30 Questions to Ask a Janitorial Company Before You Hire

The most useful questions to ask a janitorial company cover seven areas: trust credentials, staffing, scope, quality control, security, pricing and contract terms. Below are 30 specific questions, with notes on what a strong answer sounds like. Use them in interviews, add them to an RFP, or bring them to a walkthrough. A provider that runs a disciplined operation will answer most of them quickly and specifically.

Trust and credentials

1. Can you send a current certificate of insurance? Look for general liability and workers' compensation at minimum. The SBA lists these among common business coverages.
2. Are you bonded, and what does the bond cover? A good answer names the bond type and explains it plainly. See bonded vs insured.
3. Will you name us as an additional insured if our lease requires it? The answer should be a simple yes.
4. Is every person who will enter our building background-checked? Listen for "every person," not "most." See janitorial background checks.
5. How long have you served buildings like ours, and can we speak with two of those clients? References from similar buildings are worth more than general ones.

Staffing

1. Will the same people clean our building each visit? Assigned teams learn the building. Rotating crews do not.
2. How do you cover absences? There should be a defined backup plan.
3. How are new team members trained on our site? Look for site-specific training on scope, security and safety.
4. Who supervises the cleaners, and how often do supervisors visit? A name and a frequency are good signs.
5. How do you handle staff turnover on an account? You want advance notice and introductions, not surprises.

Scope

1. Will you walk our building before quoting? A provider that quotes without a walkthrough is guessing.
2. Can we see a sample written scope? It should list tasks by area and frequency. See our scope of work template.
3. What is not included? Clear exclusions prevent arguments later.
4. How are periodic tasks, such as monthly or quarterly work, scheduled and tracked? "As needed" usually means "rarely."
5. Who supplies consumables like paper and soap? Make sure the answer is in writing.

Quality control

1. How do you know the work was done each visit? Look for checklists and visit logs.
2. How do you inspect quality, and against what standard? Strong answers describe a rubric and a schedule. See janitorial QA inspection scoring.
3. Can we see inspection results? Yes should be the answer.
4. What happens when we report a problem? Listen for logging, correction, verification and confirmation.
5. What do you do when the same problem keeps happening? Good answers involve finding the cause, not just apologizing.

Security and access

1. Who will hold our keys and alarm codes? Names and roles, not "the crew."
2. How are keys and codes logged and recovered? See vendor key and access control.
3. What happens if a key is lost? You should be told immediately.
4. How do you verify the building is locked when you leave? A lock-up checklist is the right answer.
5. What will your team do if they find signs of a break-in or a leak at night? They should follow an escalation procedure you approve.

Safety

1. How are your staff trained on the chemicals they use? OSHA's Hazard Communication standard requires training and access to safety data sheets.
2. Will you follow our site safety rules and PPE requirements? Essential in warehouses, plants and clinics.

Pricing and contract

1. How many labor hours per week does your price assume? This is the most revealing question on the list. See janitorial pricing per square foot.
2. How and when can the price change? Look for a clear process tied to scope changes or a defined review date.
3. What are the term and cancellation terms? Reasonable notice periods on both sides are a sign of confidence. See janitorial contract terms.

How to score the answers

A vendor does not need perfect answers to every question, but the pattern matters. Providers who answer security, quality and labor-hour questions specifically tend to deliver consistently.

Using these questions in an RFP

Copy the questions into your request for proposal and require written answers. Pair them with a written scope and a mandatory walkthrough. For the broader process, see how to choose a commercial cleaning company.

Northmark's answers

We are happy to answer every question on this list in writing. The short version: insured and bonded, every team member background-checked, assigned teams, written scopes, checklist visits, supervisor QA walkthroughs, logged credentials and lock-up checks, and one account contact. Schedule a facility walkthrough to see it in practice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important question to ask a cleaning company?

How many labor hours per week their price assumes. It shows whether the bid can realistically deliver your scope.

Should I ask for references?

Yes, preferably from clients with buildings similar to yours.

What documents should I request?

A certificate of insurance, bond details if bonded, a description of background checks, a sample scope and a sample contract.

Can I use these questions in an RFP?

Yes. Require written answers alongside a written scope and a walkthrough.

Published 2026-10-22 · Updated 2026-10-23 · Northmark Facility Services.