No matter what size your company is, commercial office cleaning is something you simply can’t afford to overlook. An unclean and dingy work space can affect the health, morale, and the productivity of people working for your organization.
According to a study, unplanned absences from work cost about $225 billion per year and the productivity losses went by up to 54%. No wonder, it makes sense to invest in commercial cleaning services to make sure your workplace is a clean, hygienic, and inviting space.
However, business owners often struggle to manage cleaning operations and their expenses. This mostly stems from the fact that they may not have used a commercial cleaning service before.
Many don’t have a clear perspective into what type of cleaning requirement their company has on a day-to-day basis. If you’re not sure where to get started, here are some factors that will help you plan your office cleaning budget accurately.
Define a SOW (Scope of Work)
The SOW defines the type of cleaning you need and the results you desire. Here are some things you need to ask yourself in order to define the SOW:
- Do you need a full office cleaning?
- How frequently do you need the office to be cleaned?
- Do you need the cups and mugs to be cleaned or you use a vending machine?
- Do you need the toilets to be cleaned?
- Who will clean the office equipment?
Calculate the Area that Needs to be Cleaned
You need to accurately measure the area that needs to be cleaned. This is because some commercial cleaning companies may charge you on a per square foot basis. If you don’t have enough resources to get the area measured you can ask the cleaning professionals to do it for you.
Communicate Clearly
It’s important that you communicate your requirements to the cleaning company very clearly, at the very outset. Specify everything that needs to be cleaned such as the chairs, tables, counters, individual equipment, sinks, cups, toilet, kitchen and everything else. If you fail to communicate properly the cleaning service might take up a short-cut technique to clean the premises. You also need to specify whether you need sanitation after cleaning.
You must also discuss whether you need to provide the supplies or they would be provided by the cleaning company since it will affect the overall cleaning budget.
When the Cleaning Should be Done
Thorough cleaning might disrupt the working schedule; so you need to plan out the cleaning schedule. Most cleaning companies offer after hour cleaning to ensure the normal business operations are not disturbed, but one thing that business owners must factor in is the electricity costs. The larger the office is, the higher will be the electricity costs. So you can ask the cleaning services to perform their duties at daytime during the weekend so that you can save on the electricity cost.
How Frequently Do You Need the Space to be Cleaned
The frequency of cleaning would depend on the type of business. Some businesses require more frequent cleaning than others. For instance, a dental clinic needs to be cleaned several times a day to ensure hygiene, whereas a retail store would need just a few days in a week. Consult with the cleaning company and decide how frequently the cleaning needs to be done.
Once you have the details in hand, you can talk to several commercial cleaning companies and get quotes from each. This will help you compare the services and rates and make an informed decision. You may also consider negotiating the rates with a company that you prefer working with.
A reputed and well-established commercial cleaning company would perform a thorough inspection of the office premises, factor in the items and areas that need to be cleaned and then provide you with a quote. This quote should contain a detailed break-up of the services provided and the rates charged for individual services. This will give you a clear picture of where your dollars are being spent, and if it’s all worth it.
A Final Thought About Office Cleaning Budget
Creating a commercial cleaning budget can be a first step towards a cleaner and safer workplace. Proper planning will help you keep the cleaning costs low and get optimal outcomes. This also affects the company’s bottom line in a positive way. If you need assistance learning more about how to create an office cleaning budget for your business, we are happy to help you determine the level of cleaning your business needs and offer the right office cleaning budget accordingly.
