Tailoring commercial cleaning contractors to your business needs

Engaging commercial cleaning contractors involves developing a specific, comprehensive plan for cleaning your office, so a commercial cleaning contract that suits your needs may include the car park, the executive boardroom and everything in between.

But what should that plan include? What commercial cleaning contractors services are available that you may not be aware of? And what are your obligations under the agreement?

Different levels of service

Many quality commercial cleaning contractors offer a 'one-stop' service. Most provide all the services a typical office building uses and all can be included in a service agreement.

It is your responsibility to decide, for instance, the level of cleaning the kitchen requires: do the dishes get cleaned, and the fridge? Commercial cleaning contractors will quote on different levels of service and detail, such as:

• Kitchens – general cleaning, dishes, surfaces, fridges, appliances
• Bathrooms – cleaning, sanitary disposal, restocking supplies
• Waste-paper disposal and recycling – including secure disposal of sensitive documents
• Removal and recycling of e-waste – including delivery to accredited recyclers
• Furniture cleaning and polishing
• Light fittings – maintenance, replacement and disposal of bulbs
• Internal and external window cleaning
• Graffiti removal
• Garden service
• Blind cleaning
• Floors stripped and re-polished
• Driveway/car park cleaning

What are my legal obligations when engaging commercial cleaning contractors?

"Typically," says John Laws, Executive Director of the Australian Contract Cleaners' Association, "they will focus on access and safety, but might include issues specific to your office, like disposal of certain types of waste and working around your staff."

Your responsibilities can be defined as follows:

• Provide reasonable access – cleaners must be able to access the premises and deliver and use the required equipment. Issues of cleaning around staff during daytime hours should be considered.
• Electricity and water – cleaners will need access to electricity for machines, and water. A safe means of disposing of waste water may also be required.
• Security – provide a secure working environment for cleaners. This is relevant to cleaners operating in public spaces, offices or premises without the presence of other cleaners or security staff.
• Insurance – cleaning contractors must be insured for any damage they cause. Businesses, however, should also check their insurance agreements for cover.
• Workers' compensation – contractors will provide workers' compensation for their staff. Most contractors will help you identify any potential risks.

When quoting on a job, commercial cleaning contractors will discuss these needs and how you can meet them.

Ongoing service

Just like your regular employees, you want to ensure that your cleaning contractor does a good job and continues working for you. You can make their job easier by providing ready access to your premises, space to store their equipment and access to the tools they need.

Minimising potential hazards and ensuring that cleaners have a safe and secure environment to work in are also important to maintain an ongoing relationship with your contractor.

It's all about communication

Phone commercial cleaning contractors for a free site assessment- not only will they help you devise a commercial cleaning contract specifically for your business, they will give you a range of price options and details of where your responsibilities begin and end.