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And actions you can take to resolve it
There could be multiple reasons why your cleaning company isn’t meeting your standards. It might be that they underestimated the workload, management has changed, or perhaps they’re prioritizing other clients.
But how can you tell if your janitorial provider is losing interest in your account?
Here are SIX indicators that may suggest they’re no longer fully invested.
1. Frequent Complaints from Your Staff A cleaning service should keep your team’s environment pleasant and trouble-free. While minor issues are normal, if complaints like, “We keep running out of restroom supplies,” or “My workspace is dusty every week,” are becoming common, it could mean your cleaning provider isn’t keeping up with the basics.
2. Less Communication from the Management Team When you first hired them, you may have seen the management team frequently checking in. Now, communication has all but disappeared. Ask yourself when you last received proactive outreach from your cleaning company. If it’s been a while, they may not be prioritizing your business.
3. Delayed Response to Issues Oversights happen, but if you report something like missed trash collection and receive a slow response, it’s a concern. Delays in returning calls or emails could be a sign that your contractor is either overloaded or no longer fully invested in your account.
4. Constant Staff Changes in Your Cleaning Team The cleaning industry has high turnover rates, but if your facility is seeing an endless rotation of new faces, this may point to instability within the service. If your entire cleaning crew changes frequently without any notice, it might be time to ask questions.
5. Use of Outdated or Damaged Equipment Do you notice worn or broken equipment being used in your facility? If your cleaning crew is relying on equipment that looks patched up or past its prime, it’s a red flag. This might indicate that your contractor is no longer investing in proper resources for your account.
6. Ongoing Changes in Your Main Contact If your point of contact within the company changes regularly, it’s often a sign of deeper organizational issues. High turnover in these roles can reflect a poor company culture, which may affect the quality and consistency of service you receive.
Steps to Take If You Notice These Red Flags
If these signs sound familiar, consider the following steps:
1. Schedule a Meeting to Discuss Your Concerns with the Vendor Share specific examples: “Why is there constant turnover on our cleaning team?” or “Why has your response time gone from a few hours to days?” Addressing these specifics can help identify the core issues.
2. Clarify Your Service Expectations Sometimes, expectations may not have been laid out clearly at the start. Your vendor might not be aware of what’s most important to you. Discuss your requirements openly and allow them time to make adjustments.
3. Be Prepared to Look for a New Vendor Many cleaning contracts include a 30-day notice period for service concerns. If there’s no improvement after you’ve addressed the issues, be ready to move on to another provider.
4. Prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) in Advance Once your vendor knows your concerns, it’s a good idea to draft an RFP so you’re ready to seek out new providers if necessary. If the situation improves, then you’ll have an RFP ready when the contract term is up.
By recognizing these signs and taking proactive steps, you can help ensure that your facility remains well-maintained and that your cleaning service meets the high standards you expect.