Switching cleaning companies is a hassle, so it pays to choose well the first time. Whether you manage an office, a clinic or a whole building, these are the questions that separate dependable cleaning companies from the ones you'll be replacing in six months.
10 questions to ask every cleaning company
- Can I see a written cleaning scope? A professional company lists what's cleaned every visit, weekly and monthly, room by room. "We'll clean everything" isn't a scope.
- How many hours per visit does your price include? This is the single best way to compare quotes. A cheap quote often just means fewer hours.
- Are you insured, and can you send the certificate? Ask for a certificate of insurance naming your company or property as certificate holder.
- Are your workers covered by WCB Alberta? Ask for a WCB clearance letter. If an uncovered worker is hurt on your premises, you could be exposed.
- Are your cleaners employees or subcontractors? Neither is automatically bad, but you should know who is in your building and who is responsible for them.
- How are cleaners screened and trained? Look for background checks and real training: WHMIS, product use, security procedures.
- Will the same crew clean each time? Consistent crews learn your space; a revolving door of strangers is a quality and security risk.
- Who supervises, and how often do they inspect? Without inspections, quality slowly drifts.
- What happens when something is missed? Look for a specific answer, like "fixed within one business day at no charge."
- How long is the contract, and how do I cancel? Long terms, auto-renewals and cancellation fees protect the cleaner, not you.
Red flags
- A price given over the phone without seeing the space or photos
- No written scope, or a scope that's one vague paragraph
- Can't or won't provide insurance and WCB documents
- Multi-year contracts with penalties for leaving
- Slow or no response while they're trying to win your business; it won't improve after you sign
How to compare quotes fairly
Put the quotes side by side and compare scope, frequency and hours on site, not just the monthly total. Two quotes for the same Edmonton office can differ by hundreds of dollars a month simply because one plans for half the hours, and those missing hours show up as dusty desks and unrestocked washrooms. Our commercial cleaning cost guide explains how pricing works.
Local matters
A locally owned Edmonton company can usually respond faster, knows the city's buildings and seasons, and gives you a decision-maker you can actually reach. Ask where the company's managers are based and who you'll call when something goes wrong.
We'll answer all ten questions in writing. Book a free walkthrough and we'll send a written scope, hours per visit, insurance and WCB documents and a fixed price. No long-term contract. Request a quote or call (780) 616-8042.