What a Cheap Janitorial Service is Costing You

What a Cheap Janitorial Service is Costing You

Contracting your organization's various cleaning needs through a certified green janitorial service provider has numerous financial benefits, even if you currently employ in-house or outsourced custodial services.

What a Cheap Janitorial Service is Costing You - Fresno CA

How Much is Your Cheap Janitorial Service Costing Your Business?

Many organizations make the mistake of classifying their janitorial service as a necessary expense, as opposed to a trusted business advisor.

Under the classification of necessary expense, janitorial services cost schools and businesses millions of dollars a year in lost productivity, waste, and absenteeism.

When partnered with a certified green cleaning specialist, the relationship takes on a new mantle--simultaneously staunching or potentially reversing the negative cash flow created by inconsistency and management inefficiency while boosting productivity and occupant health.

 

The Cost of Cheap Services

In any industry, inconsistency is the death of quality, and custodial services, whether in-house or outsourced, is no exception--yet schools and businesses tolerate it every day.

According to Gallup;

[sic]...[I]n the not-so-little mind of your customer, consistency is absolutely essential for delivering a world-class customer experience that emotionally engages them.

Why Consistency Is the Key to Profitable Customer Service

Examples include:

  • Inconsistent cleaning product application, exposing building occupants to toxic fumes and chemical exposure, or germ and bacteria-infested surfaces.
  • Inconsistent service days or teams that disrupt operational workflows and cause unnecessary hassles, and;
  • Inconsistent custodial staff management, resulting in poor communication and problem resolution.

 

What a Cheap Janitorial Service is Costing You - Gallup Quote

 

The Cost of Inconsistent Cleaning Product Application

Over or underdosing cleaning product on a surface has one of two consequences:

  1. Either there is too little cleaning product per volume of water, and the surface is not clean or sanitary--likely leading to germ covered surfaces--resulting in excessive student and employee absenteeism/presenteeism, costing a fortune in lost productivity and healthcare expenses, or;
  2. Too much cleaning product per volume of water was applied, resulting in more time than should be necessary to remove the film after the lay-time has expired, or risk worker and occupant exposure to toxic chemicals--also resulting in the loss of small fortunes due to occupant illness, healthcare costs, and worker's compensation claims.

 

The Financial Burden of Employee Illness

Proper dilution is a serious and costly matter if improperly handled.

As noted, underdosing--applying too little cleaning product--or far too short a lay-time will lead to unsanitary working conditions, resulting in occupant illness and costly productivity losses.

According to The Financial Times;

Lost productivity from illness costs the U.S. economy some $227 billion a year...[sic].

[Including] the productivity lost from when the employee is absent as well as when sick employees report to work but don’t perform at full capacity.

[sic]...[T]he wage replacement cost from absent employees (including short and long-term disability and worker compensation), is costing the economy $117 billion a year.

The High Cost of Taking a Sick Day

 

What a Cheap Janitorial Service is Costing You - The Financial Times Quote

 

The Financial Burden of Toxic Chemical Exposure

On the other hand, overdosing non-certified green cleaning products leads to overexposure to toxic fumes and chemicals, resulting in millions of dollars in health expenses, and devastating illness.

A recent paper published by Dr. Teresa Attina reported disturbing statistics:

EDC exposure in the USA contributes to disease and dysfunction, with annual costs taking up more than 2% of the GDP.

The disease costs of EDCs were much higher in the USA than in Europe ($340 billion [2·33% of GDP] vs $217 billion [1·28%]).

The difference was driven mainly by intelligence quotient (IQ) points loss and intellectual disability due to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (11 million IQ points lost and 43 000 cases costing $266 billion in the USA vs 873 000 IQ points lost and 3290 cases costing $12·6 billion in the European Union).

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the USA: a population-based disease burden and cost analysis
Attina, Teresa M et al.
The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology , Volume 4 , Issue 12 , 996 - 1003

 

What a Cheap Janitorial Service is Costing You - The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Quote

 

The Financial Burden of Waste

The ecological burden of a poorly managed janitorial service aside, the direct financial costs of waste removal can become a significant burden if a well-planned product purchasing and life-cycle management plan are not in place.

Waste Management lists their commercial/business prices at between approximately $22 to more than $990 per month, depending on the size of the bin and the type of waste.

Source:

 

The Cost of Inconsistent Service Operations

Inconsistent service operations can manifest in many forms.

Typically, with in-house staff, a lack of training, professional oversight, and necessary equipment will present an inconsistent level of service and sanitation.

This, as previously noted, can lead to a host of health and productivity issues, as well as aggravating customers and employees, and disrupting daily operations, especially if a cleaning emergency arises that inhibits access to necessary facilities, and the needed personnel and equipment aren't immediately available.

With regards to outsourced custodial services, significant issues tend to arise when custodial teams or managers are changed out on a regular basis, or services fall on inconsistent days, resulting in unnecessary management hassles, missed duties, poor communication, and  turnover, lights left on, doors left unlocked, alarms not correctly set, if at all, and missing office keys.

This type of inconsistent service delivery has a negative impact on morale, management overhead, productivity, and customer satisfaction--costing your business, untold thousands of dollars per year.

See Also:

 

The Cost of Inconsistent Management

Inconsistent service operations and delivery are typically the results of inconsistent or unqualified management decisions and practices, usually manifesting in one of two ways, often both:

  1. Poor communication, and;
  2. Poor issue resolution.

Some of the more common issues, for both schools and businesses, that result from poor communication and problem resolution from the janitorial service team are:

  • Increased employee turnover.
  • Increased absenteeism.
  • Poor customer service.
  • Failed project delivery, and;
  • A higher incidence of injuries.

For More Information:

 

The Benefits of Outsourcing Green Partnerships

Outsourcing your organization's janitorial service needs to a certified green cleaning vendor has numerous benefits.

  • The management and cleaning team are always the same, which allows your school or business to develop and build a rapport and trust-based relationship.
  • Your staff is not responsible for the management and oversight of the custodial team--dedicated account managers facilitate the resolution of any conflicts or issues, as well as emergency services, and administrative communication.
  • Staff is always available, with the correct equipment and necessary training to address any issue.
  • Dilution control and chemical management systems are used to eliminate waste and exposure.
  • Certified green products eliminate concerns of toxin introduction into the air and water, as well as physical contact with occupants.
  • Microfiber is demonstrably more effective than cloth or cotton alternatives.
  • Product purchasing and life-cycle management are handled by the provider, significantly reducing costs when compared to a full in-house solution.
  • Additional, complementary services, such as zero-waste initiatives, recycling programs, as well as gamification and employee engagement recommendations are available.
  • Consistent scheduling is maintained to provide a reliable and uniform level of service while eliminating management frustrations.
  • Green cleaning products have a demonstrable effect on occupant health and performance resulting in improved performance, cognitive function, and productivity.
  • Outsourcing eliminates liability and worker's compensation claims due to repetitive motion injuries, common to the industry.

 

References & Resources

 

Takeaway

Inconsistent and poorly managed janitorial services create an unnecessary financial strain on schools and businesses.

Ill-advised practices on the part of inadequately trained personnel using the wrong cleaning product and equipment lead to health issues, injuries, property damage, and potential litigation.

Poor communication and inconsistent service schedules and levels create worker and customer frustration that leads to high churn and absenteeism.

Additional losses can be observed when static and traditional business practices are surpassed by emerging sustainability movements that are strongly favored by emerging demographics.

Outsourced green janitorial services can eliminate the hassle of management tasks while providing a safer and healthier alternative to traditional cleaning practices with a better return on financial investment.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of contracting a certified green janitorial service provider for your school or business, contact us today for a free quote!

In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 395-3009

In Fresno CA, call (559) 473-1790

In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 395-3009


Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley

Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley