2 Ways to Save Money on Your Janitorial Program

As a manager overseeing janitorial services, you likely juggle many other responsibilities and purchasing choices. Though I don't know your precise circumstances, it's clear that you often face pressure to reduce costs. In today's competitive business environment, managing expenses effectively is essential.

When it comes to janitorial services, as with many other services, cutting costs can sometimes mean sacrificing quality. The challenge for any facility manager is to find the balance between maintaining high service standards and keeping costs low. There's a saying in the construction industry: "You can have it cheap, fast, or good—pick two." This idea often applies to the cleaning industry as well.

But is it possible to lower costs while still maintaining a high standard of cleanliness? Can you reduce expenses without reducing quality?

Here are two potential solutions:

1. Reevaluate the Scope of Work

In the janitorial sector, approximately 60% of expenses are tied to cleaning labor. To cut costs, you need to reduce labor hours. One way to achieve this is by reevaluating the scope of work. Often, cleaning routines are established without considering if they are truly necessary. For example, some offices in your facility might have low foot traffic. Cleaning these offices once a week might be sufficient, even if the current schedule requires daily cleaning.

Conduct a thorough assessment of your facility and determine the real cleaning needs of each area. Which tasks are essential on a daily basis? How frequently does trash need to be removed? Is daily vacuuming necessary in office spaces, or only in common areas? Collaborate with an experienced cleaning contractor who can provide recommendations on the most efficient ways to keep your building clean.

2. Separate Project Work from the Monthly Bill

Many companies overspend on their cleaning contracts due to project work such as floor buffing, stripping and waxing, and window washing. These tasks are crucial for a comprehensive cleaning program, but some contracts include a predetermined amount of project work each year, which is billed monthly. Often, this work is not needed as frequently as specified or it is skipped, resulting in wasted money.

We recommend negotiating a unit price for these additional services and scheduling them as needed. This approach can lead to substantial savings over the course of a year.

By reevaluating the scope of work and separating project work from your monthly bill, you can reduce costs without compromising the quality of your janitorial services. Working with a skilled cleaning contractor can help you identify and implement these cost-saving strategies effectively.