As a building owner, landlord or HOA manager, the building in your care represents a significant investment—your own or others who have entrusted their investment to your management. While few would consider taking on maintenance of an HVAC system or roof replacement a roof, many building owners and managers opt to manage janitorial work in-house, believing it’s less expensive than outsourcing to a third party. Worse, some owners and managers rely on tenants to clean their space, typically resulting in disgruntled tenants and a dirty workspace.
Outsourcing janitorial services can save you money—long- and short-term—and provide other important benefits. Consider these advantages of outsourcing janitorial services to a reputable third party.
- Personnel management. Maintaining an in-house janitorial service may seem like a cost-saver. Yet, that may not be the case when you factor in salaries, benefits, equipment, workers’ comp, and other expenses associated with employees. Also, depending on the size of your janitorial team, the cost of recruiting, screening and training can be significant. In 2023, Zippia Research estimated the cost to hire an in-house janitor was $4,425. Further, maintaining an in-house team adds ongoing personnel management responsibilities, e.g., scheduling, time-off approvals, tax forms, performance reviews, etc. Outsourcing puts 100% of these responsibilities onto the contractor to manage, including addressing last-minute absences and other scheduling issues.
- Cost-efficiency. Personnel costs aside, outsourcing your janitorial services means you’re also offloading the cost of equipment and supplies, including specialized equipment that may have a one-time or limited use. Most third-party services operate on a large scale, allowing them to purchase equipment and refillable supplies (like soap and paper towels) at a much lower per-unit cost and pass on those savings to customers. They will also maintain the equipment to be most efficient, removing the responsibility of equipment repair and replacement from your to-do list.
- High standards and expertise. In this post-pandemic environment, cleaning is more complex. Tenants have high expectations for disinfection and sanitization procedures and expect cleaning products to meet safety standards. Also, commercial operations have varying cleaning needs. A medical services operation or preschool will likely have more stringent cleaning requirements than a typical office building.
Professional janitorial service providers stay current on the latest cleaning technologies, and many are certified in various categories, including green cleaning, medical cleaning and chemical hazards. There are also surface-specific certifications, such as for carpet and floor care. An experienced commercial janitorial services company with multi-faceted expertise will work with owners and managers to identify the right plan for your property.
- Sustaining property value. Professional cleaning service providers follow industry best practices, using the latest innovations in cleaning technology and high-quality cleaning products. Doing so extends the life of carpets, flooring, furniture and equipment, thereby preserving the investment in the property and reducing replacement costs associated with regular use of a facility.
- Flexibility and scalability. Not all janitorial needs are constant. Some businesses have seasonal ebbs and flows, requiring more extensive cleaning at certain times of the year. Even the cleaning needs of multi-family residential common areas may vary, with more frequent cleaning needed in the winter. Outsourcing janitorial services provides scheduling flexibility that is impossible with employees who expect consistent payments. Whether you need daily, weekly or monthly janitorial services or a mix of scheduled and ad hoc cleaning support, a professional janitorial service can create a plan that meets your specific requirements.
- Safety and liability. Industrial properties with machinery call for a unique level of cleaning expertise and represent potential risk and associated liability. Professional cleaning service providers understand such risks and train their teams accordingly. Further, they carry insurance to protect themselves and their clients in the event of an injury incurred on the job or other accidents and damages.
- Brand and image. Engaging a professional janitorial service sends a message to tenants and residents that the building is professionally maintained and embraces a high standard of excellence. For properties with public access, a clean environment is essential to a positive brand. Professionally attired cleaning professionals who adhere to a consistent schedule and level of performance can increase market competitiveness.
Maintaining and preserving our clients’ investments through quality property maintenance, including janitorial, is the #1 priority of Chicago Management Personnel Services, Inc. (CMPS), GNP’s building maintenance and construction services firm. When you’re ready to outsource janitorial services for your building, consider these best practices:
- Assess experience—time in the market and similar client profiles.
- Ask for (and contact) references of clients they have worked with.
- Inquire about the ability to meet unique requirements (cleaning expertise, scheduling, certification, customized plan, etc.)
- Get more than one quote and compare prices. Make sure you’re comparing on an apples-to-apples basis.
A professional janitorial service typically can do more work in less time, adding to the overall efficiencies and benefits of outsourcing janitorial work. Most importantly, it frees building owners and managers to focus on more strategic responsibilities, including maintaining a property’s investment value. If you’d like to discuss your janitorial needs, contact the experts at CMPS.
GNP Realty’s in-house family of diversified companies provides our clients with full-service strategy and hands-on support for all your real estate needs. From brokerage and management to construction and maintenance, we tailor our commercial and residential services to help you achieve your goals as a property owner or investor.
