In the cleaning service world, there is a fine line between appraisals and complaints, and it all comes down to documentation. This blog delves into how vital quality control and documentation are for client satisfaction. A perfect job can quickly be ruined by a dirty pair of shoes, so documentation not only validates the cleanliness achieved by your staff but also solidifies client trust, offering a competitive edge in the industry. Why Quality Control and Documentation are Important for Your Cleaning Company Your employee cleans the last spot on the floor, leaving a shiny, and spotless floor. But just after the cleaning staff has left, one of the client’s employees steps in with their dirty boots. They had forgotten their keys. Now the floor is dirty, and who gets the blame? You and your cleaning team, unfortunately.  This could all be prevented with some solid documentation. The practice of documenting is a safety net, both for you and your staff. Evidence for if anything is wrong, or for claims against accusations. It goes hand in hand with quality control.   Engaging in quality control means actively ensuring that your cleaning company maintains the standards agreed upon by you and the client. […]

This blog takes you further into environmental sustainability and GHG account, by giving you ideas for goals and sustainable initiatives your cleaning company could take to meet your sustainable goals. Furthermore, we give you an overview of important factors of the GHG account and how to formulate a report on GHG. What to Know Before Creating the GHG Account: Scopes and KPI The global, standardised measurement is called the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), where every company reports their collected climate footprint. The creation of an annual GHG account is time-consuming, but the first time is the most difficult because the CO₂ data needs to be sought from scratch. Next year, you have a starting point. There might be changes in method, results, and goals, but then you have your template from last year. Here is a guide on what to report and which goals could be realistic and useful for a cleaning company: What to Report: Scopes The three scopes are a categorisation of a company’s different types of emissions and wider value-chain. They are used in the GHG protocol and account for the total CO₂ emissions of a given company. The 3 scopes according to the Office for National […]

Environmental sustainability benefits your cleaning company and helps you stay competitive. Many companies report a GHG account annually, explaining their environmental impact and sustainable measures. It is not only becoming a requirement, but it also gives a significant advantage when attracting clients and investors. But what are the rules for reporting your company’s emissions, and what is an ESG report?  Understanding the Importance of GHG Account and Environmental Sustainability Embracing environmental sustainability positions your business favourably in the eyes of investors, clients, and other stakeholders who increasingly value eco-conscious operations. It is not only valued, but is becoming a requirement with the so-called ESG reports. Environmental sustainability is the practice of using sustainable and renewable sources to counter climate changes. The point is to sustain and protect the environment, and not overheat the planet with fossil fuels. Focusing on environmental sustainability means having a GHG account, to show how your company minimises the CO₂ emissions.  All companies directly or indirectly emit CO₂, because they buy or sell products, or provide services. Companies need to account for this, which is done as a GHG account. GHG stands for greenhouse gas, and is a system and protocol for recalculating everything into CO₂ […]

The European Union is implementing new rules for Working Time Regulations. However, with Brexit, the UK are implementing their own legislations. What are the rules now, and how does it affect the cleaning business? In this article, we explain the current rules on WTR in the UK. We also have a look at the effects, with the pros and cons for your cleaning business. Moving Away from the European Union: Working Time Regulations in the UK The UK Government is planning to remove the EU Ruling, a ruling which states that employers must register their daily working hours each day, through an accurate and reliable system. The UK Government wants to give the companies an opportunity for less administrative work. The EU arguments that daily work hour registration, will help avoid uncompensated over-time and support a healthy work-life balance. Therefore, the UK and the EU see WTR differently, but what does it mean for your cleaning business? UK Current Working Time Regulations: What You and Your Cleaning Business Need to Know  The UK Government want companies to follow the existing Working Time Regulations, which means more liberal choices when it comes to time registration. However, there are still some registering […]

Setting the right cleaning price for a client can be a daunting task. What if they choose a cheaper competitor, or I underbid myself? The reality is that inflation, a rise in wage, and unforeseen expenses may force you, at some point, to raise your service price. In this article, we guide you on how to have a successful conversation about price increases with your client, and how improvements in your cleaning business can be arguments for said price raise. Why Raising Rates are Critical for Your Business’ Survival: A Deep Dive into the UK Economic Landscape Many events have affected the UK economy during the past few years, with increases in various expenses. As a consequence, every cleaning business needs to reevaluate and set the right cleaning price to continue earning a sustainable profit. The Political Influence on the Cleaning Industry’s Economy An immediate reason for raising and setting the right cleaning service price now is the increase in the National Living Wage, effective April 2024. The UK Government has increased the national living wage by almost 10%, in pounds, from £10.42 to £11.44. Even if you paid your staff more than this, the general rise creates pressure to […]

As the year comes to a close and holiday celebrations are around the corner, we look back at the main challenges the cleaning industry faced in 2023 and will continue to face in 2024. However, this article shows you how new trends in the cleaning industry can be used to overcome the challenges and ensure the success of your company for years to come. Our goal is to help your business thrive. These trends in the cleaning industry include issues of labour shortage, rising inflation, and higher wages. We also talk about the demands for sustainability, green cleaning, higher efficiency, and the ongoing stigmatising of “unskilled” cleaning-staff and the occasional language barrier. Labour Shortage and Inflation in the Cleaning Industry There is a huge labour shortage in the UK. This is one of the main economic trends in the cleaning industry today. The Office for National Statistics’ reported a record high in job vacancies in 2022, with little to no improvement as of November 2023. This is no exception for the cleaning industry, and it only looks as if those numbers will remain high in the future. The other issue is the inflation. Prices on supplies are rising, and as […]

Running a cleaning business means handling many tasks and facing challenges that affect your success. From client engagement to quality control, each facet plays a vital role in delivering exceptional service. However, these tasks can become increasingly intricate as your business grows. In this article, we explore how embracing cleaning business software can streamline your operations and pave the way for sustainable success. We’ll delve into the advantages and potential roadblocks of digital transformation, helping you make an informed choice for your cleaning company’s future. Operations and Challenges in Running a Cleaning Business Running a cleaning business involves a complex web of interconnected operations and challenges that impact its success. Let’s take a closer look: 1. Client Engagement and Cleaning Appointments Client engagement initiates with discussions about specific cleaning needs, including cleaning frequency, task details, and unique requests. Accurate communication here is critical to meet client expectations. 2. Scheduling and Planning After client agreements are made, scheduling appointments becomes a significant task. This entails aligning client preferences with staff availability, often involving a meticulous review of existing schedules and potential reshuffling to accommodate new appointments. This process grows in complexity as the business expands, potentially leading to overlapping bookings and […]

Getting your prices just right is a bit like preparing a proper British roast. Too much heat, and you risk turning away potential clients. Too little, and you’re simply underselling your hard-earned expertise. The ideal price? Now, that’s the golden roast potatoes of your Sunday dinner. Price it right or pay the price! As a cleaning company, nailing down the perfect price for your commercial cleaning services can be a make-or-break deal. It’s all about crafting the right commercial cleaning quotation. Stop shooting in the dark and hoping for the best. It’s time to crunch the numbers and calculate with confidence. In this article, we’ll unleash the secrets to help you determine the correct price for commercial cleaning. Get ready to level up your pricing game and watch those profits soar! Indeed, the simplicity of business boils down to this – your income should outpace your expenses. But, how can you provide a commercial cleaning quotation if your costs are a mystery? Guess and hope? If so, you’re not alone! The cleaning sector is its own beast, unique in its pricing and operations. Varied tasks, different frequencies, and occasional extras can make things complex. Price fixation is rife, and many […]

The thought of organising insurance cover sends many of us into a fit of panic, or causes a collective rolling of the eyes. Yet doing your homework and ensuring that you’ve selected the right policy and cover, could be the difference between your business continuing to trade and you not being able to fulfil your clients’ requirements. Robbie Spear, Director at Gleaming Insurance, talks us through why spending time researching your options is crucial, and makes sound business sense. It is often said that an insurance policy (business, home, motor etc), and by default an insurance company, is only of real value when you need to make a claim. And, whilst a claim under your home or car insurance policy can be inconvenient and, in some circumstances, quite emotionally traumatic, it’s pretty unlikely that it will effect your livelihood and/or jeopardise the reputation and standing of your business. What do you need to consider? When it’s time to start reviewing the insurance cover required for your cleaning business (ordinarily, it’s advisable to start doing this around 30 days before your renewal date), there are some things that you absolutely need to consider… Firstly, what are the risks in my business […]