If you’re in charge of cleaning services at your place of work, you probably also make a lot of other buying decisions. Chances are, you’re always being asked to cut costs. In today’s world, businesses are always looking for ways to spend less money without sacrificing the quality of their services or products.

Reducing costs in your cleaning program might seem like it would automatically mean your building won’t be as clean. The big question for anyone managing a facility is how to spend less without letting the cleanliness or appearance of the place suffer. There’s a saying in the building world that goes, “Cheap, fast, or good – pick two.” This idea applies to cleaning services, too.

So, is there a way to lower cleaning costs without compromising on cleanliness? Here are two smart strategies that might help.

#1 – Modify Scope of Work

A big part of cleaning costs, about 60%, comes from paying the cleaning staff. To cut costs, we need to look at reducing the hours they work. One way to do this is by changing the cleaning schedule. Sometimes, areas are cleaned more often than needed because that’s just how it’s always been done. For example, if there are offices that don’t get much use, maybe they don’t need to be cleaned every day.

Take a good look at your building and think about what really needs to be cleaned and how often. Which tasks need to be done every day, and which can be done less often? Working with a cleaning company that can suggest the best ways to keep everything clean and tidy without overdoing it can make a big difference.

#2 – Pay Separately for Project Work

Over time, I’ve noticed that a lot of money gets wasted on cleaning contracts that include big jobs like floor polishing or window washing in the monthly bill. These are important for keeping your facility looking great, but you might not need them as often as the contract says, or sometimes they might not get done at all.

A better approach is to agree on a set price for these extra services and then schedule them only when you really need them. This can lead to significant savings over a year.

Finding the Right Balance

Picking the right cleaning service is all about finding a good fit. Does the company understand the specific needs of your facility? Do they have the right team in place to address those needs promptly? Are they experts in the kind of cleaning you need? If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you’re on your way to choosing a cleaning service that will work well for you and your budget.

By rethinking your cleaning schedule and how you pay for big cleaning projects, you can save money without having to compromise on having a clean and welcoming facility.