Tips & Trends

10 Pro Tips from Corvus Janitorial Systems

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Whether you are the current owner of a cleaning business or are interested in becoming one but do not know where to start, getting advice from experienced professionals is worthwhile. Here are ten pro tips from Corvus Franchise Owners and employees on cleaning, disinfecting, and business ownership:

On Cleaning and Disinfecting

  1. Understanding the distinction between cleaning and disinfecting enables you to provide high-quality cleaning services and better explain to customers the importance of your services. Cleaning removes dirt, dust, and debris from surfaces or objects while disinfecting uses chemicals- aka disinfectants- to kill germs on surfaces and objects. Traditional cleaning methods like using soap and water can decrease how much a virus is on the surface, but you must apply a disinfectant to kill it completely. As well, it is critical to allow sufficient dwell time before wiping the disinfectant off.
  2. Restroom floors should be a significant focal point during every clean. Not only are restroom floors the culprit of bathroom odors, but they are also susceptible to becoming discolored without proper maintenance. In addition to cleaning, be sure to disinfect the bathroom floors to kill bacteria and odor thoroughly. You can use products like antimicrobial urine mats to protect floors from staining and reduce odors and bacteria.
  3. Hard water buildup is tough to remove, so it is best to prevent it from happening in the first place. Be sure to give extra attention to any areas in a facility where hard water is likely to build up over time, such as faucets and toilets. If you encounter hard water buildup, pumice stone and Scotch Brite Heavy Duty scouring pads are popular tools for removing the building.
  4. For a cleaning product to be effective, you have to let it interact with the soiled area and material. Most people dunk their mops into their buckets, run the fibers over the area and call it a day…, but that does not fully take care of sanitizing or killing the odor. Instead, you should adequately dilute the chemical, apply it, and let it sit for the appropriate amount of time. Typically this time is between 3-5 minutes, but it is always a good idea to carefully read the instructions to be sure.
  5. Proper mop hygiene prevents the spread of germs and increases their longevity. Never leave a mop head sitting in water overnight as it weakens the mop fibers and encourages bacterial growth. Wash your mop and bucket after every use and allow it to fully dry. Replace your mop heads when they show signs of wear and tear. These signs include frayed edges, pieces of the mop are falling off, and severe discoloration.

 

On Business Ownership

  1. Learning from people in your field who have already succeeded is a great way to excel in business. By partnering with a commercial cleaning franchisor like Corvus, you are joining a network of cleaning professionals who share similar goals and aspirations. You will have the opportunity to speak with other Franchise Owners on matters such as strategies for maximizing profit, improving efficiency, acquiring extra one-time work, and creating a work-life balance.
  2. Many cleaning professionals bring a cleaning checklist to their customer accounts. A tangible list allows you to keep track of your cleaning specs and helps you remember tasks that are not a part of your regular cleaning routine (like a one-time electrostatic spray or once a month high dusting). We suggest leaving space on your checklist to document matters such as customer feedback or cleaning hot spots.
  3. Save money by monitoring your chemical usage and maintaining equipment. Keeping track of inventory prevents you from running out of supplies and prepares you for upcoming expenses. Follow proper maintenance procedures of your equipment to increase the longevity of use and provide better service.
  4. When you work hard and take pride in your work, receiving negative feedback can feel discouraging. Rather than letting it bring you down, see it as a learning opportunity. Owning your mistake and doing what you can to make it right shows that you are committed to the quality of your services, ultimately leading to the likelihood of customer loyalty and retention.
  5. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure customer accounts are cleaned correctly and on time. But sometimes “life happens,”… which is why Corvus recommends having a backup cleaning crew who can take your place as needed. It is a good idea for your team to accompany you on several cleans beforehand and assure that all necessary background checks have cleared. That way, your crew understands what the customer expects from their cleaning service and can be ready to fill in at short notice.

    6.  

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to Make Lives Better, Corvus Janitorial Systems offers professional commercial cleaning and disinfecting services to a wide variety of businesses throughout the United States. The nationally recognized Corvus brand and proprietary systems have helped our network of dedicated, local Franchisees succeed in their business goals and achieve independence, security, and freedom. Contact us today for more information on franchise opportunities with Corvus.

Environmentally Conscious Cleaning Practices

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Earth Day and every day, Corvus Janitorial cares about the environment. Eco-friendly products and practices have been growing in popularity over the years as we learn more about the true impact of traditional ones.

Ranging from eco-friendly cosmetics to cleaning practices, it’s safe to say that this is no longer a trend. And who wouldn’t want to make choices that are better for the environment? But that’s not their only selling point. Did you know that environmentally conscious cleaning practices aren’t just better for the planet, they’re better for you, too?

By implementing eco-conscious cleaning practices in your office, school, or other workspaces, you can ensure a safe and healthy environment for anyone who spends time there. Here are our suggestions:

Evaluating Your Cleaning Products

Not all cleaning products are created equally. Some are significantly better, healthier, more effective, or some combination of these improvements. As part of your new eco-conscious cleaning routine, replacing your chemical-heavy lineup with more targeted and less harsh products is a great first step.

And beyond that, many traditional cleaning products do have expiration dates that many of us tend to forget about. Cleaning products degrade over time, often without providing us with scent changes, texture differences, or visual cues that they may no longer be effective. This means that we could end up using a cleaning product for years after it has expired.

While this last point isn’t exactly an environmental concern, degraded cleaning products may leave you thinking that your space is safe, clean, and healthy when it isn’t, so it’s still worth a mention. Every six months or so, rummage through your supply closet to ensure that nothing needs replacing.

Adopting Greener Cleaning Practices

One of the best and easiest green cleaning practices is swapping out single-use paper towels with microfiber cloths, rags, towels, and other reusables. Single-use paper items like paper towels and fast-food napkins contribute to deforestation, global warming, and pollution. Sturdier rags and cloths can be washed and reused over and over again.

Some other suggestions for green cleaning practices:

• Bring in oxygen-producing plants and dust regularly to improve air quality
• Spot clean with more natural ingredients like white vinegar, lemon, and baking soda
• Buy recycled paper products for the office
• Buy your cleaning supplies in bulk; less packaging means less waste
• Clean any given room from top to bottom, starting from the far wall and moving toward the doorway; this way, you don’t end up cleaning the same area twice
• Employ a daily cleaning task list so that fewer deep cleans are necessary

Get creative with your green cleaning practices. For example, if you don’t have microfiber cloths or old rags to use, what else do you have that you can bring in from home? You can clean with worn-out sheets, ripped or stained shirts, or an old pair of socks. Old toothbrushes are great for digging into and scrubbing small spaces.

If you know that several of your employees live close to one another, suggest having a carpool day once per week. While this isn’t exactly a cleaning practice, it is something you can do to bring the eco-friendly movement into your workspace. You could also switch to motion-sensor lighting to consume less energy after hours when no one is around or when someone forgets to flick the switch off on their way home.

Conserving Water

If you’re looking for bigger ways to implement eco-friendly practices into your workspace, installing water-efficient fixtures is one way to do so. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water-efficient faucets and accessories reduce a sink’s water flow by 30% or more from the standard flow.

Retrofitting bathroom sink faucets with WaterSense-labeled models could save billions of gallons of water nationwide each year. Installing low-flow toilets, touch-free faucets, and regularly checking for and fixing leaks can also help. But even without springing for fancier fixtures, we can simply be mindful of how much water we’re using and try to reduce it.

Rather than leaving the water running while we’re cleaning, turn it off when it’s time to scrub and turn it back on when you need it again. Informing employees or coworkers about water conservation can make it a team effort and increase its impact.

Water is a limited resource. We can all play our part to use it more efficiently and reduce unnecessary water usage. Conserving water keeps it pure and clean for us and future generations and protects the environment.

Hiring A Team to Take the Guess Work Out of Your Commercial Cleaning

No matter how small it may seem, any step toward environmentally conscious cleaning practices is something positive. And when you’re not sure how to keep your commercial space clean, healthy, safe, and sparkling on your own, we’ve got a team for that.

The incredible and conscious crews at Corvus Janitorial will work with you to determine what your goals are for your workspace and how they can meet them. With convenient and flexible hours, unique cleaning and disinfecting plans, and customized services, you’ll find exactly what you need right here.

What is a Commercial Disinfectant?

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Commercial vs. Home Disinfectants

Home disinfectants are regular name-brand products that you can find in grocery stores. They’re used to eliminate bacteria and viruses at home, especially on high-touch surfaces, which the CDC is recommending we pay extra attention to right now. Cleaning and disinfecting with home disinfectants is what most people do to keep diseases, like COVID, from spreading through contact with contaminated surfaces.
Regular cleaning and disinfecting are always a good idea. And many common household products, like the disinfecting wipes put out by Clorox or the disinfectant mist produced by Lysol, are registered with the EPA. But even when a home disinfectant is registered with the EPA as an effective product against hard-to-kill viruses, it might not be enough. Commercial disinfectants take the cleaning and sanitizing process one step further.

Commercial Disinfectant Benefits

While many household disinfectants will kill deadly viruses, they still have their limitations. Commercial disinfectants are stronger than home-grade ones, killing a wider range of transferable infections and diseases. And on top of being stronger and more effective, the techniques that trained commercial cleaners use are more effective and efficient, too.
Techniques like cold fogging and electrostatic spraying are significantly more effective ways to disinfect. These commercial-grade products and methods create a 360-degree mist to target every surface and hard-to-reach corner, ensuring that nothing is missed. This type of high-level cleaning and disinfecting is particularly helpful in sensitive and high-traffic settings where keeping things sanitized and safe is a necessity rather than a luxury.

Where Commercial Disinfectants are Used

Among other places, commercial disinfectants are extremely common in:

– Airports
– Hospitals and other medical facilities
– Senior centers
– Schools and daycares
– Office buildings
– Restaurants and food facilities
– Factories and manufacturing facilities

Because these facilities see a lot of traffic, have many high-touch surfaces, and many house vulnerable individuals, a higher level of cleaning and disinfecting is required. Since the first COVID shutdown, we have all learned the importance of maintaining our health and safety. Commercial cleaning and disinfecting services make it easier to do so. By using highly effective, commercial-grade products, equipment, and techniques, we help our clients ensure that their facility, office, or workspace is safe.

When to Use Home Disinfectants

EPA-approved home disinfects are great to use during routine home and office cleaning. Between professional cleaning and disinfecting services and in a pinch, they are an effective way to slow the spread of germs and infections. If you’re cleaning a high-traffic home, an office, or another workplace setting, you should regularly use sprays or wipes to sanitize high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, handles, desks and chairs, light switches, phones and keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, and countertops. Remember to follow the proper protocols to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your cleaning and disinfecting efforts.
And remember that there is a big difference between EPA-approved home disinfectants and homemade natural cleaning products and disinfectants. Natural products are growing in time with the movement for more eco-friendly solutions, but natural cleaning products that rely on ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda are far less effective than household and commercial cleaning products. Health and safety should be the top priority for cleaning and disinfecting procedures, especially during times like these.

Proper Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols

Following the proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures will both help ensure that they are as effective as possible and that you remain safe while cleaning. Some disinfecting products might be harmful if they’re left on exposed skin for too long; others might only be safe for use in well-ventilated areas. Wear disposable gloves, clean surfaces with soap and water first, then disinfect. Wear clothes that you aren’t concerned about damaging if you’re using products that contain bleach.
Check your home disinfectant bottles for instructions on dwell time, the amount of time a solution has to stay on a surface in order for it to be effective, as well as other important instructions. With some products, simply wiping them with a rag and walking away won’t be enough. Regular cleaning is a good way to help slow the spread of preventable illnesses. But when it comes to getting a deeper cleaning, disinfecting those hard-to-reach surfaces, and finding some peace of mind, commercial disinfectants applied by trained professionals will carry you farther.

Corvus Janitorial Services

Regular cleaning, washing your hands, wearing your masks, and keeping your distance can help slow the spread of illnesses. But when you need something more, commercial disinfecting services will keep high-touch surfaces and hard-to-clean areas clean and disinfected to reduce the transmission on a higher level. Our service providers are trained to get the job done right and done safely. And you can move forward with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’ve done your part to keep your facility, employees, patients, loved ones, and community safe and healthy.

Franchise Disclosure Document: What it is and Why it’s Important

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What is an FDD?

Franchise disclosure documents were created by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help potential franchise owners gather the information they need to conclude whether they’re making a good investment or not. These documents are meant to protect American consumers and guide them as they search for the right investments to meet their needs. At first glance, a franchise may seem like a good investment, but it’s never a good idea to make such a big financial decision without digging a bit deeper first. Your franchise disclosure document will provide you with details on everything from affiliated companies to dispute resolution requirements.

Why is it Required?

This legal document is an important part of doing your pre-purchase due diligence. The information contained in a franchise disclosure document is essential to potential franchisees who are preparing to make one of the most significant investments possible. In your disclosure document, you’ll read about the roles of each party involved, among many other things. Knowing what falls on the franchisor and the franchisee will help you make a diligent and informed decision. Providing this information is also beneficial to the franchisor, as they now have their legal obligations and promises in writing should a conflict appear later on in the business relationship.

The Federal Trade Commission requires that franchisors provide the document to the franchisee a minimum of 14 days prior to it being signed, or before any money changes hands. This means that the start-up costs and annual licensing fee will be handled after the document is signed. This may seem like a lengthy period of time, but this document contains a lot of information, and you should take your time reviewing it section by section. Once you’ve reviewed and signed, keeping a copy of important documents like these for your records is always a good practice. It may be helpful to refer back to them later.

Why is it Important to Potential Franchise Owners?

When we were young, inexperienced students, we all learned how to make pro-con lists when we were making important decisions. Franchise disclosure documents are essentially the adult version of this useful organizational tool, except they’re put together by someone who already has all of the information we need. Potential franchise owners can use a federal disclosure document to weigh the risks and benefits of the investment they’re considering so they’re not walking blindly into a situation that may not work out for them.

When you’re teaming up with a franchise to access their business knowledge, established processes, trademarks, and more, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting. You’ll need to know which obligations fall to which party, and whether they’ll help you with things like finding the right location, training your team, management guidance, and marketing strategies. Franchises are unique investments in many different ways. For this reason, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, or risks and rewards, before you enter into this important business decision.

What is Included in an FDD?

Franchise disclosure documents contain 23 specific pieces of information about the franchise you’re looking into, the franchise’s officers, and other existing franchisees. This is an incredibly thorough and important document involved in any franchise purchase. It’s also long, and if this is your first franchise purchase, maybe a bit confusing. It may be a good idea to go through your franchise disclosure document under the guidance and watchful eye of an experienced franchise attorney before you sign.

Below is a breakdown of the items that will be included in your franchise disclosure document, what they are, and why they’re important:

1. The franchisor and any parents, predecessors, and affiliates
All corporate, affiliation and parent company information related to the franchisor should be included here

2. Business experience
Information regarding the franchisor’s management team

3. Litigation
If the franchisor, affiliates, predecessors, or management team members are involved in certain kinds of litigation, that information should be disclosed here

4. Bankruptcy
If any of the parties listed above previously filed for bankruptcy, that would be contained in this section

5. Initial fees
Having a clear outline of both initial and other fees will help both parties avoid disputes over undisclosed costs down the road

6. Other fees
Same as above

7. Estimated initial investment
This section of your franchise disclosure document should give you a range for the expected initial investment needed to get your franchise up and running

8. Restrictions on sources of products and services
This section includes a list of products or supplies that the franchisee needs to buy from the franchisor (or suppliers that they designate). It also included information on revenue and rebates that they earn from this

9. Franchisee’s obligations
As a franchisee, your obligations (legal, termination, etc.) will be listed in a table here

10. Financing
If your franchisor offers their franchisees financing for initial or other fees, you’ll find that information here

11. Franchisor’s assistance, advertising, computer systems, and training
This section will list the types of assistance or training you’ll have access to, advertising requirements, and the systems you’ll need to buy and use within the franchise

12. Territory
Your franchisor will disclose whether you have access to a protected territory, how that’s determined, and situations that will allow them to operate within your territory

13. Trademarks
If your franchisor has trademarks, they’ll include registration (with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) information, status, and related details here

14. Patents, copyrights, and proprietary information
Similar to the section above, here your franchisor will include information on any applicable patents, copyrights, or other proprietary information you may need

15. Obligation to participate in the actual operation of the franchise business
If you are obligated to have any involvement in the daily operations of your franchise, your franchisor will provide the details of that obligation here. Some may require that you work in the franchise full-time, while others have no requirements listed in this section

16. Restrictions on what the franchisee may sell
Your franchisor may limit what you can or can’t sell here

17. Renewal, termination, transfer, and dispute resolution
Your legal rights, renewal obligations, termination process, and transfer details, along with a summary of dispute resolution requirements between you and your franchisor will be listed in this section

18. Public figures
Lists celebrities and public figures (if any) that were hired to promote the franchise

19. Financial performance representations
Outlines information about sales or other financial data. This is not always provided

20. Outlets and franchisee information
A table will be used here to summarize things like the number of opened franchises, the number of franchises that were terminated, closed, or transferred, and contact information for each franchisee in the franchisor’s system

21. Financial statements
Financial statements are one of the most important inclusions in any federal disclosure document. Your franchisor will need to provide three years’ worth of audited financial statements. This will give you insight into costs and cash flow, among other things

22. Contracts
Buying a franchise includes signing several contracts, like your franchise agreement. Others may include financial contracts, agreements made regarding products supplied, licensing agreements, and more

23. Receipts
The last section of your franchise disclosure document is a receipt page that you’ll sign to let the appropriate parties know (and keep a record of) when you received your FDD

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only. It is not intended to advise an individual on their purchase of a franchise and should not be used in place of legal counsel. There are many factors that affect the purchase of a franchise. Any person considering the purchase of a franchise should become familiar with their state laws related to franchising.

How and Why to Strip and Refinish Hardwood Floors

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As far as home and office improvement projects go, stripping and refinishing hardwood floors is definitely high up on the list. It’s something that’s relatively easy to take on – you can do it yourself or find several local hardwood floor specialists to do it for you. Whichever you choose, there are many benefits to stripping and refinishing your hardwood floors. And if you’re feeling handy or you’re willing to learn, one of those benefits is that you can do it on your own, save money, and learn a new and valuable skill.

Why Strip and Refinish Hardwood Floors

Stripping and refinishing hardwood floors gives you the chance to restore old, worn, or otherwise damaged flooring in your home or office. It is also the perfect time to change the color with a quick and easy stain. Refinished hardwood floors increase the property’s value, makes the room more visually appealing, and makes them easier to keep clean. Dirt and dust can settle in as hardwood floors age. Stripping and refinishing will help you remove allergens, eliminate pesky splintering wood pieces, and give you a smooth finish that is easy to clean and maintain.

How to Strip and Refinish Hardwood Floors

Stripping and refinishing your hardwood floors will take some patience and a fair amount of elbow grease, but the results make it worth it. Using the floors as the jumping-off point to redecorate and breathe new life into your space can make it feel brand new. There are different levels and stages of refinishing hardwood floors, so we’ll start with the easier ones. If you only have a handful of minor scratches, dings, or a worn, dull finish, you might be able to get away with quickly buffing and adding a new coat of varnish or polyurethane to your hardwood floors.

But if your hardwood floors are in dire need of a full makeover, the process is still manageable and rewarding. Plus, doing it yourself can save you thousands over paying an expert to do it for you. On average, professionals charge between $3 to $4 per square foot to refinish floors. This means that a 2,000-square foot space could cost as much as $8,000. If you’re willing to do the work yourself instead, it would cost closer to $700 instead.

Steps Involved in Stripping and Refinishing Damaged Hardwood Floors

If you don’t fall into the category of a quick repair, here are the steps you’ll want to follow to breathe life back into your hardwood floors:

1) Prep the room by taking out furniture and rugs, covering vents and electrical boxes with painter’s tape, and gently removing the base molding with a pry bar

2) Number the molding pieces as you go so it’s easier to put them back in the right place when you’re done

3) Use wood filler to patch and repair larger holes or cracks or wood patch filler on individual spots if the damage is minimal

4) Let the filler dry completely

5) Use a damp rage to wipe down the floor and get rid of any remaining dust or debris; let the floor dry again before sanding

6) Slowly and cautiously use a drum sander to sand the floor (remember your mask and eye protection, too)

7) Buff the floor to remove any small sanding marks that were left behind and give the floor a smooth finish

8) Prep the room for stain or sealer by wiping away any dirt, dust, or hair on the floor or walls so they don’t affect your finish

9) Apply stain if you want to change the color (make sure the room is well ventilated first and wear your respirator mask)

10) Once the stain is dry (or you decided to skip the stain), the last step is sealing the floor (usually with polyurethane) to protect it from further scratches and water damage

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Depending on the level of damage, size of the room, your goals, and other individual factors, the process may look slightly different. But for the most part, the tools and materials you’ll need will likely stay the same. Let’s start with the rented items first. Unless you already own them or you have a handy family member or neighbor, you can rent a drum or belt floor sander and an edger sander from your local home improvement store. These are the biggest items you’ll need. From there, you’ll want to gather or go buy:

–A small pry bar for the base molding
–Needle-nosed pliers to remove any nails or staples in the floor
–A hammer to nail down any loose boards
–Painter’s tape and plastic sheets
–Wood filler
–Spackle knife (you may want to buy a few different sizes, but if you already have one and don’t want to buy more, the one you have on hand should work fine)
–Protective goggles or other eyewear and respirator masks
–Sandpaper (40, 60, 80, and 120-grit to fit the different sanders)
–A sanding pole
–A 120-grit sanding screen
–An industrial-level vacuum or shop vac
–Tack cloth
–Denatured alcohol
–A smooth foam roller
–Polyurethane or a similar hardwood floor sealant
–Steel wool pads and rags
–An oil-based stain and stain applicator pads are optional depending on whether or not you are happy with the current color of your hardwood floors.

Corvus Janitorial Services

At Corvus, we are dedicated to health and safety improvements. If you are preparing to strip and refinish your hardwood floors yourself, make sure you have all of the safety equipment you need. If you are renting sanders, buffers, or other equipment, ask the hardware store for guidance on how to use them. You can also find instructional videos on YouTube to watch before you begin. Doing your research before you get started could help you avoid costly mistakes like having to start over or having to hire a professional to fix any damage. For more information on improvements that you can make, the services that we offer, and the proper protocols for cleaning and disinfecting, visit the Corvus blog page.

5 Qualities of a Successful Cleaning Franchise Owner

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Like every industry or profession, there are specific skills and knowledge required to perform a job competently. All Corvus Franchise Owners possess skill sets that are essential to keeping businesses running and our communities safe, but what is it that separates the good from the great? What contributes to their success? While there is no singular trait that makes a commercial cleaning professional successful, there are certainly commonalities shared amongst the top performers. Fortunately, the five qualities listed below can be learned and implemented by anyone who is committed to their cleaning franchise:

1. Consistency

Consistently showing up on time and doing the best possible job demonstrates reliability. Staying committed to providing the highest quality cleaning service day in and day out proves to customers that their business is in your best interest. When your accounts know exactly the kind of service they will be getting, you are fostering a customer relationship based on trust and loyalty.

2. Attention to Detail

Even if you have done more cleans than you could possibly count, mistakes do happen. Forgetting to take out one trashbag or neglecting to dust one area could affect the overall appearance of an office. Double-checking, or even triple-checking, your work for any errors is always a good idea. This not only shows that you are thorough, but it also prevents bigger problems that could result arise down the road.

3. Preparation

Successful cleaning franchise owners are always thinking ahead. Purchasing supplies well before they run out, having an approved backup crew, and allowing yourself plenty of time to get to an account in case unforeseen circumstances arise are great ways to stay prepared. Think of any possible scenarios that may happen and create a plan to solve the unexpected challenge.

4. Desire to Learn

As a business owner, it is almost guaranteed that you will face new and unprecedented challenges. Rather than trying to solve them all on your own, try reaching out to a Corvus Teammate instead. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. It shows that you are willing to learn and take any steps necessary to improve yourself and your business.

5. Solution-Oriented

Successful cleaning franchise owners actively seek solutions when challenges arise. When they can’t solve the problems on their own, they are resourceful by asking questions or reaching out to others for help. If something is not going according to plan, they investigate the situation further. Rather than just shrugging off a streaky floor, ask yourself questions like: am I using too much product? the wrong product? does the mop water need to be changed more often?

If this list seems overwhelming at first, that’s okay! Real, lasting change takes time. Focus on one area for however long you need to, and then move on to another. Eventually, these “learned skills” will become habits that you incorporate into your everyday work routine.

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus Janitorial Systems is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

How to Win Commercial Cleaning Contracts: 5 Factors to Consider

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Eager entrepreneurs everywhere are reaping the benefits of opening a commercial cleaning business. Once you are open for business, it is time to start selling contracts. Here are five factors to consider when acquiring commercial cleaning contracts and customers: 

1. Facility Selection

Deciding what type of facility you are going to target is a critical step to acquiring commercial cleaning contracts. Facility types vary amongst industries, so it is important to consider these differences and make your decision accordingly. For example, a standard office workspace likely requires less detailed cleaning and disinfecting services than a hospital would. 

All facilities come with unique needs that you, as the cleaner, must be able to meet in order to retain customer satisfaction. Appealing to every industry type may sound like a good approach, however, it can lead to accepting a contract that you are unequipped to handle. Instead, try honing in on facility types that you are best qualified for. Think about your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. 

Determining what suits your skill set best will help you identify your ideal customers, which, ultimately, will likely lead to strong customer relationships and long-term success for your business. Keep in mind that not all companies want or need recurring janitorial services. They may, however, require special event cleaning or “one-time work” services. As with recurring commercial cleaning contracts, special event clean-up contracts will have a wide variety of needs that the business owner must consider when deciding which opportunities to pursue. 

2. Location, Location, Location

Establishing a service area is an important aspect of your business. Targeting customers everywhere may sound strategic, however, travel time and logistics are major expenses that must not be overlooked. Calculating the costs and risks associated with commuting to and from customer accounts will benefit your business greatly. Circumstances like heavy traffic and inclement weather might be out of your control, but they will cause you to be tardy and miss cleans. By clustering your cleaning accounts close together you are greatly reducing the chance of these undesirable occurrences from happening in the first place. 

3. Pricing Your Services

Creating a menu or list of services your cleaning company offers can serve as a valuable asset when pricing and selling your cleaning contracts. This allows you to be transparent to your potential clients about what you are willing and able to offer. Additionally, a menu allows you to clearly state your availability. The level of cleaning you intend to provide on a nightly, weekly, or monthly basis should be advertised similar to how a store displays its hours of operation on its window or website. 

A major benefit of being your own boss is having a great deal of control over your work schedule. You might plan to clean Monday through Friday, during regular business hours. Or maybe you intend to clean on the weekends when no one is in the office. Whatever the case, this method is an effective and efficient way to attract your ideal clients straight away. You soon will notice that your level of service, as well as frequency, has a significant impact on pricing. 

Take electrostatic spraying, for example. Does your cleaning company intend on disinfecting the facility once a week, or nightly? If the answer is nightly, you will be spending more time and resources and, therefore, you should charge accordingly. Frequency and level of service are the determining factors for how to price a cleaning contract. The kitchen area of a restaurant requires a much more extensive cleaning than the dining area does, and these elevated expectations should be reflected in the contract. 

Ultimately, you should take a consultative approach to understand client expectations, customizing cleaning schedules, determining the frequency and scope of work to suit the facility’s needs and client’s desires, generating a cleaning contract with terms, and outlining conditions and pricing to match the client’s desires.

4. Marketing Your Cleaning Business

Fortunately, cleaning companies provide an essential service that every industry type needs. Unfortunately, it is likely that there are several other cleaning companies that provide the same services target the same customers. That is why marketing can be a powerful strategy to differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Cold-calling potential customers is a traditional and common way to acquire commercial cleaning contracts. Over time, it has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to target businesses in your areas. This remains true, especially if you already have an established network with local business owners and office managers. Tapping into these networks is a great way to generate word-of-mouth referrals as well. Satisfied customers are oftentimes willing to recommend you to other businesses in their building, network, or industry. 

Cold calling, networking, and customer referrals have proven to work, however, there are several other approaches available to business owners. In fact, additional marketing efforts are necessary if you hope to establish a large client base. Fliers and pamphlets are a time-tested and relatively inexpensive advertising method. Building relationships with real estate agents and property managers can generate word-of-mouth referrals for customer contracts, which is especially beneficial for those who do not already have established networks and connections. 

In today’s day and age, a digital marketing strategy is critical to successfully compete in the commercial cleaning industry. Creating a simple website, and/or social media page (like Instagram or Facebook) is an effective way to showcase your services and provide contact information. 

5. Consistency is Key

Getting cleaning contracts- and retaining them- is no simple task. Determining your service offerings, location, target customer, and marketing tactics is only the beginning. Having systems in place is crucial to building, growing, and maintaining a profitable business, but you will soon learn that there is no way of knowing how much and how often you are able to sell. In the end, consistency is the foundation of running a successful business. The steps listed above will help you acquire commercial cleaning contracts so long as you are committed to putting in the work day in and day out. 

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus Janitorial Systems is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

Deep Cleaning: What You Need to Know

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Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases nationwide, Corvus Janitorial is noticing more and more businesses implementing deep cleaning into their office routines. In fact, the CDC announced deep cleaning as an essential step in the effort to maintain safety in public spaces like your workplace, school, home, and business.

So what is it that makes deep cleaning different from ordinary, everyday cleaning? Read on to learn more about the process – and importance – of deep cleaning.

What is Deep Cleaning?

A deep clean is an organized and detailed clean of an area with the intent to reduce germs and control the spread of infection. It goes above and beyond regular cleaning to ensure those hard-to-reach corners and crevices that are oftentimes neglected in standard cleaning routines are being reached.

When a person is cleaning, whatever kind of space it may be, he or she is mostly focused on improving the overall appearance of that area. Cleaning does work to remove dirt and impurities – like germs and viruses- from a surface, but it does not actually kill them away. Impurities can only be killed by cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting the area.

While a standard clean is generally performed daily or throughout the week, a deep clean occurs far less regularly (think- spring cleaning). However strenuous of a task it may be, ensuring that your home and other public spaces have been disinfected is absolutely essential to controlling the spread of COVID-19. If the proper products are used, disinfecting can actually kill the virus that causes COVID-19.

Standard Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

Let’s compare cleaning a kitchen to deep cleaning a kitchen as an example. Cleaning the kitchen after dinner may look like something along the lines of clearing the plates, loading the dishwasher, wiping down the countertops, and sweeping underneath the table.

Deep cleaning the kitchen is a much more comprehensive process. In addition to the chores mentioned above, it would involve tasks such as clearing out the pantry and refrigerator, tossing away any expired food, and then wiping down the shelves with a disinfectant spray. One might use a clean toothbrush or similar tool to reach the corners and edges of the shelves as well.

Deep Cleaning Your Business

This time last year if you were to ask anyone his or her thoughts on disinfecting a doorknob each time someone opens and closes the door…most likely everyone would agree that it is a crazy and completely unnecessary idea. Now, the health and safety of your employees, as well as the vitality of your business, could depend on this very action alone.

Businesses and other workspaces contain several high-touch surfaces (desks, light switches, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, etc.) that, if neglected, can drastically increase one’s chances of contracting COVID-19. Since there are so many high touch surfaces to consider, businesses will generally hire professional cleaners to perform a deep clean.

Oftentimes professional cleaning companies will use advanced technologies like electrostatic sprayers to properly clean, sanitize, and disinfect. Whether or not your facility uses a commercial cleaning service, it is worthwhile to consider bringing in a professional for a disinfecting service. It will save a great deal of time, and you can rest assured knowing that one of the most powerful and effective disinfecting methods was applied to your workspace.

Tips and Tricks For Deep Cleaning Your Home

While businesses typically hire a janitorial company for their cleaning needs, deep cleaning your home can be done without help from professional cleaners. The thought of disinfecting your entire household is probably overwhelming, so it helps to break the project down into small, more manageable tasks.

Just like deep cleaning any public space, first and foremost you must disinfect the high-touch surfaces in your home. It is helpful to always have a supply of disinfectant products readily available. Clorox, Lysol, and Purell are common brands included on the EPA’s list of approved disinfectants. Wearing disposable gloves while deep cleaning these surfaces is a great preventative measure you can take. If a member of your household does contract COVID-19, it is best for him or her to stay in a separate bedroom and bathroom if at all possible.

Deep cleaning aside, wearing a mask outside your home and limiting the number of visitors who come into your home are the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from contracting the coronavirus.

Conclusion

Deep cleaning our workspaces and households is a crucial step we must all take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Simply cleaning up after ourselves will not be enough, so it is best to start adopting these practices now and to maintain them for as long as the coronavirus continues to affect our lives. For more information and resources relating to COVID-19, visit our coronavirus response page here.

Corvus Janitorial Systems

If you are looking for a commercial cleaning company that uses only the highest-quality products and proven techniques, Corvus Janitorial is it. For all of your cleaning, purifying, and disinfecting needs, trust Corvus Janitorial. Contact us today to learn more about how Corvus can help your facility.

Starting an Office Cleaning Business: Invest in an Essential Service

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Interested in starting an office cleaning business of your own? It can be a very exciting venture, but there are several things you need to do before diving in! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the four biggest things that should be on your to-do list before starting an office cleaning business.

Now more than ever, cleaning matters. As an essential industry, the commercial cleaning business has never been more in the spotlight – or more in demand.

STEP 1: RESEARCH

At Corvus, we are partial to the reliable and tested system that we and our franchise partners have built. However, as with any important decision, we recommend researching your options. There are many different franchisors of office cleaning and janitorial services concepts out there, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the market. Resources to assist an individual in their initial research include Franchise.com, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the International Franchising Association (IFA).

When researching potential franchises, we suggest paying attention to the following:

• Company’s longevity

• Pricing of fees and services

• Quality of relationship between firms and its franchise base

While there are other things to consider than the few items listed above, this will be a great starting point on your researching journey. Once the initial due diligence has been exhausted and you have decided whether or not to go with a franchise base, it’s time to start the process.

STEP 2: CONTACT

Once you have researched, it’s time to make an initial call or email to a company teammate in order to learn more and explore the possibility of purchasing a cleaning franchise. The aim of the initial call is intended for both parties, the potential franchisee and franchisor, to get a basic sense of each other’s goals, experience, and ideal investment level. At Corvus, we aim to understand the level of interest by the inquiring party. When it comes to franchisees, we only want the best and most dedicated to represent us. At some point during the initial call, a prospective franchisee will typically be invited to attend a “Disclosure” meeting, or Discovery Meeting, at a Corvus Regional office.

STEP 3: MEET

The Discovery or “Disclosure” meeting is critically important. Many companies conduct these in a variety of ways, but we will be sharing how it is handled with our franchisees.

While there are several things that will be happening at a Corvus Discovery meeting, there are many things that most certainly will NOT be happening. Specifically, no sale or pressure is applied whatsoever to the prospective franchisee. The meeting is simply intended for two purposes. First, we provide the individual with regulatory paperwork called a Federal Disclosure Document. Then, we explain Corvus’ franchise system. During that explanation, we will typically go through the different features and benefits while also addressing cost structures and ongoing fees. In other words, the goal is to explain to potential franchisees how our system works and what it costs. We want anyone that is considering joining our team to make an informed decision about starting an office cleaning business.

Although a general presentation is a part of the meeting, the balance of time is usually spent addressing any and all questions and concerns the prospective franchisee may have. Additionally, for any franchise company, it would be against federal regulations and laws to affect any sale until the minimum 14 day holding period has passed following the Disclosure Meeting. Corvus highly recommends that all interested individuals review and thoroughly read FDD materials, including providing the FDD to an advisor, attorney or CPA to receive additional professional counsel or advice.

STEP 4: LAUNCH

Once the fourteen-day holding period has passed, an individual may become eligible to purchase a Corvus Cleaning Franchise. To do so, the individual contacts their regional Corvus support office to schedule a closing, or as we call it, an opening. Business openings typically occur on Fridays, but regional offices will always be willing to schedule an opening at a time that works for the franchisee. Generally, a business opening takes approximately 1-2 hours. Oftentimes, a regional office will attempt to include some initial cursory training at the time of signing. Once the individual purchases their franchise, becoming an owner of an essential business, training and orientation is scheduled…and then it’s time to launch!

As you can see, there is a lot of careful consideration and time that goes into deciding to start an office cleaning business by opening a franchise. While we at Corvus Janitorial are only one franchise of the many available, we hope this gives you a little more insight into what’s ahead if you decide to venture into the world of franchising.

If you are interested in learning more about business ownership with Corvus Janitorial Systems, inquire today to speak to a local representative.

Cleaning Matters: The Importance of Floor Care | Pro-Tips from Corvus Franchisees and Personnel

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The Importance of Floor Care

…$.30 per square foot or $4.00 per square foot to replace

Most facility or office managers know the importance of floor cleaning, insisting their workspaces receive regular sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming as a part of their regular janitorial services. However, many organizations overlook the importance of more technical floor care processes. This can be a costly oversight in terms of both appearance and cost. Whether an office possesses a soft, carpeted floor or a harder floor material like vinyl or terrazzo, methods for deeper cleaning and protection of those surfaces both exist and should be utilized at least twice per year.

Carpet Cleaning – Hot Water Extraction

In the case of carpets, steaming the material, also referred to as hot water extraction, is an essential part of the process. Hot water extraction is a method by which hot water and a properly diluted carpet cleaning solution are injected into the fibers of the carpet using relatively high-pressure. This form of cleaning yields several desirable results.

First, this method dislodges debris, dirt, and dander from carpeted materials. The same debris which causes foul odors can contribute to sinus or allergy issues by contaminating the air, or simply render the carpet’s aesthetic unpleasant to the eye.

Hot water extraction also allows for agitation of the chemical application that further cleans the carpeted material, all before being vacuumed up by a high-power suction hose attached to the equipment. While some organizations use truck-mounted carpet cleaning techniques, hot water extraction works at a lower pressure level which, in turn, keeps the liquid and chemical from overly pressurizing the important adhesive material used to attach carpet to the subfloor.

Hard Floor Cleaning – Strip and Refinish

When it comes to cleaning hard floors, more rigorous applications for cleaning and protecting floors also exist. Notably, a service called “stripping and refinishing”, or “stripping and waxing”, stands out as the gold standard for floor protection and maintenance of aesthetics.

Typically, when a floor is installed, a layer of floor finish, or sealant, coats the top surface of the raw floor. This provides protection from wear and tear by creating an in-between layer of sealant. As the sealant is worn down by typical traffic and other use, the floor becomes increasingly prone to scrapes, scuffs, or cuts into the actual flooring. Unfortunately, this could lead to a costly replacement process.

Moreover, debris, dust, and dirt usually begin to seep into eroding sealant. As this happens, the “deep, wet” desirable look turns dull, giving the floor the appearance of being unclean and unattractive. The remedy for these phenomena is to remove the sealant with a cleaning chemical called a “stripper”. Essentially, this is the commercial cleaning version of fingernail polish. Once the sealant is removed and the floor material is exposed, janitorial service providers can begin coating the floor with a floor finish or “wax”.

Stripping and waxing not only protects the floor as it dries “hard”; the acrylic in the compound also provides the floor with the wet look that gives it that much-desired sparkle and shine. Of course, the reapplied finish also builds back up a protective layer, which mitigates the potential for damage. The strip and refinish process will not only save the unfortunate cost of ultimately having to completely replace the flooring, it will also restore it to its former, shiny glory.

Considering the cleaning and sanitary benefits of hot water extraction carpet cleaning or stripping and refinishing, pursuing a floor program seems like an easy decision. However, further comparing the relative prices of floor replacement – $3 – $6 per square foot – against service cost – $0.10 – $0.35 per square foot, the choice becomes a no brainer.

Corvus Janitorial Systems

With over two decades of experience, Corvus Janitorial Systems has perfected floor care. We use a wide range of techniques and tools to maintain facilities of all types. Reach out to us today for a free quote for your floor care, cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sanitizing needs.

Understanding Dwell Time and Why It’s Important

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The words “dwell time” have been thrown around quite a bit more this year than in any other year in the past. Dwell time, or contact time, is the appropriate amount of time that a disinfectant has to remain visibly moist on the surface being cleaned to effectively kill the germs, viruses, or bacteria you’re combating. One common disinfecting mistake is spraying the disinfectant and wiping it away without giving it any time to work its magic.

Without adhering to the right dwell time, the disinfectant won’t have enough time to do its job, which is to disinfect and kill the targeted pathogen. While the disinfectant may kill some of the bacteria or germs on the surface, it won’t be nearly as effective as it would be if you had followed the suggested dwell time. In many cases, this bad habit leaves behind surfaces that aren’t disinfected at all. So, let’s clear up some of the mystery behind dwell times:

What is the right dwell time?

The right dwell time will vary depending both on the disinfectant you’re using and the goal you’re trying to achieve. For example, a regular household disinfectant that’s meant to kill germs that cause the common cold may have a much different dwell time than a stronger disinfectant that’s approved for use against the coronavirus. And the dwell time for different disinfectants can range drastically, lasting anywhere from a mere 30 seconds to 15 minutes.

But there’s good news: you don’t have to do the math or work too hard to find the answer. The dwell time of your disinfectant should be listed right on the label! If it’s not, you can find the dwell time by searching for your disinfectant on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website. Disinfectants approved for fighting fast-spreading viruses like COVID will likely have shorter dwell times. This may seem counterintuitive, but trust the process; a single-minute dwell time simply means less time waiting around and more time protecting your loved ones, employees, and customers.

Which disinfectants should I be using?

If you already have disinfectants at home, check the label or the EPA’s website to see if they are approved for use against COVID-19. Otherwise, finding the right disinfectants has been a bit challenging for many over the last few months. Just like finding toilet paper was in April. Clorox and Lysol are two of the most common household disinfectants and they are generally effective against COVID (always double-check the specific product before use), but if they have a longer dwell time, they may not be your best option.

One favorite this year has been Diversey’s Oxivir TB Wipes. These have a dwell time of one minute and are approved for use against COVID pathogens. While the shorter contact time makes effective disinfecting easier, there’s one other thing to keep in mind: make sure the surface doesn’t dry before the dwell time is up. If it dries, you’ll have to reapply. Diversey wipes (when used appropriately) tend to keep the surface wet for the required dwell time, so this shouldn’t be a problem here if you can get your hands on some.

What is the shelf-life of diluted disinfectants?

While many effective disinfectants come ready to use, others may need to be diluted with water. These are typically used in the old-school-style of disinfecting that involves filling a bucket with the diluted disinfectant and dipping towels or rags in it. They’re effective for a variety of surfaces, but they have a short shelf-life once you alter them. Your disinfectant’s label should give you the right time frame that you have to use it in before disposing of what’s left.

Are dwell times really that important?

When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting, there are plenty of opinions and suggestions floating around. Dwell time isn’t one of them. Following the appropriate dwell time is a requirement for effective disinfecting. The EPA puts in a lot of work to test and confirm the effectiveness of different disinfectants so that we don’t have to. If the end goal is thorough and effective disinfection of any surface, letting the disinfectant dwell for as long as the label specifies is crucial.

Corvus Janitorial Systems

While we’re sharing space with COVID-19, following the appropriate cleaning and disinfecting procedures is more important than ever. If figuring out the ins and outs of effective office or business cleaning feels overwhelming, we’re here to help. We understand the appropriate dwell times of common disinfectants, use high-grade chemicals and procedures, and offer a variety of advanced services specifically designed to fight fast-moving viruses like COVID.

If your workplace is in need of commercial cleaning and/or disinfecting services, contact your local Corvus Janitorial Systems team for a free consultation and quote.

Organize for Success: Cleaning Tips from Corvus Franchisees and Personnel

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Organize for Success

Typically, when we think of operating a business, we think about the actual delivery of the product or service. And as it relates to the office cleaning business, clearly delivery of high-quality cleaning and disinfecting is key to maintaining a thriving business. After all, if customers are not receiving the service which they deserve, they won’t be customers for long. However, it’s also important to focus on activities and systems that occur before, during, and after service delivery. The little details are the things that take a business from mediocre to extraordinary.

Organizing Your Route of Accounts

Before delivering the service of an exemplary cleaning, you’ve got to organize your routes and make a schedule. Whether you are a large operator of a janitorial services business or a small purveyor of office cleaning, building out your weekly, or monthly, schedule of customer accounts to be cleaned in a visible manner is enormously important to succeeding. A calendared view with account names, days cleaned, approximate length of service, and location changes everything. You can plan for what equipment and chemicals are needed as well as assist in providing visibility into other potential costs like travel expenditures. A high-level view of the customer schedule may seem small, but it packs a powerful punch.

Pre-Cleaning Prep

Similar to an athlete preparing for a big game, successful owners and operators of office cleaning businesses prepare for their cleans on a nightly basis. Once you have a laid-out route and schedule, you can then begin to think about the specific clients, their needs, and how you’ll meet those needs. According to Jonathan Frias, Regional Director at Corvus of Northwest Arkansas, “I always remind our franchisees to do the prep work for nightly cleaning at some point during the afternoon. That is the time to not only ensure you have your chemicals, equipment, and other tools ready to go, but it is also a good time to think through what hot spots, areas of focus, or special attention a customer account needs. Mentally getting ready for the work that needs to be done is an essential part of being successful”. Just like athletes, you’re never going to reach your true potential of success without being prepared for what is ahead.

Organizing the Clean

Why start from scratch on each clean? Why waste time finding new ways to do what you already know works? As the saying goes, “don’t reinvent the wheel”. Corvus Franchisees learn to create established cleaning patterns that they follow at each office or place of work. They spend time learning, organizing, and implementing the most impactful cleaning and disinfecting techniques in a manner that optimizes both the client’s time and the Franchisee’s time. Once the cleaning plan is established and proven effective, consistently following it not only helps in terms of ensuring wonderful service, it also allows for improvement on the quality and efficiency of it.

Finishing Up

Finally, once an office is cleaned, disinfected, and secured, there remains more to do if you truly want to be successful. “I always load my vehicle the same way after a clean, making sure I have all my chemicals and equipment. Leaving anything in an account does not only irritate a customer; it puts me in a jam for the next clean…or, worse, if I don’t recover whatever I left, costs me money. There is no excuse for not collecting and organizing your tool kit”, said Latarsha Key, a Corvus of Jacksonville Franchisee.

Michael Kerby, Regional Director of Corvus of Denver, takes that advice a step further by adding, “…and the work really isn’t done until a Franchisee checks his or her inventory levels, cleans their equipment, launders rags or mop heads, and stows their gear…if you will”. Clearly, organizing, cleaning, and taking care of the tools needed to provide an excellent clean is a critical part of succeeding in the office cleaning business. Again, with the athlete analogy, if an athlete simply walks off the court or field and goes home, they’re never going to be truly successful. They’ve got to stretch, reflect, shower, and clean up. Once you can look back and appreciate a job well done with nothing left unturned, then you can call it a day.

To learn more about the janitorial service industry or receive information about Corvus Janitorial Systems’ Office Cleaning Franchise Opportunity, call or email our team today.

Commercial Cleaning Contracts: What You Need to Know

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Now more than ever, cleaning matters. As more and more businesses open their doors to employees and the public, ensuring that workplaces are clean and sanitary has never been a bigger priority. Business owners across the country are working diligently to keep customers and employees alike healthy. For many businesses, this means enhanced protocols for cleaning and disinfecting.

Demand for commercial cleaning services is at an all-time high and is still growing. With so many new cleaning contracts up for grabs, you may be wondering how you can get your cleaning business in front of potential customers. Read on for insights on how to acquire office cleaning contracts, bid customer contracts, collect money from clients, and more.

Choosing the Right Facilities to Clean

Determining what type of facility you wish to target is critical, and when selecting facility types it’s important to think about how facilities and industries differ. For instance, light industrial or manufacturing facilities likely require a less detailed level of service than a medical office or daycare facility. The facility cleaning needs change with the organization’s varying purposes. An organization tasked with the welfare of infants will have far different needs than an organization tasked with distributing cardboard boxes. In thinking about what types of customers you want to pursue, think about your skills, strengths, and weaknesses…determining what suits your skill set best will help you identify your ideal customers. Some companies may not need or want recurring janitorial services, but they may require special event cleaning after an office party. As with recurring commercial cleaning contracts, special event clean up contracts will have a wide variety of needs, and the entrepreneur must decide which of these opportunities to go after.

Keep Your Cleaning Customers Close – Travel, Expenses, Logistics

Travel and logistics should play a role when you are selecting clients to target. Travel time represents a real cost in terms of money and your time and should not be overlooked in deciding which types of contracts your office cleaning business wants to target. It is highly advisable to calculate the cost associated with traveling to client accounts. Moreover, researching areas where your target accounts can be found and selling to areas of closer proximity is very important. Clustering your cleaning accounts in geographic locations that are close to one another will reduce your commute time and the associated costs, as well as limit the chance of a missed clean due to traffic or other unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances.

Types of Commercial Janitorial Services

Creating a menu of the services your professional cleaning company intends to provide is important in terms of selling and pricing your cleaning contracts. Variables such as how often per week or per month you intend to offer service will impact not only your time commitment but also the cost the customer will pay for your services. Another variable to consider is the level of cleaning you intend to provide on a nightly, weekly, or monthly basis. For instance, you may elect to provide weekly high dusting in your cleaning contracts, or you might decide to provide high dusting every night. In the second case, your cleaning company will be spending more time in the client facility to perform high dusting, thereby driving your personal cost higher – which in turn should be passed on to the client.

How to Get Office Cleaning Customers…Tools to Use

Traditional Sales Channels

After you have identified your ideal customer, decided which geographic area(s) to target, and defined your service offerings, it is time to begin selling contracts. Traditionally, the most effective and cost-efficient way to get commercial cleaning contracts is by picking up the phone and dialing, aka cold calling. If you already have a network with local business owners or office managers, tapping this network is a great place to start selling. Once you establish a base of satisfied customers, you can ask them to refer you to other businesses in their building, network, or industry. Word-of-mouth referrals are a strong vote of confidence for your brand and will make selling contracts to new clients much easier. Cold calling, networking, and customer referrals can help jumpstart your business, however, they cannot ensure consistent, stable growth in the long run.

Marketing Your Cleaning Business

Additional marketing efforts are necessary if you aim to acquire a large customer base. Fliers and pamphlets are a time-tested and relatively low-cost method to spread the word about your cleaning company. Contacting and building relationships with real estate agents and property managers is another great way to obtain customer contracts. Classified ads in newspapers are also an effective source to sell cleaning contracts, and classified ads are much cheaper than larger newspaper ads. In the age of the internet, a digital marketing strategy is critical to be a true competitor in the commercial cleaning industry. Increasingly, businesses are turning to the web to find and hire professional cleaners. An established online presence is important to winning customer contracts, and the foundation of this presence is creating a website for your cleaning company. An effective website will showcase your service offerings, provide information about your business, and tell your brand’s story. Make sure to include contact information on your website – inbound web traffic are likely high potential contract prospects.

Pricing Commercial Cleaning Contracts

Frequency and scope of service (or level of service) ultimately will determine how to price a cleaning contract. If you intend to service a restaurant or bar, for example, there is a big difference between cleaning the dining area and cleaning the kitchen. In the latter case, a much more intensive clean will be required, as the customer will expect an absolutely spotless kitchen. These elevated expectations should be reflected in the contract. Ultimately, you should take a consultative approach to understanding client expectations, customizing cleaning schedules, determining the frequency and scope of work to suit the facility needs and client desires, generating a cleaning contract with terms, and outlining conditions and pricing to match the client’s desires.

Collecting Money from Customer Contracts

Finally, creating a billing schedule and agreement represents an often-overlooked aspect of starting an office cleaning business. On the one hand, launching a cleaning company and getting clients can be fun and exhilarating, but the end goal is to create financial security and additional income. Therefore, no process is more important than building policies for billing and collecting money owed from customers.

Generally speaking, office cleaning companies offer “terms” to clients in the cleaning contract. What this means is a cleaning company may ask to be paid at a specified date following the receipt of the invoice that corresponds to the delivery of service. For instance, net 30 indicates the customer must pay the office cleaning company 30 days after receipt of the invoice, net 10 indicates payment is to be expected 10 days following receipt of invoice, and so on and so forth. Depending on your savings and capital reserves, you should select a payment term that ensures a steady flow of incoming funds which you’ll need to replenish supplies, continue marketing your service, and, best of all, set aside to increase your savings. Cash flow is king and establishing terms to meet your company’s cash flow needs is a key to success.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, the success of any business is determined by how much and how often they are able to sell. Above all else, consistency is crucial to building, growing, and maintaining a profitable commercial cleaning business. Therefore, having systems in place for sales, marketing, and collections is highly recommended to any business owner who aims to make a profit. Determining your service offerings and identifying your target customer and market are only the first steps to operating a successful commercial cleaning company. The development of a marketing strategy is ultimately how you will acquire customer cleaning contracts, and you must also build out a system to price contracts, distribute bids, and collect money from clients. Getting cleaning contracts – and retaining them – is by no means an easy task, but with the right systems in place, a commercial cleaning business can provide consistent and reliable income to a hungry entrepreneur.

Franchise with Corvus: We Get Cleaning Contracts for You

If you are a professional cleaner looking for contracts or are simply interested in learning more about owning your own business, the Corvus Team is here to help. Our dedicated sales and marketing teams do the hard work for you – all you have to do is clean! Contact us today to learn about franchising with Corvus.

CEO Shares Home Cleaning and Disinfecting Tips

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Good Morning Arkansas

Interview with Corvus Janitorial CEO Justin Douglas

Corvus Janitorial Systems’ founder and co-CEO, Justin Douglas, sat down with KATV ABC7: Good Morning Arkansas’ Alyson Courtney to discuss cleaning and disinfecting your home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This interview aired on April 13, 2020.

Reporter:

Well, now more than ever cleaning services and cleaning thoroughly are vital. Cleaning expert Justin Douglas has been in the cleaning and janitorial business for more than 20 years and has some helpful tips to keep you from making some cleaning mistakes.

Courtney:

Justin, yes you guys are vitally important. The janitorial services that we just kind of took for granted for a long time. Really now, at the forefront of this pandemic, we need those cleaning services now more than ever. For people at home, what are some of the things that we need to keep in mind as we’re trying to clean our own homes?

Douglas:

Well, I think one of the big things that people need to be aware of is their schedule, what they’re cleaning, how often, and being aware of those high touchpoints. That’s where the germs and the disinfecting, of course, need to take place because everyone in your home is handling those items and objects.

Courtney:

There’re some mistakes out there that I’m sure that you notice as a professional in this business that a lot of us at home are making. Talk about some of those big mistakes.

Douglas:

Yeah, I think the biggest mistake that people are making has to do with the chemicals as well as the application of them. So, you want to clean a surface, but then you need to disinfect it. And when you’re doing that, you need to let the chemical dwell to have enough time to kill whatever it needs to kill–in this case, it’s a virus or bacteria. So, that two-step process is critical.

The other thing that I think people are making mistakes about is re-infecting areas that are clean. So, the frequency of cleaning those surfaces, how you’re cleaning them, again just being mindful of the fact that you may clean something in the morning, but it may need to be hit again in the afternoon and the evening as many times as possible. You know, avoiding re-infecting areas.

Courtney:

The dirtiest parts of our homes might not necessarily be where we think they are.

Douglas:

That’s right. I mean, what people have typically thought about cleaning–vacuuming the floors, trash–that, of course, is also still important, but you know, it’s become very different now.

I think that appliances are probably the dirtiest places in the house. And specifically, washing machines, dryers, and quite frankly, your trash bin because that’s where soiled materials are going to go. It’s just not a part of our regular routine so we’re reminding people that of course, you’re hitting the appliances as we said, but anywhere that soiled materials–rags, cloths, paper towels– that you’ve used to clean are going now needs to be cleaned too.

Courtney:

Let’s talk about the products that we use to clean and disinfect our homes. It’s been hard to find some of those products lately because everyone has gone out to get the Lysol and the disinfecting wipes. What should we be using and what should we use if we can’t necessarily find what we would typically like to use?

Douglas:

Yeah, so I think the supply chain is catching up. But certainly, people went out and bought in bulk and that’s understandable. In terms of a disinfectant, you want to be using an EPA certified disinfectant. The CDC is a great resource for people out there, and they have a list of all of these types of cleaning chemicals that you can use.

You know, in the event that you can’t get something at the store, there are home remedies. I think the thing that your viewers should be very careful about is mixing those home remedies, just as a disclaimer. But bleach is a disinfectant that you can use that the CDC is recommending and you need to dilute it with water correctly. And so is hydrogen peroxide.

Then, there are some more basic remedies, but I don’t think that they’re ideal for this sort of pandemic. White vinegar, for instance, has some disinfecting properties, but EPA certified disinfectant followed by bleach and hydrogen peroxide.

Courtney:

Let’s talk about disinfecting things that we bring into our homes. First off, we have our shoes on. Should we be leaving those outside? Then, as we bring in mail, packages, groceries, should we specifically be disinfecting each of those items?

Douglas:

Yes. And, I think that’s where people break down in terms of their vigilance, if you will. When groceries arrive, when packages come, I mean, frankly, it’s almost the only interaction we’re having with the outside world right now and I think people get excited. But the delivery people who are just as critical, I think, as janitors right now are out in the world and not social distancing.

So, what I think is really important is to set up almost a manufacturing line in your home. If you get home and you get packages, if you can leave them outside for a period of time, put them in your garage, put them somewhere safe. Quarantine those packages, quite frankly, for a period of time and then once that’s elapsed go out and disinfect it with a Lysol or a disinfectant. Then, also, get rid of the packaging that whatever you’ve ordered has come in. Or, if in the case of groceries, if you can take your strawberries from one of those plastic containers and put them into clean Tupperware, that’s what you really need to be doing. So, it’s the chemical, but it’s also the awareness about [the] order of operations for bringing outside objects into your home.

Courtney:

And Justin, are you guys still working as much and how does someone know when they do need a professional to come in?

Douglas:

We are an office cleaning company. Because so many of our customers are now quarantined and sheltering in place, we’re trying to provide home cleaning tips. You know, I think it’s a tricky situation that we’re in, obviously, that’s an understatement. But, for the time being, being aware of who is in your home and who’s not is probably the best and first line of defense. Therefore, if you can do your own cleaning at home, that’s probably the right thing to do. And you know, we’ve all got a lot of people at home these days, so you want to press your family into service and make it a team sport.

Courtney:

Justin, thanks so much for your time. I know you guys are certainly teaching us a lot as we learn to do it ourselves at home and make sure we’re doing it correctly. We appreciate you.

Douglas:

Thank you, it’s a pleasure.

Corvus Janitorial

If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning company that uses only the highest-quality products and proven techniques, Corvus Janitorial is it. For all of your cleaning, purifying, and disinfecting needs, trust Corvus Janitorial. Contact us today to learn more about how Corvus can help you.

The High-Level Disinfecting Method Trusted by Airlines and Hotels

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By now, we all know how important it is to give extra attention to high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas. And that’s not just in your home and or your office space. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the world’s busiest passenger airport, sees 107.4 million passengers each year. To keep up with the high demand, there are over 700,000 hotels and resorts across the globe. Settings like airports and hotels that see near-constant traffic can be hard to keep effectively clean and disinfected, but it’s not impossible if you know how to do it right.

These are a few settings where it’s incredibly important to keep everything clean and disinfected. High-traffic locations can easily spread germs and viruses to millions of people if they’re not properly maintained. Even if the coronavirus changed the way we do it, it’s clear from recent data that we’re not done traveling. So, what are the recommended cleaning and disinfecting procedures for places that see the highest amounts of traffic and have the most high-touch surfaces? The answer might be one you’re not very familiar with yet. Luckily, Corvus Janitorial is.

Disinfecting with Electrostatic Sprayers

Some of the largest airlines in the world are relying on high-level electrostatic sprayers to sanitize every flight and ensure their passengers’ safety. Delta is one of them, reporting that electrostatic spraying “provides a safe and effective way to thoroughly clean an aircraft cabin from floor to ceiling.” Next time you take a flight, you can find comfort in the fact that all high-touch surfaces, including your seat, screen, armrest, tray table, door, and restroom will be disinfected this way. They’ll be used in crew cabins, airline offices, and other settings there, too.

How Electrostatic Sprayers Work

The sprayers work by electrically charging and dispersing high-level liquid disinfectants via fine mists into the air and onto surfaces. This is a highly effective technique used to attack germs, bacteria, and viruses. For years, electrostatic spraying has been used in healthcare settings. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities have long recognized the benefits of employing this method to stop the spread of dangerous germs and infections. But since the coronavirus outbreak, airlines and hotels have broken into the space, too.

An Emerging Trend

Delta’s not the only one that has caught on to this germ-killing super method. Southwest Airlines is also making use of this highly effective method of disinfection, along with United Airlines, and Singapore Air. One of the largest lodging companies in the country, Marriot, has recently upgraded its cleaning procedures to include electrostatic spraying. Another large hotel chain, Hilton, is considering following suit. As we progress further into the year and travel becomes more widely acceptable again (and eagerly anticipated), it’s highly likely that we’ll see this list continue to grow.

Cleaning and Disinfecting for the Future

These high-traffic airlines and hotels are making use of one of the most powerful disinfecting methods we currently have available. And they’re using it in conjunction with other important cleaning and disinfecting methods. We can expect to see more options for virtual, contact-free check-ins, digital room keys, booking buffers, and limited shared spaces (where possible) going forward. The pandemic has changed a lot of things about the ways we all live. While many of the impacts are negative, increased comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting through methods like electrostatic spraying is a huge positive.

This potent disinfectant application is allowing airlines and hotels to take control back from the coronavirus. You can use it to take back control in your office, too. We can’t put our lives on hold forever. But as we begin to return to “normal life,” we might have to make some adjustments. From summer vacations to daily office life, small adjustments can get us back to where we need to be. Corvus Janitorial is offering electrostatic spray services for high-level disinfecting that gives you peace of mind when you need it. Use it to keep your office safe and to reduce the spread of both the coronavirus and other viruses, too.

Corvus Janitorial

If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning company that uses only the highest-quality products and proven techniques, Corvus Janitorial is it. For all of your cleaning, purifying, and disinfecting needs, trust Corvus Janitorial. Contact us today to learn more about how Corvus can help you.