Most businesses only change cleaning contractor when something has gone wrong — cleaners not turning up, standards slipping, invoices creeping. Choosing carefully the first time saves all of that. Here are the ten questions we'd ask any contract cleaning company, including us.
1. Are your cleaners employed, or subcontracted?
Employed staff are trained, supervised and accountable to the company you're paying. Subcontracted labour is cheaper for the contractor and often less consistent for you. Ask directly.
2. What vetting do you do?
At minimum: identity and right-to-work checks, references and DBS checks. For schools, nurseries and healthcare settings, enhanced DBS is essential. Ask to see the process, not just the claim.
3. Can I see your insurance and compliance documents?
Public liability and employer's liability insurance certificates, risk assessments and method statements (RAMS), and COSHH data sheets for the products used on your site. A professional company has these ready.
4. Will I get a written specification?
A specification lists exactly what is cleaned, how often, and to what standard. Without one, "clean the office" means whatever the cleaner decides that night. Insist on it, and make sure it's attached to the quote.
5. How many cleaner-hours per visit is the quote based on?
This is the number that explains price differences. A cheaper quote almost always means fewer hours. Compare hours, not just pounds — see our guide to commercial cleaning rates.
6. Who supervises the work, and how do I raise an issue?
You want a named supervisor who audits the site, and a simple channel — a communication book, WhatsApp group or email — with a response-time commitment.
7. What happens when our regular cleaner is off?
Holiday, sickness and turnover happen. The right answer is "a briefed cover cleaner attends and you're told in advance", not "we'll catch up next visit".
8. What's the notice period?
Twelve-month tie-ins with automatic renewal protect the contractor, not you. Rolling monthly agreements with 30 days' notice mean the company has to keep earning your business.
9. What's included and what's extra?
Consumables (toilet roll, soap, liners), periodic deep cleans, carpet and window cleaning, and consumable dispensers are the usual grey areas. Get them itemised.
10. Can you give me a reference from a similar site?
A company cleaning a comparable premises — size, sector, hours — should be happy to connect you with the client.
Ready to compare? Book a free site survey for commercial cleaning in Manchester or office cleaning and we'll answer all ten in writing.
About the author: this article was written by the team at Danitam Multi Resource Cleaning Services, professional cleaners based in Wythenshawe, Manchester, providing domestic, commercial and specialist cleaning across Greater Manchester. Guide prices are correct at the time of publication and are reviewed regularly.