Commercial Cleaning Contracts: What Should Be Included?

Many business owners feel a vague sense of dissatisfaction with their commercial cleaning provider. In many cases, less-than-stellar companies promise rates and services verbally but do not deliver as agreed. A specific and thoughtful contract will form the basis for positive business relationships and will provide grounds for termination if the agreements and terms are not met.

All companies should include specific information about pricing and scheduling in their contract. For instance, companies should list their monthly rate and should specify which days of the week they will come into the building to work. Many companies also add clause that states that prices will remain the same for at least a 12-month period. If this language is not in the contract, then ask your provider to include it.

All services provided should be clearly spelled out in the commercial cleaning contracts. Some services should be performed daily, such as cleaning bathrooms and employee areas. Other services, such as floor cleaning and vacuuming, may be provided every other day. Additional services such as window washing may be provided on a monthly basis. Whatever your preferences and schedule, they should be clearly written into the contract.

All commercial cleaners should provide license and insurance information as part of their contract. Cleaning companies should also be bonded depending on the job, which means that the company accepts responsibility for anything that employees may do during the course of work. Licensure, bonding and insurance are all evidence of a high-quality company that stands behind its work. These elements also protect businesses from any theft, injury or damage to property by a cleaning company employee.

Your contract should indicate who supplies cleaning products and equipment. Some businesses maintain their own cleaning equipment onsite, but most companies provide equipment like vacuum cleaners, mops and brooms. Businesses should also decide if they plan to provide their own cleaning products or use the company’s standard products. Businesses concerned about chemical interaction with the environment should choose a company that either uses environmentally friendly cleaners or allows the company to purchase its own products.

In addition to including the monthly rate, the contract should include specific information about invoicing. Cleaning companies should indicate when they send out invoices and when payment is expected. For example, most cleaning companies send out invoices between the first and the tenth of the month and expect payment by the end of the month.

Your cleaning company should indicate whether they assess finance charges for late invoice payments. If they do, then the contract should spell out the exact percentage charged, which is usually around 1.5 percent. The company’s invoices should also list any finance charges levied against the business.

Most cleaning contracts include a termination clause. The vast majority of contracts with cleaning companies run month-to-month, which means that businesses must give their cleaning provider 30 days notice of termination. Some cleaners place additional language in their contracts stating that businesses must give them between 30 and 60 days to attempt to resolve problems. However, that language is difficult to enforce in a court of law because the circumstances are usually subjective.

Accepting the services of a cleaning company without a clear contract will result in many headaches for business owners down the road. By taking the time to negotiate a clear and thorough contract, you will lay the foundation for a good experience and for a long-term relationship with your cleaning provider.

These are some examples of the window cleaning work we have done throughout the valley.

While we where there working, standing in front of the window, you could feel your body heating up from the sun exposure.  As we applied the tint you could see and feel the difference making the customer very happy.

With a lifetime warranty to top it off this customer is very happy!

 Loft Window Tint

Before and During Install Pictures.

Call for a free estimate for your window tint project.

602.539.PANE

V.W.S  is now offering window tinting for commercial and residential customers (NO AUTO).

Having your windows tinted is a great way to reduce the heat and glare and cut down your electric bill. Tinting is affordable and recommended by APS.  View our Window Tint Phoenix page for more info.

There is a new museum opening soon with a very unique theme.  It is called the “Museum of Clean” and it will be located in Pocatello Idaho. Don Aslett owner of Varsity Contractors LLC has been in the industry for over 50 years and knows a thing or two when it comes to the cleaning industry.  I think this is a great idea and glad someone is bringing a spotlight to an industry that is often forgotten.

About the Museum Of Clean

The idea of the museum is to teach about everything clean!  The museum was built in a historic building and has received rave reviews and support from the local community.  Mr. Aslett is even known to challenge patrons to a window cleaning battle now and then.

The museum is a “Green” museum with everything from a roof top garden to  recycling over 104,000 gallons of run-off water.

Their inventory has over 6000 items with items dating back as far as 2000 years.  There is even stuff to do for little kids which shows them the importance and tips for cleaning their rooms.

View more from there web site:  Here

Museum of Clean Video

Check out the story of the award winning window cleaning robot.

Museum of Clean

Window Cleaning Robot: Winbot

There is a new window cleaning robot that has hit the market.  Most window cleaning professionals are at least familiar with the big machines like  IPC’s High Rise machine.  However, it looks like there is a new kid on the block.

A Taiwan based company created “Winbot”.  The creater Chao Chih-mo said the bot can be used on windows up to 10mm thick.  From the sounds of this it looks like it will be used on a smaller scale as compared to the High Rise machines.  The company which introduced the project is said to market it mainly to retail and department stores.

The window cleaning robot has certain technologies that appear to give it a advantage over the naked eye.  They are reported as saying it is, “able to detect the cleaning area on its own using automatic navigation technology and infrared sensors”. The maker said it can operate about 5 times faster than human window cleaners.  However, nothing beats the human eye!

Winbot goes for about $330 US dollars and is expected to hit the market by years end.

Window Cleaning Robot: Gold Medal

The robot one a gold medal in the 2010 iENA Nuremberg International Trade Fair. How many window cleaning robots do you know that can win a Gold medal?

Photo and News Source

We are in the middle of a graffiti glass repair project here in Phoenix AZ.  There are a total of 21 panes that we will be removing graffiti from.  The first slide show is showing all the panes of our graffiti glass repair.  Once we are completed with this project we will show the after pictures.

Graffiti Glass Repair- Details

Total Panes=21

Estimated Cost To Replace= $10,500

Cost To Repair= $3500

Savings= $7000

Veterans Window Services

Also check out our window cleaning phoenix  services!

602.539.PANE  (7.2.6.3)

Graffiti Glass Repair Phoenix AZ

Seems like a simple question but if you ask 10 window cleaners you will most likely get 10 different answers. Ok, to be fair it is a loaded question. There is so much to think about when asking that question.  You could be referring to tools, technique, or a combination of both. If you had to sum it up to someone what is the best way to clean windows? 

I started cleaning windows with very little knowledge of “how” to do them.  Yet, I managed to do pretty well for myself. I watched lots of videos and even had a couple friends who owned businesses that offered window cleaning. So I went and watched them do it and studied their techniques trying to figure out the best way to clean windows. They all seemed to do it about the same with a few differences.  They had a cool name to call it “the swirl” or “the S method”. They all looked very cool to watch.  From a customers perspective I’m sure I could get a crowd to gather but which one is the best?

Best Way To Clean Windows:  Fast?

At first I wanted to be fast everywhere I looked some “professional” window cleaner would talk about how fast he is.   I would even read it on the window cleaning blogs or professional window cleaning forums how the best window cleaner is the fastest. I could hear people saying only professionals do it this way or do it this way because it’s faster. I get you want to get in and get out as quickly as possible.  Train your staff to be quick and keep your overhead costs down and your profitability up right? But is that the best way to clean windows?

Clean Windows= The Best Way To Clean Windows

So ultimately in my opinion nobody is wrong or right. As the saying goes there is more than one way to skin a cat.  No matter which way you choose to clean your windows if the end result is you have sparkly clean windows then what does it matter the route you took to get there. That’s your best way to clean windows.  I’ve seen people who are very fast at cleaning windows and think they did a great job only to have a customer feel like they are not getting quality service.  Maybe the customer didn’t think they were getting their monies worth- who knows.

For us at Veterans Window Services it doesn’t matter which technique we use.  We educate our customers on the process of their cleaning which makes them feel comfortable in the process and understand what we are doing while we are there.  This gives the customer ultimate peace of mind and creates a great working environment.   That’s our best way to clean windows!

Often times when we are doing a residential window cleaning we get asked about our tools and tricks to cleaning windows.   Most of the time these questions revolve around cleaning exterior windows.  Cleaning the outside of windows can be tricky but with the right tools you can do it your self and make it a little easier on your self.   There is nothing worse than trying to do a job and coming up short.  You will experience this most of the time if you don’t have the right cleaning equipment.   If you dont have the right equipment for your exterior window cleaning you will do a bad job that will lead to streaks. Obviously if you get your windows cleaned by a professional this will not apply to you.  This is more for the DIY crowd. WARNING:  Climbing up ladders and using window cleaning equipment can be dangerous if you don’t feel comfortable you should not try this.  Call in a pro!

Tools For Cleaning Exterior Windows

Having the right tools will make everything go smooth and give you great results.  Here is a list of tools that you can find at your local hardware store. If for some reason your hardware store doesn’t carry them.  Look up a local janitorial company they will carry anything the hardware store doesn’t have for cleaning exterior windows.

• Ladder- Make sure it will reach your highest window.  For most track homes a 24ft extension will be fine.  If you have a home larger than 2 story you could buy one or rent one depending on your financial situation. I recommended spending the extra money and getting a nice one specially for cleaning exterior windows.  (Saftey First) 
• Bucket-  You can get either a free standing bucket or a bucket (BOAB) on a belt.  The preferred method is going to be getting a BOAB.  This will allow you to hold some water and your tools while climbing the ladder while keeping your hands free.
• Squeegee-  There are many different types and lengths.  I would recommend a 12 in or 18 in depending on the size of your windows. If you have large windows the 18in will make it easier and faster to clean exterior windows but either one will get the job done.
• Window Scrubber-  This tool is what you will use to scrub the window and agitate all the dirt.

• Dawn Dish Soap-  Every window cleaner uses their own type of soap.  There is often “soap war” discussions between window cleaners on which one is better.  Basically it’s tough enough to clean your kitchen ware and strong enough to cut through grease and grime.  Bottom line it works excellent to clean exterior windows, or any window.
• Lint free Rag- The easiest to find is going to be what are called huck towels or surgical towels. They are 100% cotton and are great for window cleaning. You will use them to detail the edges of the windows.

Cleaning Exterior Windows: Process

First, you want to fill  up your BOAB with some water. Add a couple drops to the water (add more for dirtier windows).  Insert your window scrubber and let it soak up some water.  Go to the window you want to clean and scrub the window with your window scrubber.  Make sure you scrub real well.  Next pull out your squeegee and start from the top left and pull the squeegee from left to right angling the squeegee top slightly to the right.  After each pull across the glass you want to wipe off the squeegee rubber with one of your huck towels.  Repeat this process until your done with the window.  Once you are complete you will want to detail the glass. Fold a clean huck towel in half and stick two fingers into it wrapping your fingers.  Now trace the edge of the glass where it meets the frame.  Use a new clean spot on the huck towel for each side of the glass. Once you have completed this stand back and look at your work.  If you notice any spots you can touch them up with a clean portion of your huck towel.  Follow this process on the remaining windows. Cleaning exterior windows will be quick and you will get great results by following this process. Of course if you have any problems with your windows (spots, acid etch, hard water) or you dont feel like doing it your self then call in a pro.  The window cleaning cost is reasonable and the results are always guaranteed!

Cleaning Exterior windows brought to you by VWS.

Kill The Window Cleaner: True Story

Now this is strange to say the least.  This originally came across my radar because the two main characters are business owners of a window cleaning business.  I thought it was a weird story when it first broke but I didn’t want to publish it because of the nature of the article.  However, now there is a weird twist to it that just makes it so much more interesting. Who would want to kill the window cleaner?  Read More Below!

Kill The Window Cleaner

‘A wife today pledged to take back her window cleaner husband even though he has admitted trying to hire a hitman to kill her.

Graeme Dust, 45, tried to poison his wife Nina over six months by spiking her tea and hot chocolate with sleeping tablets, the Old Bailey heard. Then he attempted to take out a contract on her life only to discover that the would-be assassin was a policeman.

Today she watched from the public gallery as Dust pleaded guilty to administering a poisonous substance with intent and soliciting murder in October last year. He had originally been charged with attempted murder but today prosecutors accepted his not guilty plea. After “careful consideration” and discussions with Mrs Dust, they decided to leave the charge on the file and substitute an alternative count of poisoning.

The couple are partners in a window cleaning business run from their Enfield home. Prosecutor David Markham said there had been a series of “suspicious incidents” between October last year and April when Mrs Dust “experienced or tasted bitterness” in her drinks.

Forensic tests revealed that Dust had been spiking them.

As a result of a tip-off to police by a member of the public the Met’s Serious Crime Directorate launched an inquiry which led to Dust meeting an undercover officer in April. He was recorded in a car attempting to arrange the murder of his partner, the court heard.

James Scobie, defending, said: “From the recording of the conversation in the vehicle with the undercover officer and this defendant it is clear the discussion is with a view to the murder of his wife.”

The court heard Dust had a history of depression and other issues but no previous convictions. Mrs Dust, also 45, had shown a “clear determination on her part” to reconcile with him and has visited him in prison.

Dust, who appeared by videolink, was remanded in custody for reports and will be sentenced next month.”

Kill the window cleaner?  Window cleaners everywhere beware!

From The London Evening Standard.  Link to original article is above.

Check Out are Post on: How to Choose a Window Cleaner here.

Kill The Window Cleaner Article