There are easily over 1,000 cleaning companies in Singapore today. And guess what? All, if not most, will claim to provide professional cleaning services. But how do you go about the process of hiring a cleaning company that is right for you or your business? What are some of the cataracts to look out for? Do you feel like you are trying to find a needle in a haystack?
Here are some guidelines and considerations that should help you make a more informed decision about the cleaning company you choose to hire.
Step 1: Do your research
Spend some time thinking about your needs:
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What services do you require? Just office cleaning? Office cleaning with pantry and kettle services?
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How often must services be provided? Daily, weekly or monthly?
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Do you require any other additional or specialized service, such as dust removal or high pressure jet washing?
Step 2: Time to Shortlist
Shortlist your top three cleaning companies of choice. From there, be sure to call them for a face-to-face meeting and site visit of their facility. It’s one thing to ask for quotes to be emailed to you, but when it comes to the final selection of a cleaning company, it’s best to have a face-to-face meeting.
Step 3: Ask the right questions
During your face-to-face meeting with the cleaning company representatives, be sure to ask how long they have been in business, about the cleaning techniques used, the equipment available, and last but not least, the availability of hand working. The barriers to entry into the cleaning industry are fairly low, which means that you have to be very diligent about asking the right questions to ensure that the cleaning company can deliver what they promise.
Step 4: Know your people
The cleaning business is a people business, so be specific about your cleaning crew requirements. Do they need to lift heavy objects? Do you need to provide tea maid services? Is it enough that the cleaner can speak in a language other than English, or do you need a cleaner who is fairly fluent in English?
What happens if your assigned cleaner is on sick or annual leave? Will the company be able to provide “breakdown cover” – that is, place a temporary cleaner at your work site to minimize service interruption within a reasonable amount of time?
And don’t forget to ask if the cleaners have attended at least 1 module under EC’s WSQ Framework or the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Certificate of Skills in Cleaning Operations (Health Care). This is a mandatory requirement for cleaning staff in Singapore.
You will also want to ensure that the shortlisted cleaning company has a valid NEA cleaning license to legally operate in the Singapore context.
Step 5: Is it just about the money?
Most service buyers make the mistake of asking for price first and base their decision solely on this. Don’t get us wrong. Price is an important consideration, but if you want to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for in terms of other intangibles like reliability of service, a skilled and professional workforce, etc., make sure you work through steps 1 through first. 4. This way, by the time you get to step 5, you will have a clearer and more informed decision on the service provider of your choice and you will know that you are getting the best value for money.