How to Hire a Janitorial Service: 12 Essential Questions to Ask

Knowing how to hire a janitorial service can make the difference between a spotless, well-maintained facility and one that fails to meet cleanliness and safety standards. Whether you manage a corporate office, industrial site, or retail space, the key is asking the right questions to ensure you choose a provider who can meet your specific needs.
Here’s a checklist of 12 questions to guide you through the janitorial service hiring process.
1. What is your employee screening process?
A reliable janitorial provider should have a comprehensive screening process that includes background checks, drug testing, and structured onboarding. This ensures trustworthy, qualified staff are assigned to your facility.
2. How do you train your cleaning staff?
Ask about initial training programs, ongoing education, and any industry certifications. Well-trained staff can handle your specific cleaning requirements with skill and efficiency.
3. Do you offer customized cleaning plans?
Every facility has unique needs. A quality janitorial service should offer tailored plans that address your specific challenges, schedules, and goals.
4. What quality assurance processes do you use?
Look for regular inspections, performance evaluations, and client feedback systems. These indicate a commitment to consistently high standards.
5. How do you handle staffing during emergencies?
Absences and emergencies happen. Your provider should have contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted service.
6. What cleaning products and equipment do you use?
Inquire about eco-friendly products, advanced equipment, and compliance with health and safety regulations to ensure safe and effective cleaning.
7. What are your hiring practices?
The best providers often recruit locally but screen centrally to maintain consistent quality while supporting the community.
8. Do you have experience with facilities like ours?
Industry-specific experience means your provider understands the unique cleaning requirements and compliance standards for your type of facility.
9. How do you handle special cleaning requests?
A provider’s flexibility in addressing non-routine cleaning tasks is a strong indicator of reliability and customer focus.
10. What is your approach to employee retention?
High staff retention often means better service consistency. Ask about benefits, training, and career development programs that keep staff engaged.
11. Can you provide references or case studies?
Reputable janitorial services should be able to share client testimonials, case studies, or success stories that demonstrate their quality of work.
12. How do you ensure compliance with industry regulations?
From OSHA standards to local health codes, compliance is critical. Make sure your provider follows all relevant safety and regulatory requirements.
Final Thoughts on How to Hire a Janitorial Service
If you’re wondering how to hire a janitorial service that’s reliable, professional, and adaptable, start by asking these 12 questions. At Sizemore, we take pride in our rigorous employee screening, customized cleaning plans, and commitment to employee engagement—ensuring your facility is always in expert hands.