Choosing a commercial cleaning service for your Melbourne business should be straightforward. In practice, it's a decision that many business owners get wrong — often because they focus on the wrong things, or take the cheapest quote without considering what they're actually getting.
The consequence of a poor choice isn't just a dirty office. It can mean unreliable service, staff who never show up, cleaners without proper insurance, and products that damage surfaces or trigger allergies. Switching providers is always a hassle, so getting it right the first time saves you significant time and frustration.
Here are the key factors to look for — and what the right answers sound like.
1. Verify They Have Proper Insurance
This is non-negotiable and, surprisingly, often overlooked. A professional commercial cleaning company operating in Victoria should carry:
- Public liability insurance — covers damage to your property or injury to third parties
- Workers' compensation — covers their employees if injured on your premises
Always ask to see certificates of currency before signing anything. If a cleaner is reluctant to provide these, walk away. Any incident on your property involving an uninsured worker could expose your business to significant liability.
This is particularly important for businesses in Melbourne's CBD, Southbank, or inner-city high-rise buildings where building management may require proof of insurance before granting access.
2. Assess Their Reliability Record — Not Just Their Promises
Every cleaning service will tell you they're reliable. What you want is evidence. Ask:
- How long have you been operating?
- Can you provide references from current clients in a similar industry?
- What happens if your regular cleaner is sick — do you have backup cover?
- How do you handle missed cleans or complaints?
The substitution question is crucial. Many cleaning services rely on a single person for each client. If that person is unavailable, your premises simply don't get cleaned. Ask directly how they handle this — a professional service will have a clear answer.
Testimonials on a website are worth something, but a genuine reference call from a real client in Melbourne's northern suburbs or western corridor is worth far more. If a provider can't supply references, that tells you something.
3. Ask About Their Products — Especially If You Have Preferences
More Melbourne businesses than ever are asking about the products their cleaners use. This is partly environmental consciousness, partly health awareness (fragrance-free or hypoallergenic products for staff with sensitivities), and partly a simple preference for transparency.
A good commercial cleaner should be able to tell you:
- Which brands and product lines they use, and why
- Whether their products are biodegradable or eco-certified
- Whether they can substitute products if you have staff with specific allergies or sensitivities
- How they handle chemicals — storage, disposal, safe handling
Eco-conscious cleaning doesn't mean sacrificing effectiveness. TGA-registered or EPA-approved disinfectants, combined with good technique, clean just as effectively as harsh chemicals — without the chemical residue, sharp odours, or environmental impact.
4. Look for Clear, Transparent Pricing
Commercial cleaning pricing in Melbourne varies widely. Be cautious of two extremes: quotes that seem absurdly cheap (cutting corners is inevitable at those rates) and vague pricing that only crystallises into a real number once you've signed up.
A trustworthy cleaning service will provide:
- A written quote with a clear breakdown of what's included
- Clarity on what's extra — consumables, deep cleaning, carpet cleaning
- Honest rate increases communicated in advance, not sprung on you mid-contract
- No lock-in contract pressure — or at minimum, a clear explanation of cancellation terms
Watch for: "After-hours surcharges" and "minimum visit fees" that don't appear in the initial quote. Always ask for the fully-loaded total cost per week or month, including all applicable fees, before agreeing to anything.
5. Check That Their Hours Fit Your Business
Commercial cleaning is almost always done outside business hours — either early morning before staff arrive, or late evening after everyone leaves. Make sure the provider can work within your specific window.
For hospitality venues, this is critical — bar and restaurant cleaning typically happens in the early hours after the last customer leaves. For Southbank office towers, access may be restricted to specific hours. For a medical clinic in Ringwood, after-hours cleaning may be preferred for privacy reasons.
Ask specifically: "What time would you clean our premises?" and confirm this works practically with your building access, security system, and any neighbours who might be affected by noise.
6. Evaluate Their Communication Style Early
The way a provider communicates before you become a client gives you an excellent preview of how they'll communicate once they are. Consider:
- Did they respond quickly to your inquiry?
- Did they ask to see the space before quoting, or guess?
- Were they listening to your specific needs, or just pitching a standard package?
- Do they have a clear point of contact for ongoing issues?
A commercial cleaning relationship works best when communication is easy. If you notice an area is being missed, you need to be able to say so and have it fixed — not chase someone down across multiple phone calls and emails.
7. Consider Their Flexibility as Your Business Changes
Your cleaning needs in February might look different to your needs in December. Seasonal businesses, growing businesses, or businesses that shift premises all need a cleaning partner who can adjust.
Ask directly: "If we grow and need additional locations cleaned, can you accommodate that?" or "If we reduce hours for a period, how would that work?" A confident, well-run service will have clear answers. A hesitant or evasive response is a flag.
Bringing It All Together
The best commercial cleaning service for your Melbourne business isn't necessarily the cheapest, the most prominent advertiser, or the one with the slickest website. It's the one that turns up reliably, cleans thoroughly, communicates honestly, and treats your business with the same care they'd want for their own.
At Teddy's Cleaning Systems, we start with a conversation. We want to understand your space, your priorities, and your specific requirements before we quote — because that's the only way to give you a price that's honest and a service that actually fits. We're fully insured, use eco-conscious products, and believe transparency is the foundation of every good working relationship.
If you're looking for a Melbourne commercial cleaning service that takes all of the above seriously, we'd love to have that conversation.