CORONAVIRUS - CLEANING COSTS - 30.06.2020

Polishing off those cleaning costs

Ensuring that the work environment is “Covid-19” clean is likely to be top of every business’ to do list. This could involve more cleaning and more costs, so are there ways to cut back and keep staff safe?

Times have changed

In difficult times cleaning can be one of the first luxuries to go. But as staff gradually return to work, albeit in reduced numbers, you and the other directors will want to have a space that is clean and safe to work in. If it’s not, your staff could end up walking out.

Increased costs. With this in mind, you could be facing a larger cleaning bill as you look to increase the frequency.

Example. Acom has an office of 100 staff spread across one floor. It is open plan with a boardroom and five meeting rooms. Previously, two cleaners came in for three hours twice a week. The cost of this was £180 per week ((£15 x 3 hours x 2 people) x 2). Or £720 per month/£8,640 per year.

Acom wants to have an additional clean each week, adding £90 per week or £360 per month. The new total cost per month would be £1,080; annually the new total would be £12,960, an increase of £4,320.

At ease

Doing this would certainly put the directors’ minds at rest. Staff would also feel more comfortable and this could have benefits for productivity etc. A spotless office space could even help reduce sickness levels, especially in tandem with other new policies, e.g. extra handwashing, gels, etc.

Tidy up. But before Acom opens the chequebook, it should think about the following:

Is the office space the same as it was pre lockdown? If there are fewer staff coming in, some meeting rooms can be closed off, whilst some areas might not be in use. Tip. Do a walk around to explain to the contractor what’s required and how the office will look; despite the need to focus on some additional areas, e.g. wiping handles etc., the time they need could well reduce if there is less space to cover and fewer people in.

Are staff happy to do their bit? Previously, the cleaners may well have had to tidy around clutter on desks, load dishwashers, etc. However, for them to clean effectively, introduce a policy where everyone clears up after themselves, and tidies desks at the end of each day. You’ll probably find staff are keen to do this anyway.

Tip. Ask contractors to focus on essential cleaning and nothing more. During any renegotiations, explain that staff will be taking responsibility for clearing away desks, loading dishwashers, etc. This will improve the speed at which cleaners can work and bring the contract costs down.

Tip. Don’t be afraid to shop around, but in the circumstances, it is essential to use a reputable firm with experienced staff.

What you’ll save

Using the example above, the contractor agrees to come in three times per week but will need just 2.25 hours (4.5 hours total for two cleaners) with each visit. As such, costs go up but only slightly.

Cleaners Cost/hour Hours/week total Cost/month total
Usual 2 £15 12 £720
Increased 2 £15 18 £1,080
Increased + efficient 2 £15 13.5 £810

Increasing the frequency of office cleaning has obvious benefits in the current climate. However, the additional costs of this can be reduced if contractors understand exactly what is required. In our example this saved £270.

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