12 things to ask any cleaner before you sign
Choosing a commercial cleaner is easy to get wrong, because most quotes look the same on paper and most problems only show up after you've signed. These twelve questions bring the differences out early. Ask them of every cleaner you speak to, including us.
A short buyer's guide from Delta Cleaning. Use it with us, or with anyone else.
Choosing a commercial cleaner is easy to get wrong, because most quotes look the same on paper and most problems only show up after you've signed. These twelve questions bring the differences out early. Ask them of every cleaner you speak to, including us.
About who you're dealing with
1. Who will I actually speak to when something goes wrong?
Ask for a name and a direct number, not a general line. A good answer is one person who owns the problem until it's closed.
2. How quickly will you reply, and how do you measure it?
"Quickly" isn't an answer. Look for a stated time, and the days and hours it applies to.
3. How do I see what's been done and what's been reported?
You shouldn't have to ring to find out whether a clean happened or a complaint was resolved. Ask whether you get a login, a report, or just an email.
About the work
4. Will you walk the site before you quote?
A price given without seeing the premises is a guess. A walkthrough also shows you how the cleaner thinks.
5. Can I see the scope in writing?
Every area, every task and how often. If it isn't written down, it can't be checked.
6. How do you check the quality of the work, and do I see the result?
Ask whether inspections are scored, who does them, and whether the scores are shared with you.
7. Who supervises the cleaners, and how often are they on site?
Someone should be responsible for the people doing the work, not just for the contract.
About risk
8. What insurance do you carry, and can I see the certificate?
Ask for public liability, and the amount. Check it's current, and that it covers the type of premises you have.
9. Do your cleaners have workers' compensation cover?
If someone is hurt on your premises, you want to know it's covered.
10. How are your cleaners checked before they come to my site?
Ask about police checks, and what happens when someone new starts.
11. What chemicals do you use, and do you have the safety data sheets?
A professional supplier can hand these over straight away.
About the agreement
12. What are the terms: length, notice, price reviews and what happens if I'm unhappy?
Ask for them in writing before you sign. Look for a clear process for raising a problem and a clear period for fixing it.
How Delta answers these
- Who you deal with: the owner, directly, and every site has an assigned team leader.
- Replies: within 30 minutes, Mon to Fri 7am to 6pm.
- Visibility: a client portal showing visits, requests and the status of any issue.
- Walkthrough and scope: every site is walked first, and the scope is written down.
- Inspections: scored and shared.
- Insurance and compliance: $20 million public liability insurance, WorkCover in place, safe work method statements, and safety data sheets, all shown to you before you sign.
- Cleaners: police checked.
If you'd like to compare us against your current cleaner, book a walkthrough. We'll go through the compliance pack with you, explain exactly how we work, and you decide. Nothing is signed until you're satisfied.