Helpful Tips To Select a Contractor

Insurance

Is the contractor adequately insured? Is their policy carried with an A rated or better insurance company? Are the limits set high enough to protect your facility? BSCAI recommends an aggregate minimum of $1,000,000 with an additional $1,000,000 umbrella policy for general liability insurance.

Bidding and Estimating Knowledge

Do they possess the knowledge to accurately price the contract? Proper work loading is critical to providing quality service. Cleaning Connection applies industry recommended production rates to properly staff accounts. A low price may be tempting, but beware; the contractor may not be able to deliver the services as promised. Usually an “under bid” contract causes the facility or property manager more headaches in the long run than the cost savings prove to be worth.

Supervision

Does the company provide adequate supervision at the worksite? Is there an area manager that keeps a “close eye” on quality control, safety and client needs? Cleaning Connection assigns each cleaning team to an area manager that is directly responsible for the teams training, safety, motivation and quality assurance.

Training

Is there a formal training program in place? While cleaning may seem elementary, there are many safety precautions and systems necessary to properly maintain any facility. Properly trained associates will consistently outperform their under-trained counterparts. Formal training is also very beneficial because it helps to prevent injuries to employees, as well as damage to the facility. The Cleaning Connection training program is second to none; we follow the Building Service Management Program authored by BSCAI.

Human Resource Management

Does the contractor have a well-organized and effective system for recruiting, hiring, training and continually educating its employees? Are there employee benefits and incentive plans to encourage quality and commitment from their staff? Are all supervisors and other managers properly trained to manage people and are they required to participate in a program such as BSCAI’S RBSM (registered building service manager) series?

Quality Management

Does the contractor have a TQM (total quality management) program in place? This is critical to the long-term success of a maintenance program. A TQM is a comprehensive outlined program to manage the daily, weekly and monthly quality level that the company is delivering. This is a program that is implemented through cleaning associates, supervisors and area managers. Each level of account management is responsible for a different part of the program and ultimately the information comes together to assess performance. After the assessment process, necessary changes are made to correct any problems or inefficiencies and to prevent reoccurrence.

Employee Screening and Selection

Are all employees screened properly? Proper screening should include Criminal background screening (in all states and counties where applicant has lived), Social Security Number verification and present/past address verification. Cleaning Connection partners with ADP® Screening and Selection Services to procure comprehensive background reports.

It is our hope that you will find this information helpful in selecting your next cleaning contractor. Our total service package is designed to be a comprehensive long-term solution for your building service needs.