7 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Janitorial Contract

Switching janitorial vendors is disruptive, so it's worth getting the decision right the first time. The lowest bid is rarely the cheapest option once you factor in missed visits, turnover, and the hours you'll spend managing a vendor who needs managing.

Ask these seven questions before you sign. One: Are you insured and bonded, and can I see documentation? Two: Will the same team clean my facility, or a rotating crew? Three: How do you handle staff turnover and training? Four: What does your quality-check process look like, and do I get documentation?

Five: Who is my point of contact, and how fast do you respond to issues? Six: What happens if something isn't done right — what's the remedy? Seven: How flexible is scheduling if my needs change?

The answers reveal more than the price ever will. A vendor who assigns a fixed team, documents their work, and gives you a real person to call is one you'll stop having to think about — which is the entire point of hiring one.