Yesterday, I prepared a janitorial quote for a small facility (We provide janitorial services in Phoenix Az). They're having an employee's family do the office cleaning, probably to "save money". But much of what they need done - windows, burnishing, spot cleaning touch points - is either for extra pay, or not available.
Got a look in the janitor's closet. Feather duster, household chemicals (and not much of them), dust-mop (filthy), no MSDS book. Commercial janitorial supplies are easily available, even to the small guy. The potential client has no idea if the crew carries worker's comp insurance, or a liability policy; the former office manager set up the arrangement, and was a bit informal.
Hard to see how they are really saving money. Besides the extra billing and "not available" hassles, the quality of work, and the health downside of the service (no touch point sanitation, no indoor air quality procedures), consider the legal and financial risks of OSHA violations (lack of MSDS sheets means that the chemicals stored and used in the firm's workplace are endangering the firm's employees); also consider the lack of comp and liability insurance, and the potential financial downside.
Talked through most of the above with the new office manager; she's beginning to realize that "saving money" could cost lots of money.
A bit about us:
My firm, CBN Building Maintenance, provides commercial cleaning services in Phoenix AZ and the wider metro area. We've been in business since 1974; hold the BBB's A-plus rating; and have long been in the forefront of the industry in environmentally sensitive cleaning for health, safety and security. Our program can generally improve Indoor Air Quality, in the size range of most allergens, by a factor of 50%, as reflected in our ongoing IAQ sampling.
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Posted by: Jason Strong | 04/12/2013 at 11:58 AM
Jason - thanks! I've been impressed with Porter myself; we first noticed Homeland Security's IMAGE program (http://www.cbnclean.com/security.html#image)through an article on Porter's participation, in one of the monthly trade journals. CBN and Porter are the only Charter members in the country.
Posted by: Bob Croft | 04/12/2013 at 12:11 PM
These are some really great tips on how to save money while hiring a janitorial service. I think I will let my company in Seattle now about this. Thank you.
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Posted by: Rodries Sumner | 04/25/2013 at 09:46 AM