DIY vs Outsourcing to a Professional Cleaning Company

A clean business goes a long way in creating a good impression on your customers and staff. It presents a welcoming and inviting atmosphere to your customers and boosts the mood and productivity of your employees. Whether you run a care home, a catering firm, a retail business, an office or a school, there are different approaches to cleaning your business. You can choose the do-it-yourself (DIY) option or hire professional cleaners. In this post, we'll explore the pros and cons of tackling cleaning tasks in-house versus outsourcing to help you determine the most effective option for your business.

DIY vs outsourcing cleaning - what's the difference?

Businesses have two key options for cleaning: doing it themselves (DIY) or outsourcing to a professional cleaning company. DIY cleaning involves taking on the responsibility of cleaning tasks, using your own staff and resources. This can mean assigning staff to perform cleaning duties alongside their regular responsibilities. DIY business cleaning gives businesses a degree of familiarity and control over their cleaning operations.

Outsourcing your cleaning involves hiring a professional cleaning company to clean for you. These companies typically specialise in comprehensive cleaning services for businesses. Their staff are trained and have experience using industry-standing cleaning techniques, quality cleaning products and specialised equipment.

DIY cleaning - pros and cons

There are advantages and disadvantages to going down the DIY route and handling your cleaning in-house. Here are some of the pros and cons of DIY cleaning:

Pros of DIY cleaning methods:

• Cost savings: DIY cleaning can be more cost-effective, particularly for small businesses. Tackling cleaning tasks in-house means businesses avoid the cost of hiring a professional office cleaning company and save money.
• Control and flexibility: When you opt for DIY cleaning, you can control the entire cleaning process. You can tailor the cleaning routine and schedule to fit your needs and preferences. You can make immediate adjustments or request additional cleaning when required.
• Direct supervision: DIY cleaning lets you supervise cleaning duties and staff directly. You can ensure that cleaning duties are performed according to your specific standards and requirements.
• Knowledge of business: In-house cleaning staff know the business and have intimate knowledge of the building, facilities and its cleaning needs. They are already familiar with the layout, cleaning challenges and high-traffic areas, which can result in more efficient and targeted cleaning.

Cons of DIY cleaning:

• Lack of training and experience: Knowing how to use specialised cleaning equipment, chemicals, and effective cleaning techniques takes proper training.
• Time and resources: Managing in-house cleaning can be time and resource-consuming, which could otherwise be better spent on core business activities.
• Limited availability: In-house cleaning staff may not always be available to clean, which can pose challenges in addressing urgent or unexpected cleaning needs, especially outside regular working hours.
• Equipment and supplies: DIY cleaning requires investing in your own cleaning supplies and equipment. This means purchasing and replenishing cleaning tools, products and machinery.
• Quality control: The business has full responsibility for the quality and consistency of the cleaning, which can make implementing quality control measures and maintaining accountability more challenging.
• Health and safety compliance: DIY cleaning means businesses must stay up-to-date with the latest health and safety regulations. This includes correct storage and use of cleaning chemicals, safety protocols and addressing potential risks or hazards.

Outsourced cleaning - pros and cons

There are also several pros and cons for choosing to outsource your cleaning to a professional cleaning company, for example:

Pros of outsourced cleaning

• Expertise: Professional cleaning companies specialise in cleaning and have extensive experience, knowledge and training in different cleaning techniques and best practices.
• Time and resources: Professional cleaning companies handle all aspects of cleaning, including staffing and scheduling, relieving businesses of the responsibility of managing cleaning operations.
• Flexibility:  It's common for professional cleaning companies to offer flexible schedules and can provide their services after-hours or during the weekend. They typically have sufficient resources and staff to handle urgent cleaning promptly.
• Customised cleaning solutions: Professional cleaning companies can tailor their services to meet the specific needs of your business. They can create customised cleaning plans based on your business's size and layout of your business along with industry requirements and cleaning preferences.
• Accountability and quality control: Reputable professional cleaning companies have established processes that ensure consistent quality of service, including regular inspections, customer feedback, and promptly addressing concerns. Professional cleaning companies also have liability insurance, so if something goes wrong, financial protection is available.

 Cons of outsourced cleaning

• Increased cost: Hiring a professional cleaning company does require a financial investment. This cost will consider the size of your business, how frequently you require cleaning, any additional services required and the location and reputation of the cleaning company. You'll need to weigh up the cost-benefit ratio to ensure that the benefits gained from outsourcing justify the cost.
• Security and trust: Outsourcing your company cleaning means trusting an external company to access your business premises and potentially sensitive areas. Because of this, many professional cleaning companies carry out background checks on their employees to ensure the utmost security.
• Communication and coordination: Effective communication is essential when outsourcing to a cleaning company. You'll need to provide clear instructions, your expectations for cleaning and your feedback so that the cleaning company understands your business's requirements.

What are the key factors to consider when hiring a professional cleaning company?

There are several factors to consider when hiring a professional cleaning company. Some of the most important things o keep in mind are:

• Reputation and experience: Check the cleaning company's experience and reputation. Read reviews and testimonials from previous customers to gauge customer satisfaction.
• Available services: Determine the cleaning services you need and then check if the cleaning company provides those services. Popular professional cleaning services include general cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, floor maintenance and more specialised services for sectors like hospitality and healthcare.
• Insurance: Ensure the cleaning company has adequate insurance to protect against accidents or damage during cleaning.
• Employee screening and training: Ask the cleaning company about what background checks it does on its staff. Also, ask about their employees' training to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills.
• Green cleaning practices: If environmental sustainability is important to your business, ask the cleaning company about its use of eco-friendly products. Find out whether it uses green cleaning solutions or implements recycling programmes.
• Quality assurance: Talk to the company about its quality control measures. Find out about its inspection procedures and how it ensures a consistent and quality service. It's also a good idea to ask if they have a system for addressing customer feedback and resolving issues.
• Pricing and contracts: Ask the company for a detailed breakdown of costs to ensure you understand their pricing structure. For example, do they base their costs on square footage, an hourly rate or a customised package? You must also check the terms and conditions of the contract, including the cancellation policy.
• Availability: Consider the availability and flexibility of the cleaning company and whether it works with your schedule. Ask them about whether they can provide cleaning services during your preferred hours.
• References: Ask the cleaning company to provide references and follow up with the references to get feedback on their experiences.

How to know which option is right for your business?

Whether a DIY or outsourced cleaning service is right for your business depends on several factors. For instance, the size of your business, available resources, the expertise required, and your budget. In-house or DIY cleaning may be suitable if you have sufficient time, staff and expertise available to handle cleaning tasks effectively. It will give you direct control and flexibility over the cleaning, but it can also be more expensive and require additional management responsibilities.

Meanwhile, outsourcing cleaning to a professional company like Jani-King gives you specialised expertise, financial and time cost savings and convenience. It frees up your valuable resources and ensures consistent quality. It's a good idea to evaluate your needs, conduct a cost-benefit analysis and assess the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision about what's best for your business.

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is crucial for your staff and customers. Contact Jani-King for a comprehensive commercial cleaning services quote that will transform your business. Whether you require general cleaning or specialised services or want to explore our eco-friendly options, we have you covered.