Why managing cleaning services “in-house” can hinder business growth

We have all been burned by DIY going wrong at some point in our lives. 

It always takes longer than we think, and it ends up costing more than we think too. But the biggest DIY fail is that it takes a lot of time. Time away from other tasks that are inevitably by your lack of availability to complete them. 

The same is true when you try to manage office cleaning services “in-house”. This is a false economy and can hinder the growth of your business. Read on to find out more, and the best solution to this issue. 

An example you may be able to relate to

When the cost of living crisis hit last year, I decided one of the ways I could save money was by getting rid of my window cleaner. I already had a pressure washer so I just invested in one of the (very) long extender arms and a window cleaning head. After all, how hard could it be to do it myself? The window cleaner always made it look easy. 

As it turns out, it’s harder than it looks. While the window cleaner has all his equipment at the ready in his van (because that’s his trade), I had to carve out a lot more time. Just setting up the pressure washer takes a while. I have to find the long hose and waterproof outdoor extension cable, make sure I have the detergent plugged in correctly and change into clothes I don’t mind getting soaked. Why is it that the window cleaner can do it without getting even slightly damp, and I always end up looking like I have gone for a swim? On top of that, that long pole is a lot heavier than I thought. Fill it with water and it’s almost unmanageable when trying to reach the 2nd floor. 

The consequences of my money-saving experiment were clearly not worth it. I get soaked to the skin (horrible in winter), it takes up a morning at the weekend when I would much rather be doing other things, and I have hurt my back! Not to mention that my windows are dirty far more often because I always delay cleaning them for too long because it’s such an arduous task. I think I might give my window cleaner a call. 

Office DIY cleaning 

This story might resonate with you if you are trying to manage your office cleaning “in-house”. Meaning handling cleaning tasks using internal employees rather than outsourcing to a professional cleaning service. This might seem like a great way to save money but just like my DIY window cleaning, it brings with it a host of issues, not least of which is that it can hinder the growth of your business. Let’s take a look at some of the issues. 

1. Diversion of resources 

Cleaning is a time-consuming task that requires dedicated efforts and attention to detail. When employees are assigned cleaning duties on top of their regular responsibilities, it diverts their focus away from core business functions. This can result in reduced productivity, missed opportunities, and delayed projects.

2. Lack of expertise

Professional Worcester cleaners have the experience, training, and specialised equipment to efficiently and effectively clean commercial spaces. In-house employees may not have the same level of expertise and may not be aware of the best practices and industry standards, leading to subpar cleaning results and potential damage to equipment or property.

3. Increased costs 

While it may seem cost-effective to handle cleaning in-house, it can, in fact, lead to higher expenses in the long run. Businesses need to invest in cleaning supplies, equipment, and training for employees. Additionally, the cost of using valuable employee time for cleaning can be much higher than the cost of outsourcing to a company with expertise in commercial cleaning in Worcester.

4. Reduced employee morale 

Assigning cleaning tasks to employees who were hired for other roles can lead to reduced job satisfaction and lower morale. Employees may feel undervalued and may be less motivated to perform at their best in their primary responsibilities. This can then lead to them moving on to another role elsewhere faster than they would otherwise. A high rate of employee “churn” can hinder the growth of your business. 

5. Safety and health concerns

Commercial cleaning often involves using chemicals and equipment that require proper training to handle safely. In-house employees may not have the necessary knowledge or experience to handle these substances, leading to potential safety hazards and health risks.

6. Inefficiency and inconsistency

In-house cleaning may lack consistency in quality and frequency. Different employees may have varying cleaning standards and habits, resulting in an inconsistent and inefficient cleaning process. Not to mention that employees assigned to specific cleaning tasks may not always be in the office. What if they are needed elsewhere, are off sick or on holiday? Who picks up their cleaning tasks on top of their own cleaning schedule and their day job? Something has got to give and often, it will be their level of productivity for the job they were hired to do. 

7. Limited scalability

As your business grows and expands, the cleaning requirements will also increase. In-house cleaning may not be easily scalable to accommodate the growing needs, leading to a strain on resources and potential neglect of cleaning tasks. A good commercial Worcester cleaner will be able to scale resources in line with your business growth, freeing up the time and resources of you and your staff. 

8. Lack of accountability

When cleaning is managed in-house, it may be challenging to hold employees accountable for the quality of their work. In contrast, a company which specialises in commercial cleaning in Worcester will have service-level agreements and can be held accountable for the results they deliver.

False economy!

While managing cleaning in-house may seem cost-effective initially, it can hinder business growth in the long run due to reduced productivity, increased costs, and a lack of expertise. Outsourcing cleaning to professional companies allows businesses to focus on their core competencies, maintain a professional image, and ensure a clean and safe environment for their employees and clients. If you are not sure where to start, speak to our team, who will be happy to discuss how we can develop a cost-effective bespoke cleaning contract that frees your employees up to focus on growing your business.