Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
How Safe is My Building at Night?
This subject comes up in several different forms during the course of my work over the years. Questions like, "Who will be cleaning my building?" or "Who will have keys to my building?" are common. These are good, legitimate questions. There is nothing wrong with a prospective client asking these sorts of questions.
It all boils down to one basic premise: how safe is my building at night? It is stepping out on faith to allow a vendor to perform service on your facility after everyone has gone home. Whether it is janitorial service, floor care, or painting, and if you are having work done after business hours, this will be a cause of concern.
If a major project or service is needing to be done it will shut down a part or even all of your facility. So after hours work would have to be done. Stripping and waxing vct floors, carpet cleaning and deep cleaning are all major services. You don't want your employees or customers having to deal with the slip and fall hazards that these services include.
Looking at things from your perspective, you may be thinking, "What questions should I be asking?" I will go through several things to look for and questions you should ask before allowing any vendor to perform work in your building after hours.
The first and obvious choice is to have the work done during business hours. There are good reasons for this, but most often it is impractical. Due to the interruption of your own workday and the interruption of your employees workday, production may be decreased due to the distraction of outside vendors in your facility.
It is okay to ask if an accomodation can be made to have work done during business hours. However, it may also incur a greater cost to you, since this will put a constraint on the vendor.
There are a small number of buildings that are done during business hours, however most of our clients prefer to have janitorial and floor care performed after hours.
Another option is to have one of your own employees present when the work is being done. This method is used by retailers most often. It is a compromise between the loss/theft department and the facility management departments. The work is then done before the facility opens or after it closes and the employee stays with the vendor's crew until the work is complete. The employee would then lock the building up after the crew leaves.
The third and most common option is to give the vendor a set of keys to your building and alarm codes so they can come after hours and leave when the job is complete. This keeps you from having to pay an employee overtime, and saves the general inconvenience to your employees. Which brings up back to the original question, how safe is my building at night?
There are several things you do need to ask any service provider before allowing them access to your building. There are also preventative measures that can be used to insure the safety of your facility.
The first question you should ask your prospective vendor is about bond and commercial insurance. I have covered this in an earlier blog titled "Bonded & Insured: What Does It Mean?" For sake of space I will not go into great detail here. Basically any and every vendor or contractor should have their own commercial general liablility insurance. This will cover your building and its contents on any damages that may occur during the course of work. Also, make sure to ask if the company has a theft policy.
The second question you should ask is, do they have local references. Other companies that are doing business with them will tell you not only if they are doing a good job, but also if they are trustworthy. Always be leery of any company who does not have local references. Make sure to contact the references to check the validity and accuracy of them.
A third question to ask is, do they do background checks. Drug testing may also be used, but clean backgrounds of all personnel is a must. People who have any convictions, whether misdemeanor or felony, should not be allowed in your building.
Precautions that can be in place to insure your building's security are: separate alarm codes for the contractors, and definite schedules for service. Separate alarm codes allow you to monitor any and all traffic into your facility after hours. By definitive times of service, we mean that you put a deadline on what time and days services are to be done. Having your building serviced on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights before eleven pm is an example.
While there is no way to absolutely guarantee the safety and security of your facility all of the time, the above mentioned suggestions will greatly reduce the chance of things going wrong. Above all, when you interview any contractor before service is to begin, what is your overall impression of them? Do they look professional? Do they have all their paperwork in place? Do the references listed give favorable recommendations? These are the greatest tools you have at your disposal.
If you would like a no cost, no obligation consultation for your facility, please contact us at http://www.allianceofeasttexas.com/. Or call us at (903) 291-8169.
It all boils down to one basic premise: how safe is my building at night? It is stepping out on faith to allow a vendor to perform service on your facility after everyone has gone home. Whether it is janitorial service, floor care, or painting, and if you are having work done after business hours, this will be a cause of concern.
If a major project or service is needing to be done it will shut down a part or even all of your facility. So after hours work would have to be done. Stripping and waxing vct floors, carpet cleaning and deep cleaning are all major services. You don't want your employees or customers having to deal with the slip and fall hazards that these services include.
Looking at things from your perspective, you may be thinking, "What questions should I be asking?" I will go through several things to look for and questions you should ask before allowing any vendor to perform work in your building after hours.
The first and obvious choice is to have the work done during business hours. There are good reasons for this, but most often it is impractical. Due to the interruption of your own workday and the interruption of your employees workday, production may be decreased due to the distraction of outside vendors in your facility.
It is okay to ask if an accomodation can be made to have work done during business hours. However, it may also incur a greater cost to you, since this will put a constraint on the vendor.
There are a small number of buildings that are done during business hours, however most of our clients prefer to have janitorial and floor care performed after hours.
Another option is to have one of your own employees present when the work is being done. This method is used by retailers most often. It is a compromise between the loss/theft department and the facility management departments. The work is then done before the facility opens or after it closes and the employee stays with the vendor's crew until the work is complete. The employee would then lock the building up after the crew leaves.
The third and most common option is to give the vendor a set of keys to your building and alarm codes so they can come after hours and leave when the job is complete. This keeps you from having to pay an employee overtime, and saves the general inconvenience to your employees. Which brings up back to the original question, how safe is my building at night?
There are several things you do need to ask any service provider before allowing them access to your building. There are also preventative measures that can be used to insure the safety of your facility.
The first question you should ask your prospective vendor is about bond and commercial insurance. I have covered this in an earlier blog titled "Bonded & Insured: What Does It Mean?" For sake of space I will not go into great detail here. Basically any and every vendor or contractor should have their own commercial general liablility insurance. This will cover your building and its contents on any damages that may occur during the course of work. Also, make sure to ask if the company has a theft policy.
The second question you should ask is, do they have local references. Other companies that are doing business with them will tell you not only if they are doing a good job, but also if they are trustworthy. Always be leery of any company who does not have local references. Make sure to contact the references to check the validity and accuracy of them.
A third question to ask is, do they do background checks. Drug testing may also be used, but clean backgrounds of all personnel is a must. People who have any convictions, whether misdemeanor or felony, should not be allowed in your building.
Precautions that can be in place to insure your building's security are: separate alarm codes for the contractors, and definite schedules for service. Separate alarm codes allow you to monitor any and all traffic into your facility after hours. By definitive times of service, we mean that you put a deadline on what time and days services are to be done. Having your building serviced on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights before eleven pm is an example.
While there is no way to absolutely guarantee the safety and security of your facility all of the time, the above mentioned suggestions will greatly reduce the chance of things going wrong. Above all, when you interview any contractor before service is to begin, what is your overall impression of them? Do they look professional? Do they have all their paperwork in place? Do the references listed give favorable recommendations? These are the greatest tools you have at your disposal.
If you would like a no cost, no obligation consultation for your facility, please contact us at http://www.allianceofeasttexas.com/. Or call us at (903) 291-8169.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
How to Care for Your VCT (tile) Floor
Another question I am frequently asked is "what can you do for my hard (vct) floors? I will take a minute to explain what vct is and the optimum care for it.
VCT is short for vinyl composite tile. This is the type of floor that you see in most hospital hallways and many other commercial buildings. Some people just call it "tile" floors, but I find this ambiguous since ceramic tile is becoming more frequent in commercial buildings.
VCT has been around for many years. The most common size is twelve inches by twelve inches. You may also find eight by eight inch tiles in older buildings, but this will commonly be ACT (asbestos composite tile). ACT has been phased out, but if your building has it, the tips I give below will work on either type of floor.
There are several different approaches to the care of your VCT floors, but I will deal with the method used by Alliance of East Texas and Alliance Maintenance.
The steps in care for your VCT floor are pretty straight forward. You may have heard terms such as strip and wax, buffing, polishing, and scrubbing. I will also explain each of these.
Stripping and waxing is a term that refers to removing the existing wax on your floor and applying new wax. Wax is also referred to as "finish" and these two terms are interchangeable. Stripping is a labor intensive process where low speed buffers (floor machines that run 175 rpm) are brought in and remove the wax. First, a mop is used to apply stripper, which should be allowed to sit for ten to fifteen minutes. Then, the low speed buffer is run over the floor with an abrasive pad for stripping. The result is a combination of old wax and stripper that is then vacuumed or mopped up. This process is repeated until all of the wax is removed.
In areas where there is alot of wax, it will be necessary to repeat the stripping process. However, in areas where there is high foot traffic, the wax remaining is usually not heavy and easy to remove. Also, small pads or razors are used against walls or in corners to remove the wax that the buffer cannot reach.
During the strip, a second solution of rinse is used to clean the floor and prevent the old wax from drying back into the floor. If the old wax dries, then the stripping process must be restarted to remove the wax again. Once the floor is stripped, the floors should be rinsed once more to remove any loose remaining wax or particulates, and ensure a clean floor to wax.
The floor must then be allowed to dry completely before any wax can be applied. Wax is applied in coats. The first coat is applied by a mop and allowed to dry. Then each additional coat is applied. Depending on the specifications and desired shine, the number of coats of wax is determined.
If a high, lustrous shine is desired, it will typically require six to eight coats. Four coats of wax will deliver a medium shine. Sealer may also be used on your floor. Sealer is applied in the first coat, and sometimes the second. Sealer does just what the term implies, it seals off the porosity of the floor and reduces the amount of wax used in subsequent coats. Sealer is not a mandatory requirement in the waxing of your floors. It is the preference of the floor service company.
After the above steps are completed, your floor is now stripped and waxed. After the last coat of wax is dry, the floor is safe to walk on. It is advisable to allow the floor two to three days to completely "cure" before performing any high speed buffing.
Buffing or polishing refers to using a high speed buffer on the vct floor to bring back a shine and make the wax harder. High speed buffing is done one of three ways: propane, battery operated, and electric. High speed buffers run between 1500 rpms and 2000 rpms depending on the manufacturer. We prefer the propane buffers out of the three we mentioned.
Propane buffers have the same rpms as the electric buffers, but with much more pad pressure. Propane buffers have between 120 pounds and 140 pounds of pad pressure, compared to the 25 pounds to 35 pounds of pad pressure delivered by an electric buffer. This translates into a nice shine that will typically last longer than the electric. It also eliminates the need to keep going over the floor each buff because the pressure is not great enough to provide a good shine on the first pass. Battery operated buffers are less common than the propane buffers. They deliver the same pad pressure as the propane and have a system to collect the loose dust that accumulates during a high speed buff. However, due to the large size of the battery operated buffers, it makes it impractical on small or mid size floors.
Scrub and recoat is a term that refers to using a light rinse on the waxed vct floor with a low speed machine. The floor is not stripped, but just the first coat or two of wax is removed. Then, wax is applied to renew the shine of the vct floor. A scrub and recoat is a good interim method to be used between stripping and waxing.
How often should a floor be stripped and waxed? There is no absolute answer to this question, because each floor is different. A good rule of thumb is to strip and wax at least once a year. Some floors may need to be stripped and waxed twice a year or more. High speed buffing should be done at least once a month. If a vct floor has high foot traffic, it can be buffed once a week to maintain a good appearance. Scrub and recoats can be done at the half way mark between strip and waxes.
Even a brand new vct floor should be stripped and waxed. New vct comes from the manufacturer with a factory sealer, but usually cannot stand up to high traffic.
The most important step of any vct floor is sweeping and mopping. VCT floors should be swept and mopped daily to prevent dirt from scratching and marring the appearance of the floor. Mopping should be done with cold water and a neutral cleaner. If hot water is used on a waxed vct floor, it can cause the wax to come up with the mop and also gives the wax a cloudy appearance. Also, do not use harsh cleaners to mop a vct floor. Bleach or ammonia based products will strip wax off of the vct floor. If you cannot find or run out of neutral cleaner, just use plain cold water. Then, find a suitable neutral cleaner when you resume the maintenance the next day.
To recap the above steps:
1. Sweep and mop your vct floors daily.
2. High speed buff your vct floors at least once a month.
3. Strip and wax your vct floors at least once a year.
4. Scrub and recoats may be done interim of stripping and waxing. (every 6 months)
By following the above steps, or making sure your janitorial provider does, will provide a vct floor with a desirable shine and appearance. It will also increase the life of your vct floors. If properly cared for, vct floors can last for forty years or more.
If you would like to discuss the above blog, or get a no obligation floor bid, please contact us at 903-291-8169. Or, look us up on the web at http://www.allianceofeasttexas.com/. We would be happy to help you in the care and maintenance of your floors.
VCT is short for vinyl composite tile. This is the type of floor that you see in most hospital hallways and many other commercial buildings. Some people just call it "tile" floors, but I find this ambiguous since ceramic tile is becoming more frequent in commercial buildings.
VCT has been around for many years. The most common size is twelve inches by twelve inches. You may also find eight by eight inch tiles in older buildings, but this will commonly be ACT (asbestos composite tile). ACT has been phased out, but if your building has it, the tips I give below will work on either type of floor.
There are several different approaches to the care of your VCT floors, but I will deal with the method used by Alliance of East Texas and Alliance Maintenance.
The steps in care for your VCT floor are pretty straight forward. You may have heard terms such as strip and wax, buffing, polishing, and scrubbing. I will also explain each of these.
Stripping and waxing is a term that refers to removing the existing wax on your floor and applying new wax. Wax is also referred to as "finish" and these two terms are interchangeable. Stripping is a labor intensive process where low speed buffers (floor machines that run 175 rpm) are brought in and remove the wax. First, a mop is used to apply stripper, which should be allowed to sit for ten to fifteen minutes. Then, the low speed buffer is run over the floor with an abrasive pad for stripping. The result is a combination of old wax and stripper that is then vacuumed or mopped up. This process is repeated until all of the wax is removed.
In areas where there is alot of wax, it will be necessary to repeat the stripping process. However, in areas where there is high foot traffic, the wax remaining is usually not heavy and easy to remove. Also, small pads or razors are used against walls or in corners to remove the wax that the buffer cannot reach.
During the strip, a second solution of rinse is used to clean the floor and prevent the old wax from drying back into the floor. If the old wax dries, then the stripping process must be restarted to remove the wax again. Once the floor is stripped, the floors should be rinsed once more to remove any loose remaining wax or particulates, and ensure a clean floor to wax.
The floor must then be allowed to dry completely before any wax can be applied. Wax is applied in coats. The first coat is applied by a mop and allowed to dry. Then each additional coat is applied. Depending on the specifications and desired shine, the number of coats of wax is determined.
If a high, lustrous shine is desired, it will typically require six to eight coats. Four coats of wax will deliver a medium shine. Sealer may also be used on your floor. Sealer is applied in the first coat, and sometimes the second. Sealer does just what the term implies, it seals off the porosity of the floor and reduces the amount of wax used in subsequent coats. Sealer is not a mandatory requirement in the waxing of your floors. It is the preference of the floor service company.
After the above steps are completed, your floor is now stripped and waxed. After the last coat of wax is dry, the floor is safe to walk on. It is advisable to allow the floor two to three days to completely "cure" before performing any high speed buffing.
Buffing or polishing refers to using a high speed buffer on the vct floor to bring back a shine and make the wax harder. High speed buffing is done one of three ways: propane, battery operated, and electric. High speed buffers run between 1500 rpms and 2000 rpms depending on the manufacturer. We prefer the propane buffers out of the three we mentioned.
Propane buffers have the same rpms as the electric buffers, but with much more pad pressure. Propane buffers have between 120 pounds and 140 pounds of pad pressure, compared to the 25 pounds to 35 pounds of pad pressure delivered by an electric buffer. This translates into a nice shine that will typically last longer than the electric. It also eliminates the need to keep going over the floor each buff because the pressure is not great enough to provide a good shine on the first pass. Battery operated buffers are less common than the propane buffers. They deliver the same pad pressure as the propane and have a system to collect the loose dust that accumulates during a high speed buff. However, due to the large size of the battery operated buffers, it makes it impractical on small or mid size floors.
Scrub and recoat is a term that refers to using a light rinse on the waxed vct floor with a low speed machine. The floor is not stripped, but just the first coat or two of wax is removed. Then, wax is applied to renew the shine of the vct floor. A scrub and recoat is a good interim method to be used between stripping and waxing.
How often should a floor be stripped and waxed? There is no absolute answer to this question, because each floor is different. A good rule of thumb is to strip and wax at least once a year. Some floors may need to be stripped and waxed twice a year or more. High speed buffing should be done at least once a month. If a vct floor has high foot traffic, it can be buffed once a week to maintain a good appearance. Scrub and recoats can be done at the half way mark between strip and waxes.
Even a brand new vct floor should be stripped and waxed. New vct comes from the manufacturer with a factory sealer, but usually cannot stand up to high traffic.
The most important step of any vct floor is sweeping and mopping. VCT floors should be swept and mopped daily to prevent dirt from scratching and marring the appearance of the floor. Mopping should be done with cold water and a neutral cleaner. If hot water is used on a waxed vct floor, it can cause the wax to come up with the mop and also gives the wax a cloudy appearance. Also, do not use harsh cleaners to mop a vct floor. Bleach or ammonia based products will strip wax off of the vct floor. If you cannot find or run out of neutral cleaner, just use plain cold water. Then, find a suitable neutral cleaner when you resume the maintenance the next day.
To recap the above steps:
1. Sweep and mop your vct floors daily.
2. High speed buff your vct floors at least once a month.
3. Strip and wax your vct floors at least once a year.
4. Scrub and recoats may be done interim of stripping and waxing. (every 6 months)
By following the above steps, or making sure your janitorial provider does, will provide a vct floor with a desirable shine and appearance. It will also increase the life of your vct floors. If properly cared for, vct floors can last for forty years or more.
If you would like to discuss the above blog, or get a no obligation floor bid, please contact us at 903-291-8169. Or, look us up on the web at http://www.allianceofeasttexas.com/. We would be happy to help you in the care and maintenance of your floors.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Practical Guide for Maintaining Your Commercial Carpet
I have been in this line of work for nine years now, and one of the most frequently asked questions is, " Can you make my carpets look better?" There is no universal answer to this question, but we can look at contributing factors that can determine your carpet's longevity.
The most important thing about any carpet is this, vacuum. VACUUM, VACUUM, VACUUM. You cannot vacuum a carpet too much. The major reason for carpet wear and discoloration is a lack of vacuuming. Regular vacuuming will remove 80% of the dirt that is brought in on people's shoes. Vacuumiing also gets out the oils that bond with the dirt and break down the carpet fibers.
How often should the carpet in your office be vacuumed? If you have moderate to heavy traffic, the answer is once a day. Low traffic offices can get by with once or twice a week vacuuming. Daily vacuuming picks up loose dirt that will wear a carpet out. If the dirt is not vacuumed up regularly, the dirt will grind against the fibers, causing the carpet to develop "wear patterns."
The easiest way to explain wear patterns is to think about a child's blue jeans. Some children develop spots at the knees, especially boys. I know this from my own son. No matter how many times they are washed, the spots of discoloration at the knees will still be there. This is exactly the same with carpet. Once a wear pattern develops, there is no way to remove them.
Another way to increase the life of your carpet is to use mats in the outside doorways. Mats will catch some of the dirt and debris before it gets on to your carpet. If your facility is located near dirt roads or an unpaved parking lot, then mats are a must.
Mats and vacuuming will maintain a carpet far better than getting your carpet cleaned once a month. It is the daily wear and tear that breaks down the carpet's fibers.
I have seen carpets that are less than six months old, that already look like they need to be replaced, simply because they were not vacuumed. When "wear patterns" begin to appear, there is really nothing you can do about what is already there. But, you can prevent further damage to your carpet by doing the following:
1. placing a mat over the affected area
2. increase the frequency of vacuuming of the affected area
3. make sure there are mats at each outside entrance
4. if there is a shop or warehouse at your facility, make sure there are adequate mats at these entrances
A good plan for the cleaning and maintenance of your carpets is to have them cleaned by a hot water extractor at least once a year. This will get up the remaining dirt that the vacuum did not get.
Most of all, monitor the results. If you see that the carpets are getting dirty and developing a wear pattern in the walk ways, increase the frequency of the vacuuming. Also, make sure the mats are being vacuumed.
If you would like a free consultation about your commercial carpets, please feel free to contact us. 903-291-8169 or toll free 877-291-8169 or check out our wesite at www.allianceofeasttexas.com. We would be more than happy to assist you.
Our service area includes: Longview and Tyler, Texas and Sheveport, La.
The most important thing about any carpet is this, vacuum. VACUUM, VACUUM, VACUUM. You cannot vacuum a carpet too much. The major reason for carpet wear and discoloration is a lack of vacuuming. Regular vacuuming will remove 80% of the dirt that is brought in on people's shoes. Vacuumiing also gets out the oils that bond with the dirt and break down the carpet fibers.
How often should the carpet in your office be vacuumed? If you have moderate to heavy traffic, the answer is once a day. Low traffic offices can get by with once or twice a week vacuuming. Daily vacuuming picks up loose dirt that will wear a carpet out. If the dirt is not vacuumed up regularly, the dirt will grind against the fibers, causing the carpet to develop "wear patterns."
The easiest way to explain wear patterns is to think about a child's blue jeans. Some children develop spots at the knees, especially boys. I know this from my own son. No matter how many times they are washed, the spots of discoloration at the knees will still be there. This is exactly the same with carpet. Once a wear pattern develops, there is no way to remove them.
Another way to increase the life of your carpet is to use mats in the outside doorways. Mats will catch some of the dirt and debris before it gets on to your carpet. If your facility is located near dirt roads or an unpaved parking lot, then mats are a must.
Mats and vacuuming will maintain a carpet far better than getting your carpet cleaned once a month. It is the daily wear and tear that breaks down the carpet's fibers.
I have seen carpets that are less than six months old, that already look like they need to be replaced, simply because they were not vacuumed. When "wear patterns" begin to appear, there is really nothing you can do about what is already there. But, you can prevent further damage to your carpet by doing the following:
1. placing a mat over the affected area
2. increase the frequency of vacuuming of the affected area
3. make sure there are mats at each outside entrance
4. if there is a shop or warehouse at your facility, make sure there are adequate mats at these entrances
A good plan for the cleaning and maintenance of your carpets is to have them cleaned by a hot water extractor at least once a year. This will get up the remaining dirt that the vacuum did not get.
Most of all, monitor the results. If you see that the carpets are getting dirty and developing a wear pattern in the walk ways, increase the frequency of the vacuuming. Also, make sure the mats are being vacuumed.
If you would like a free consultation about your commercial carpets, please feel free to contact us. 903-291-8169 or toll free 877-291-8169 or check out our wesite at www.allianceofeasttexas.com. We would be more than happy to assist you.
Our service area includes: Longview and Tyler, Texas and Sheveport, La.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Bonded and Insured: What Does It Mean?
You have heard it asked many times before. Maybe you have even asked it yourself, but what does bonded and insured really mean? Why do you need to ask vendors about this? Is this really important?
First, I will explain what each means. Then, I will go into detail about what is important with these terms.
There are only three types of bonds available. The first is a bail bond. This only applies to people who are trying to get out of jail, therefore it is not applicable to hiring a vendor. The second is an employee dishonesty bond, or a surety bond as they are also called. The third is a performance bond. These are frequently used by contractors to guarantee their services.
I will skip discussing the bail bond because it is not pertinent to our blog.
An employee dishonesty bond, or a surety bond is issued by an underwriter to guard against theft. These are issued in various amounts. The most common is $5,000. I will use an example of how this would work. Let's say you hire a contractor to work on your home. In the process of their working on your home, you notice that some of your jewelry is missing. You contact the police and the bonding company. After an investigation, it is determined that the contractor took your jewelry. The bonding company will then notify you that they will award the price of the jewelry, or the maximum amount covered by the bond. The bonding company will wait for a conviction of the person who took your jewelry. If the adjuster determines that the value of your jewelry is $6,000 and the surety bond is for $5,000, they will award you $5,000 because that is the maximum covered by the bond. There are conditions to this. The bonding company will only award the amount if the item is not recovered. And, the bonding company will only award after a court conviction takes place.
A performance bond is taken out to guarantee service or work. Again, another example. Let's say you hire a contractor to build your dream home. The price to build your home is $250,000. A surety bond for the project could be issued to you at the cost of the contractor. This would cover you if the contractor tries to leave before the project is complete. Or if the contractor does not fulfill obligations agreed to in the contract. If you go through a bank to get your home built, they will most likely require the bond be issued to them, since they will be a greatest exposure to loss. Performance bonds can be taken out on a variety of things, but are most frequently used in the construction or contracting business.
Speaking as an owner of a janitorial company, there are things more important than a bond. There are many companies that cover theft internally. In other words, they have a policy about theft and cover the losses themselves due to the size of their companies. If theft is concerned, simply ask up front, "What is your policy on employee theft?" You will also want to ask about background checks on personnel. If a company is willing to cover theft internally, you can be sure that they will use a criminal background search that is accurate.
As far as insurance is concerned, the insurance being referred to is called commercial general liability insurance. This insurance will provide coverage for a variety of things. Some of the things covered are: damage to your premise, personal injury, and completed product or operations (workmanship). We will break each of these down for further explanation.
Damages to your premises includes accidents. If you hire a floor service to strip and wax your floors, and they lose control of their equipment and it damages a wall. This would be covered in the commercial general liability insurance. The deductible would be the responsibility of the contractor or vendor. There are a variety of things that can be damaged in your facility. Whether it is paint scrapes, broken glass, or damage to your contents.
Personal injury in this case would include injury to your personnel caused by the vendors personnel. Let's say that the same floor service company injured your personnel when they lost control of their equipment. This is covered by some commercial general liability policies. It is important to look at the amount covered on these separate items.
Completed operations or workmanship is a broad range of items. If the same floor service company did not live up to their promise of stripping and waxing your floor, this would fall under completed workmanship. If damages occurred during this process, this is also covered, same as the damages mentioned above.
To seek compensation for anything that is covered by the commercial general liability insurance, there are several steps that have to be followed. First, the insurance company must be contacted as soon as possible. The insurance company will then send out an adjuster to assess the damages. Once a damage figure is established, the insurance company will contact you back about compensating for your damages. If there is any deductible on the policy, it is the responsibility of the contractor to pay for it.
There are several things you should do when interviewing a potential vendor. First, ask for a copy of their insurance. Then, contact the insurance company to make sure the policy is valid and in good standing. You can also ask at this time exactly what is covered. This will be a big help before hiring any vendor.
If a vendor does not have insurance, you are at risk for exposure to loss for anything they damage. Sure you can sue their company if they damage your facility, but if they do not have insurance, what are the odds that they have assets to cover your losses?
In closing, the most important thing to look at is the commercial general liability insurance. If a perspective vendor does not have a commercial general liability insurance policy, avoid them like the plague. If a vendor tells you they have commercial general liability insurance, ask for a copy. Then contact the insurance company listed at the top and check the validity of this policy. Also, ask about coverage amounts.
I hope this helps clear up any confusion about these matters. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We can be reached at (903) 291-8169 or www.allianceofeasttexas.com. We would be happy to help in any way we can.
First, I will explain what each means. Then, I will go into detail about what is important with these terms.
There are only three types of bonds available. The first is a bail bond. This only applies to people who are trying to get out of jail, therefore it is not applicable to hiring a vendor. The second is an employee dishonesty bond, or a surety bond as they are also called. The third is a performance bond. These are frequently used by contractors to guarantee their services.
I will skip discussing the bail bond because it is not pertinent to our blog.
An employee dishonesty bond, or a surety bond is issued by an underwriter to guard against theft. These are issued in various amounts. The most common is $5,000. I will use an example of how this would work. Let's say you hire a contractor to work on your home. In the process of their working on your home, you notice that some of your jewelry is missing. You contact the police and the bonding company. After an investigation, it is determined that the contractor took your jewelry. The bonding company will then notify you that they will award the price of the jewelry, or the maximum amount covered by the bond. The bonding company will wait for a conviction of the person who took your jewelry. If the adjuster determines that the value of your jewelry is $6,000 and the surety bond is for $5,000, they will award you $5,000 because that is the maximum covered by the bond. There are conditions to this. The bonding company will only award the amount if the item is not recovered. And, the bonding company will only award after a court conviction takes place.
A performance bond is taken out to guarantee service or work. Again, another example. Let's say you hire a contractor to build your dream home. The price to build your home is $250,000. A surety bond for the project could be issued to you at the cost of the contractor. This would cover you if the contractor tries to leave before the project is complete. Or if the contractor does not fulfill obligations agreed to in the contract. If you go through a bank to get your home built, they will most likely require the bond be issued to them, since they will be a greatest exposure to loss. Performance bonds can be taken out on a variety of things, but are most frequently used in the construction or contracting business.
Speaking as an owner of a janitorial company, there are things more important than a bond. There are many companies that cover theft internally. In other words, they have a policy about theft and cover the losses themselves due to the size of their companies. If theft is concerned, simply ask up front, "What is your policy on employee theft?" You will also want to ask about background checks on personnel. If a company is willing to cover theft internally, you can be sure that they will use a criminal background search that is accurate.
As far as insurance is concerned, the insurance being referred to is called commercial general liability insurance. This insurance will provide coverage for a variety of things. Some of the things covered are: damage to your premise, personal injury, and completed product or operations (workmanship). We will break each of these down for further explanation.
Damages to your premises includes accidents. If you hire a floor service to strip and wax your floors, and they lose control of their equipment and it damages a wall. This would be covered in the commercial general liability insurance. The deductible would be the responsibility of the contractor or vendor. There are a variety of things that can be damaged in your facility. Whether it is paint scrapes, broken glass, or damage to your contents.
Personal injury in this case would include injury to your personnel caused by the vendors personnel. Let's say that the same floor service company injured your personnel when they lost control of their equipment. This is covered by some commercial general liability policies. It is important to look at the amount covered on these separate items.
Completed operations or workmanship is a broad range of items. If the same floor service company did not live up to their promise of stripping and waxing your floor, this would fall under completed workmanship. If damages occurred during this process, this is also covered, same as the damages mentioned above.
To seek compensation for anything that is covered by the commercial general liability insurance, there are several steps that have to be followed. First, the insurance company must be contacted as soon as possible. The insurance company will then send out an adjuster to assess the damages. Once a damage figure is established, the insurance company will contact you back about compensating for your damages. If there is any deductible on the policy, it is the responsibility of the contractor to pay for it.
There are several things you should do when interviewing a potential vendor. First, ask for a copy of their insurance. Then, contact the insurance company to make sure the policy is valid and in good standing. You can also ask at this time exactly what is covered. This will be a big help before hiring any vendor.
If a vendor does not have insurance, you are at risk for exposure to loss for anything they damage. Sure you can sue their company if they damage your facility, but if they do not have insurance, what are the odds that they have assets to cover your losses?
In closing, the most important thing to look at is the commercial general liability insurance. If a perspective vendor does not have a commercial general liability insurance policy, avoid them like the plague. If a vendor tells you they have commercial general liability insurance, ask for a copy. Then contact the insurance company listed at the top and check the validity of this policy. Also, ask about coverage amounts.
I hope this helps clear up any confusion about these matters. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We can be reached at (903) 291-8169 or www.allianceofeasttexas.com. We would be happy to help in any way we can.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
What To Expect During a Janitorial Proposal
You have decided that maybe it is time to see what else is out there in the way of janitorial services. Maybe you are unhappy with your current service. Or you are a brand new company that is looking for your first janitorial service. Whether it is office cleaning, restroom service, or floor care and maintenance, you will need to go out for bids or proposals.
No matter your circumstances, there are certain things that you should be looking for when you go out for bids. Through client surveys, we have listed the most common items.
1. Are they insured?
The insurance we are talking about is commercial general liability insurance. Any company proposing a bid for services at your facility should provide you with a copy of their cgl binder. This will have the amounts of coverage as well as the insurance agency that sold the policy and the company underwriting the policy. All of this can be easily verified with a single phone call to the agency listed on the binder.
CGL insurance covers any damage that occurs to your facility or personnel. Whether it is a workmanship issue or deliberate damage done by the vendor's personnel. You don't want to let anyone do work at your facility without this coverage. If damages occur, and the vendor does not have the appropriate insurance, you are very likely to have no way to recoup your losses. Sure, you can sue the vendor, but chances are if they do not have coverage, then they will not have assets to claim to cover your losses.
2. References
Any established, reputable company will be able to provide you with local references. Since this may be the first time you have heard of a vendor, the only way you have to check their local reputation is through their references.
If the company proposing a bid gives you out of state references, then what good will they be to you? Does it really matter to you that this company's clients in another state are happy with them? You will be dealing with the local company. If a vendor does not have local references, or their references give bad reviews, you definitely do not want to use that company.
3. What type of training do they give their personnel?
Anyone and everyone thinks they know how to clean, but will it be up to your standards? Are there written or online programs that deal with general cleaning procedures, heavy lifting, hazardous materials, and bloodborne pathogens? An established, reputable company will have procedures in place for any situation.
4. How are customer service issues resolved?
Unfortunately, most companies do not adhere to the standard we set at Alliance Maintenance. We have 24 hour resolution to cleaning issues. We also provide 24 hour availibility if you have a problem or concern. Our phones are answered by company personnel not an answering service. All contact information is provided in the packet.
5. Quality of Presentation
Does the bid look professional? We all like to put our best foot forward, but what if you receive a bid that is handwritten? Do you really want to trust this service? Proposals should be typed on company letterhead. A single page bid, simply handed over or faxed in does not show seriousness about their service or their consideration of your company and time. A professional proposal should stand out with quality and content.
6. Price, Scope, and Frequency
Price is the first thing everyone is concerned with. Is the price easy to find? Is there an explanation of what will be provided for the price? This is called the scope.
The scope of the bid will break down each service provided. Also, services that costs extra should be explained upfront, both in the proposal and by the representative. Nobody likes "gray" areas. Once the proposal is received, you should get an immediate feel that it is a good proposal. If you feel that time and effort were lacking in the bid, it would probably be best to exclude it.
In closing, going out for bids does not have to be a hassle. You should have a feel for what reputable companies provide and how to spot non-reputable ones. By looking over the above mentioned items with any vendor or proposal, you should be able to weed out the bad vendors. This will save you many headaches and heartaches down the road.
If you would like to receive a free, no obligation bid for your facility, please contact us at http://www.allianceofeasttexas.com/ or call us at 903-291-8169. We would be honored to provide a proposal for your company.
No matter your circumstances, there are certain things that you should be looking for when you go out for bids. Through client surveys, we have listed the most common items.
1. Are they insured?
The insurance we are talking about is commercial general liability insurance. Any company proposing a bid for services at your facility should provide you with a copy of their cgl binder. This will have the amounts of coverage as well as the insurance agency that sold the policy and the company underwriting the policy. All of this can be easily verified with a single phone call to the agency listed on the binder.
CGL insurance covers any damage that occurs to your facility or personnel. Whether it is a workmanship issue or deliberate damage done by the vendor's personnel. You don't want to let anyone do work at your facility without this coverage. If damages occur, and the vendor does not have the appropriate insurance, you are very likely to have no way to recoup your losses. Sure, you can sue the vendor, but chances are if they do not have coverage, then they will not have assets to claim to cover your losses.
2. References
Any established, reputable company will be able to provide you with local references. Since this may be the first time you have heard of a vendor, the only way you have to check their local reputation is through their references.
If the company proposing a bid gives you out of state references, then what good will they be to you? Does it really matter to you that this company's clients in another state are happy with them? You will be dealing with the local company. If a vendor does not have local references, or their references give bad reviews, you definitely do not want to use that company.
3. What type of training do they give their personnel?
Anyone and everyone thinks they know how to clean, but will it be up to your standards? Are there written or online programs that deal with general cleaning procedures, heavy lifting, hazardous materials, and bloodborne pathogens? An established, reputable company will have procedures in place for any situation.
4. How are customer service issues resolved?
Unfortunately, most companies do not adhere to the standard we set at Alliance Maintenance. We have 24 hour resolution to cleaning issues. We also provide 24 hour availibility if you have a problem or concern. Our phones are answered by company personnel not an answering service. All contact information is provided in the packet.
5. Quality of Presentation
Does the bid look professional? We all like to put our best foot forward, but what if you receive a bid that is handwritten? Do you really want to trust this service? Proposals should be typed on company letterhead. A single page bid, simply handed over or faxed in does not show seriousness about their service or their consideration of your company and time. A professional proposal should stand out with quality and content.
6. Price, Scope, and Frequency
Price is the first thing everyone is concerned with. Is the price easy to find? Is there an explanation of what will be provided for the price? This is called the scope.
The scope of the bid will break down each service provided. Also, services that costs extra should be explained upfront, both in the proposal and by the representative. Nobody likes "gray" areas. Once the proposal is received, you should get an immediate feel that it is a good proposal. If you feel that time and effort were lacking in the bid, it would probably be best to exclude it.
In closing, going out for bids does not have to be a hassle. You should have a feel for what reputable companies provide and how to spot non-reputable ones. By looking over the above mentioned items with any vendor or proposal, you should be able to weed out the bad vendors. This will save you many headaches and heartaches down the road.
If you would like to receive a free, no obligation bid for your facility, please contact us at http://www.allianceofeasttexas.com/ or call us at 903-291-8169. We would be honored to provide a proposal for your company.
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