Balancing your business expenses can feel like walking a tightrope.
Lean too far one way, and the quality of service may drop; too far the other, and expenses can skyrocket.
This balancing act is particularly evident when managing your cleaning services. Your goal is clear: keep costs manageable without sacrificing the cleanliness of your facility.
However, asking a janitorial company for a lower price often results in reduced service quality. So how do you strike that perfect balance between cost and quality? Below are two methods that can help you cut back on expenses without compromising your facility’s cleanliness.
1. Adjust the Scope of Work
In the cleaning industry, roughly 60% of costs are labor-related. Reducing labor hours is an effective way to bring down your bill, and you can do this by revisiting and adjusting your scope of work.
Many companies set up a cleaning schedule and stick to it out of habit, rather than need. Reviewing your facility’s actual cleaning requirements can reveal areas where the cleaning frequency can be reduced.
For instance, perhaps you currently have certain offices cleaned every day, even if they don’t see much use. If these areas don’t receive a lot of foot traffic, it may make sense to reduce their cleaning to once a week. Common areas that get a lot of activity may still need daily attention, but low-traffic spaces likely don’t require it.
Action Tip: Walk through your facility with a fresh perspective. Identify areas that need daily cleaning and those that could have the frequency reduced. Maybe vacuuming in general office spaces could happen weekly, while high-traffic zones are cleaned more often. Partnering with a knowledgeable janitorial provider can help you identify cost-saving adjustments without sacrificing cleanliness.
2. Remove Project Work from Your Monthly Invoice
Project work—such as stripping and waxing floors or washing windows—can make up a significant part of your monthly bill. While these tasks are important, including them in every month’s bill as a standard line item might not be necessary.
Some contracts build in project work based on a pre-set schedule, whether or not it actually needs to be done that frequently. This arrangement can result in unnecessary expenses for services that could be handled on an as-needed basis.
A more efficient approach could be to set a unit price for these extra services and schedule them only when required. For instance, instead of paying for window washing every month, you might find that twice a year is sufficient. This way, you only pay for what you need, when you need it.
Action Tip: Ask your cleaning provider for a unit price on special services like floor stripping, window washing, and carpet cleaning. Then, arrange for these services as needed rather than pre-scheduling them for the whole year. By paying only for the services you use, you can significantly reduce your overall janitorial costs.
A tightrope walker’s success comes from finding that perfect balance. If your cleaning costs are making it hard to stay steady, consider these adjustments to help you find your footing.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to optimize your cleaning program, contact us for a free consultation. We can help you build a customized cleaning plan that meets your needs and budget.