise within the facility, such as structural damage.

Customer Service:

Since office facility janitors are usually paid a flat rate for their services, there are not too many incentives to go above and beyond typical maintenance duties besides close relationships with company staff. Many commercial cleaning companies train their team members to not only nurture these same relationships with company staff but there are also a few commercial cleaning companies that put their money where their service is. Some professional, comprehensive commercial cleaners like Allied Facility Care have a built-in profit share in their team member’s pay that is tied to client satisfaction. So when you’re happy with how your facility looks, everyone from the CEO to the team members is thrilled too.

A common quibble against commercial cleaning companies in the (what feels like) radio silence once contracts are signed and work begins. Many office managers complain of having to take time out of their day to hunt down a regional manager to discuss even the smallest issues. If this is an ongoing issue for your office or a future concern, choosing a commercial cleaning company with a leaner staff structure (and stellar reviews) can save you from having to get the “run-around” from a large chain of command of an aloof cleaning corporation.

“There are large companies out there that provide certain services. They’re good companies, but a lot of times the client is not dealing with the owners or president. So when the client is having issues and is going through a chain of command they get passed on, and passed on,” says Jason Tidwell, the 35-year-old CEO of Allied Facility Care, who believes ensuring a leaner commercial staff allows his clients to more easily reach him, for anything they may need. “We’re locally owned so my wife and I deal directly with the decision-makers or the owners of facilities.”

Skills:

Common cleaning skills such as sweeping/mopping floors, washing windows, and taking out the trash are standard for both janitorial staff and commercial cleaning companies. There many staff janitors that are skilled in advanced facility care, but many of the skills of in-house employees peak in a short amount of time since their work experience is isolated to one facility environment.

For industrial facilities that need a little more maintenance care than average home chores, commercial cleaning companies are structured to train team members in the art of pressuring washing, recycling programs, handyman services, and more technical maintenance needs. Even just one commercial cleaning team member can have a dynamic experience of facility maintenance care with a wide range of different industries, more so than a larger number of in-house employees.

Management:

Riddle time: what does an employee need besides salary and benefits to function?

A. Managing B. Monitoring C. Supervising D. All of the above E. None of the Above

Now let’s change the question.

On top of all your other managerial duties at your company, which of these would you have time to give to a maintenance worker in your building?

A. Managing B. Monitoring C. Supervising D. All of the above E. None of the Above

If you chose any of the answers on A-D on question two, a janitor staff for the maintenance care for your facility could be a great option for you. Like any department in a company, janitorial staff needs leadership and a level of supervision to make sure facility care is at the standard that your company has set. Unless you or your company would rather pay a supervisor, you get to handle “D” for maintenance all by yourself along with everything else you need to get done!

If you chose “E” for question two, a CA would be the no-brainer for you. Commercial cleaning companies hire directors and managers to supervise and make sure all of their team members reach beyond the maintenance standards for facility care. This takes the extra strain of office management duties off of you.

Whether you choose to grow an in-house maintenance crew or building a solid relationship with a commercial cleaning agency for your facility care, make sure you know what you’re signing up for.

Call Allied Facility Care at 1-888-316-3234 to receive a facility audit/evaluation and get more acquainted with your options.