Ask This Before Hiring Janitorial Services

Janitorial services are considered to be a professional and economical solution to keep residential and commercial space clean and tidy. These services also provide a flexible cleaning solution for cleanliness needs of both residential and commercial establishments. Especially for dual-career households or offices working round the clock, janitorial services offers a sanitary living environment but it is imperative to choose commercial cleaning services after considering factors such as cost, flexibility and control that the service offers you.

Hiring A Janitorial Service - Use This Comparison Checklist

While cleaning companies tend to have their own checklist, there are a number of questions that a consumer might have while considering these services. Common questions are –

·         how long they have been in the cleaning business

·         do they guarantee work

·         will they have a dedicated service representative

·         do they offer full service cleaning etc.

·          

Cleaning services require customers to be specific about their requirement, hence one needs to analyze the type of service required - carpet cleaning, utility cleaning, outdoor cleaning, before looking for a service provider.  Customers can use the Internet to find reviews and references about the service provider they choose and they could even esquire about their latest cleaning work to call/check the quality of their work. The Internet can also help one find free, no obligation quotes for services.

With a little research, one can surely find bonded and insured cleaning service providers which cater to special cleaning needs and also hires employees and not sub contractors. These companies will send trusted, trained background checked employees to homes or offices. Legitimate cleaning service providers will ensure that their employees are trained for cleaning standards such as OSHA and are covered by L & I insurance as well.They should also be able to send individual cleaners or cleaning teams based on the size of the job and the schedule.

Janitorial Jobs: Online Job Boards Can Help

Janitorial staff members provide a vital role on cleaning up homes and organizations. Although there are no formal educational requirements for janitorial jobs, generally employees start with simple tasks and move on to complex tasks after they have been trained by experienced staff members. To find janitorial jobs, one can use job search websites, message boards online to search by location without a job description.

Basic Janitorial Tasks

The janitor is key to cleanliness. Without a janitor, buildings will fall into disrepair. Trash would overflow, dirt would pile up on the floor, dust would form a thick layer on computer screens and desks, food would rot in the fridge, and machines would never get repaired. A janitor is responsible for so much that often we forget how crucial he or she is to the smooth operation of the building.

Janitors have literally hundreds of job duties per day. They remove trash, vacuum, sweep walkways, and clean and disinfect surfaces. Removing trash and debris is important to maintaining a clean building. They also perform heavy cleaning duties, such as removing hazardous waste or disposing of chemicals. They check that alarm systems and sprinkler systems are working. They may rewire systems and change batteries. Janitors also restock depleted cleaning supplies, such as bleach, disinfectant, window cleaner, soap, cloths, and WD-40, toilet cleaner, sponges, abrasives, and more. Other duties include fixing faucets, painting, changing lightbulbs, replenishing cleaning inventories, mowing lawns, trimming hedges, light painting, plastering, and fixing heating and air-conditioning equipment. Janitors also mop and scrub floors and disinfect bathrooms, so they are bending down a lot during their shift, which can be hard on their back and joints.

Janitors also need to remove rodents and pests from buildings. These animals can chew through wiring and leave droppings on the floor, which can be hazardous to health. Janitors will set traps and wait for the animal to be caught. Then they will quietly remove and dispose of the animal. Regular  extermination treatments are probably necessary for any building. If the animal is very large, such as a big snake or raccoon, the janitor may call animal control to have it removed.

The janitor may perform lots of other light duties or odd jobs. He may be pulling weeds, landscaping, planting flowers, pruning, cleaning sidewalks, sweeping debris, policing roofs and grounds, cleaning parking lot drains, inspecting properties, building rounds, replacing lamps and lightbulbs, emptying trash receptacles, hanging pictures and whiteboards, moving cars, transporting materials, replenishing inventory, cleaning vacant lots, installing and moving furniture, cleaning urinals and sinks, hanging doors, replacing ceiling tiles, painting, removing graffiti, cutting keys, performing minor irrigation repairs, cleaning the gutters, mopping floors, and patching holes in drywall.

Landscaping work is another part of a janitor's job. They need to keep the yard or lawn looking neat and trimmed. They mow the yard and then use a hedge trimmer to keep the hedges neat. They pull weeds, mix and add fertilizer, kill mosquitoes, add mulch, and pull out dead flowers and bushes. They weed whack and add decorative touches to the landscape.

The longer a janitor works on the job, the more duties an employer may give him or her. He may be trusted to perform building maintenance on several different properties. Or he may supervise a set of cleaning workers and have more autonomy. Most janitors work at night, after everyone has gone home, although some work during the day. 

Finding the Right Janitorial Service

The key to finding the right janitorial service is to paying a company that employs good workers and treats its workers well. A great janitor will ensure that your building is clean and debris-free each night (or weekly), and that supplies are restocked and carpets vacuumed. These are just a few of the many duties that a janitor is responsible for.

Janitors keep buildings clean. They janitors remove trash, vacuum, sweep walkways, and clean and disinfect surfaces. Removing trash and debris is important to maintain a good impression. They also perform heavy cleaning duties, such as removing hazardous waste or disposing of chemicals. They check that alarm systems and sprinkler systems are working. They may rewire systems and change batteries. Janitors also restock depleted cleaning supplies, such as bleach, disinfectant, window cleaner, soap, cloths, and WD-40.

Light landscaping work may also be a part of the job. Janitors  mow the yard, trim hedges, and pull out weeds. They may also plant new bulbs or flowers, lay down mulch, and set up decorative objects.

Others complete odd jobs such as fixing faucets, painting, changing lightbulbs, replenishing cleaning inventories, mowing lawns, trimming hedges, light painting, plastering, and fixing heating and air-conditioning equipment. Janitors also mop and scrub floors and disinfect bathrooms.

Janitors need to keep buildings rodent-free. This means removing rodents and insects and setting traps. Rodents in a building can be dangerous because they spread disease.

Good janitors should be discrete while performing their job. They may come across private items, such as paperwork and files. These need to be kept undisturbed. The janitor should never look through paperwork that isn't his. If he or she finds something on the ground, he should return it to its rightful owner.

Janitors don't always work during the day. Sometimes they work at night, often when all the workers are long gone. They switch on the lights and begin their nightly cleaning. They typically pull out the vacuum first and begin running it across the carpet and hard surfaces. They may also buff and polish floors and empty trash cans. That way when the employees arrive in the morning,  the building is clean. Often the smell of disinfectant and the squeak of clean floors accompany the first occupants that enter the building.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, janitors held about 4.1 million jobs in 2008. About 299,000 were self-employed. Janitors specifically held about 2.4 million jobs. Around 33 percent of janitors worked for firms supplying services to buildings, about 20 percent were employed in educational services, and 6 percent worked in government. About 132,700 were self employed. Janitors that work in hospitals or schools typically work full-time jobs during the day.

When selecting a janitorial company, the employer should ask to see the company's credentials. Who else do they work with? Do they have any recommendations? What is employee turnover? A company that keeps employees around for awhile is probably a good company that treats its employees well.

Working Part-Time at a Janitorial Job

Many janitorial jobs can be part-time. This allows for flexibility. For example if the janitor is attending school, he or she can take a part-time job so that school can be attended during the day or night. The job allows them to make some much-needed money while retaining flexibility.

A janitor's duties vary depending on what industry they are employed in and  during what time of day they work. Some janitors remove trash, vacuum, sweep walkways, and clean and disinfect surfaces. Removing trash and debris is important to maintain a good impression. No one wants to encounter trash all over a building they are visiting or working in. Others perform more heavy cleaning duties, such as removing hazardous waste or disposing of chemicals. If this is the case, the janitor will typically don special protective equipment.

Others perform jobs such as fixing faucets, painting, changing lightbulbs, replenishing cleaning inventories, mowing lawns, trimming hedges, light painting, plastering, and fixing heating and air-conditioning equipment.

Janitors also perform extermination duties, such as removing rodents and insects and setting traps. Rodents in a building can be dangerous because they spread disease. The janitors will set traps and wait for the animal to be caught. Then they will quietly remove and dispose of the animal. Regular  extermination treatments are probably necessary for any building. If the animal is very large, such as a big snake or raccoon, the janitor may call animal control to have it removed.

Janitors also mop and scrub floors and disinfect bathrooms. Often in a large building there are multiple bathrooms, so a janitor's workday is typically very hard on his or her body, as he will need to get on his knees to clean and squeeze into tight spaces. He will use both soft and abrasive cloths to scrub away lime and spots. Usually he will replenish toilet paper supplies and ensure the air freshener and soap dispenser are full.

The janitor may also check that alarm systems and sprinkler systems are working. They may rewire systems and change batteries.

The janitor may also do some light landscaping work. He may mow the yard, trim hedges, and pull out weeds. He may also plant bulbs, bushes, flowers, and plants around the perimeter of the building to create an aesthetically pleasing entrance. The janitor may add mulch, fertilizer, and water the plants regularly.

Changing batteries, lightbulbs, and replenishing the cleaning inventory are things the janitor probably does frequently. Lightbulbs do not have a very long shelf life, and exchanging them is a must to keep the building well-lit. He will also purchase depleted cleaning supplies, such as bleach, disinfectant, window cleaner, soap, cloths, and WD-40.

If a janitor has a part-time job he or she will need to get as much done as possible in a small time frame. It could be that the building worked in is smaller and doesn't need an eight-hour cleaning. Or it could be there are several other janitors working and the workforce is sufficient enough.

Career prospects for janitorial jobs

Janitors hold some of the most important building maintenance positions. They are responsible for cleaning office buildings, stores, apartments, restaurants, and hospitals. Without janitors, debris would pile up in an area and could make building occupants sick. A tidy building always makes an indelible impression on those who enter it. 

A janitor's duties vary depending on what industry they are employed in. Some janitors remove trash, vacuum, sweep walkways, and clean and disinfect surfaces. Others perform more heavy cleaning duties, such as removing hazardous waste or disposing of chemicals. 

Others perform jobs such as fixing faucets, painting, changing lightbulbs, replenishing cleaning inventories, mowing lawns, and fixing heating and air-conditioning equipment. 

Janitors also perform extermination duties, such as removing rodents and insects and setting traps. Rodents in a building can be dangerous because they spread disease.

Janitors also mop and scrub floors and disinfect bathrooms. Often in a large building there are multiple bathrooms, so a janitor's workday is typically very hard on his or her body, as he will need to get on his knees to clean and squeeze into tight spaces. 

In a hospital a janitor's role is very important. To stop the spread of disease, a janitor must clean floors and surfaces daily. Trash receptacles are emptied often several times a day. Hazardous implements such as needles, bandages, and dressings are removed and disposed of properly by janitors.

Janitors use a variety of equipment during a typical work day. He may use a mop and broom, sanding machines, power washers, chemicals, and pesticides. If he performs lawn maintenance, a janitor may use a mower, weed whacker, fertilizers, and edgers. He may need to carry heavy bags of soil to and from sheds, which can put a strain on his back.

Janitors often work late into the evening, when buildings are empty and they can freely move from room to room without disturbing anyone. The exception is hospitals and schools, where janitors are needed during the day to dispose of debris and trash readily.

When hiring janitors, a high school diploma is preferred but not required. Performing simple arithmetic when meting out chemicals and the ability to follow directions are important attributes.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, building cleaning workers held about 4.1 million jobs in 2008. About 299,000 were self-employed. Janitors specifically held about 2.4 million jobs. Around 33 percent of janitors worked for firms supplying services to buildings and dwellings, about 20 percent were employed in educational services, and 6 percent worked in government. About 132,700 were self employed.

Overall employment of building cleaning workers is expected to be good. Employment of janitors and cleaners is projected to increase by 4 percent, more slowly than average, for all occupations. As the pace of construction contracts and fewer buildings are built, growth in this occupation should be relatively slow. But in the healthcare industry, growth is very rapid. There will always be a need for dependable janitors in hospitals and doctor's offices.