What Unrealistic Custodial Budgets Mean For Cleaning Levels

In custodial operations, we sometimes get inquiries regarding our staffing and how many people are needed to maintain a facility. One reader reached out stating that they were being questioned about staffing, but that under the contract agreement, they were to clean the facility with whatever resources necessary. This begs the question, do customers have a right to question the custodial staffing plan?

In a prior article we determined that staffing was insufficient to provide the level of service that is outlined in the specifications. The result is skip cleaning with little dusting and attention to other key details that the customer expects. Once the complaints start, the customer has a right and a responsibility to investigate not only the valid complaints but also question whether there is sufficient staff to clean the facility. In this case, we determined that your staffing is less than 50 percent of what you originally budgeted and this is unacceptable.

We also noted that most of the equipment is either aged or just plain broken resulting in staffing having to use a broom/dustpan instead of a vacuum cleaner. In reviewing the budget, there is more than enough money to purchase up to date equipment. If workers are damaging the equipment, it is your job to supervise and train to a better standard. We also noted that you are utilizing "buddy jugs" instead of a closed dispenser or chemical packets. The buddy jugs were unlabeled and could result in fines at the very least. Three products used for different jobs were all blue which means the staff have to spray some on their hands, smell it and the decide what surface it is designed to clean.

If you want to keep the customer out of your business, make sure that he/she does not have complaints from tenants holding them accountable for your lack of cleaning. We will continue our thoughts in a future article.

Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.