1. Choose a Company With Experience in Commercial Cleaning

Commercial cleaning is vastly different from residential cleaning.

A business may have reception areas, employee workspaces, washrooms, kitchens, conference rooms, carpets, hard floors, entrances, and other surfaces that require entirely different levels of cleaning and maintenance. The cleaning requirements also vary depending on the type of business.

For instance, a medical office will have different sanitation requirements than an educational facility or a retail store. Services Pro has immense experience working with commercial, retail, medical, and educational facilities, offering fully customized commercial cleaning services.

2. Ask for a Customized Cleaning Plan

Every facility is unique. An office building that accommodates a few professionals will have different cleaning requirements than a commercial retail store or a multi-story corporate building.

A competent commercial cleaning company will be able to offer customized cleaning plans depending on:

  • The size, layout, and foot traffic of your facility

  • The number of employees and daily visitors

  • The number of washrooms and breakrooms

  • The specific type of carpets and hard flooring

  • The number of high-touch surfaces needing daily sanitization

  • The operating hours of your business

Instead of settling for a standard, out-of-the-box cleaning package, it is always best to request an individualized cleaning plan.

Cleaner sanitizing high-touch surfaces in a medical office environment.
3. Compare Scope of Services, Not Just the Price

One of the most common mistakes that businesses make when hiring cleaning services is focusing solely on the bottom-line price. A cheaper cleaning option may provide fewer services and ultimately fail to meet the specific health and aesthetic needs of your business.

Before comparing prices, make sure to understand exactly what services are included in the cleaning plan and what additional services you may need to purchase later. The cleaning scope should clarify:

  • Cleaning products, tools, and equipment

  • The frequency of cleaning visits

  • Whether window washing and carpet cleaning are included

  • Whether high-touch surfaces are sanitized

  • Whether deep cleaning is available as an add-on option

As Services Pro’s commercial cleaning guidance suggests, comparing the scope of services, equipment, and quality control measures is far more critical than focusing on the lowest quote.

4. Check Quality Control and Inspection Procedures

Consistency is one of the most important advantages of hiring a professional commercial cleaning company.

Your facility may look good after the first clean, but is the quality consistent throughout the month? Ask the cleaning company about their quality control procedures: Does the company have a supervisor who conducts regular cleaning inspections? Are there active customer feedback loops?

In case of unacceptable cleaning standards, you should be able to request additional cleaning or easily file a complaint. Professional cleaning companies have to develop strict standard operating procedures and conduct regular, unannounced cleaning inspections.

5. Ask About the Cleaning Products and Equipment

The equipment and products that the cleaning company uses will directly impact the quality of the clean and the health of your working environment.

You should ask whether the cleaning company uses professional-grade equipment such as HEPA vacuums, color-coded microfiber cleaning cloths, and commercial-grade floor cleaning machines. Additionally, verify that they use appropriate cleaning products specifically designed for your carpets, hard floors, and surfaces.

Whenever possible, select from environmentally friendly cleaning options that use EcoLogo and Green Seal certified products. Professional janitorial services such as those offered by Services Pro can supplement building maintenance and indoor air quality control.

6. Make Sure That the Company Offers Flexible Scheduling

Scheduling is another essential consideration. Make sure that the company can easily accommodate your business’s unique workflow.

Some businesses benefit from evening cleaning or cleaning on weekends. Others need recurring cleaning services on a weekly or monthly basis. It is important to ask about one-time cleaning services, seasonal cleaning, and special event cleaning. For instance, an office space may need office cleaning after business hours, whereas a retail store requires cleaning before opening doors to the public.

7. Consider Industry-Specific Cleaning Requirements

Not all cleaning companies are the same. If you own a medical office, a dental clinic, a school, or a commercial warehouse, you need a company that has distinct experience working with similar facilities.

Medical facilities, daycares, and fitness centers have significantly stricter sanitation requirements than standard offices. Services Pro offers specialized commercial cleaning services tailored for offices, medical offices, dental clinics, schools, daycares, warehouses, fitness centers, banks, churches, and community centers.

Professional eco-friendly cleaning products and HEPA vacuum used by janitorial services.
8. Look for a Local Commercial Cleaning Company

It is always a smart idea to look for local recommendations. Local businesses in Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto have location-specific needs.

For instance, the harsh, cold winters in Canada drastically impact entrance maintenance in commercial facilities due to snow, salt, and slush. Hiring a local cleaning company means you receive expert advice on how to maintain your entrance during winter months. Services Pro provides commercial cleaning services directly in Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto.

9. Ask About Communication and Customer Support

Even the most competent commercial cleaning company needs excellent customer support. Make sure that you have a reliable point of contact in case of any issues or emergencies.

A competent cleaning company offers flexible communication via email, phone calls, or a dedicated website portal. As Services Pro’s customer support page emphasizes, having a reliable person or team to contact when you need to reschedule, request an additional clean, or report an issue is essential—especially for businesses managing multiple commercial properties.

10. Focus on Long-Term Value

Hiring a professional cleaning company is not a one-time expense; it is an investment in the longevity of your property and the daily experience of your employees.

Professional cleaning helps your business manage floor and carpet lifespans, provides a clean working environment that boosts employee morale, and contributes to a positive, professional image. The best commercial cleaning companies focus on ensuring your facility is consistently maintained rather than just relying on reactive spot cleaning.