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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Cleaner in Phoenix

Since the emergence of Coronavirus, there has been a widespread infection across the country, including Phoenix. This is why when you hire a professional and qualified cleaning contractor for their cleaning services, you must make sure they duly follow all published CDC standards to reduce the spread of the disease.

Asking the questions provided in this article can help you make the right decision when searching for cleaning contractors that will be best suited to your specific cleaning needs in Phoenix:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Cleaning Service in Phoenix?

Before hiring a cleaning contractor in Phoenix, you must ensure you comply with all relevant state and city regulatory requirements. Cleaning contractors in Phoenix do not require any specific professional licenses to carry out work. Nonetheless, cleaning contractors must make sure they meet all business registration requirements. Except for cleaning businesses carrying on as a trading name, all other business entity types must be registered with the State of Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC).

Once all registration requirements are duly followed, ACC issues approval letters to the applicants with all necessary additional instruction to be carried out. Note that businesses planning to use a trading name must register with the Arizona Secretary of State. It is advisable for businesses to consult with a legal practitioner to help determine the most suitable business entity to register.

Applicants can find lawyers near them via the lawyer referral service provided by the Maricopa County Bar Association. For more information regarding the registration process of business entities and trade names, you can contact the Arizona Corporate Commissions and the Arizona Secretary of State at (602) 542-3026 and (602) 542-6187, respectively. You can also contact these numbers to determine if your intended cleaning contractor is eligible to offer cleaning services.

In addition to registering with ACC, the applicants may need to also complete a transaction privilege tax application with the Arizona Department of Revenue and the Arizona Commerce Authority Small Business Services. Lastly, the applicants need to check with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) to obtain an Employer Identification Number or Tax Identification Number. For advice and more information regarding the transaction privilege tax, applicants can contact ADOR and the Arizona Commerce Authority Small Business Services at (602) 255-3381 and (602) 845-1200, respectively.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Cleaning Services in Phoenix?

Cleaning contractors in Phoenix charge an average of $15 per hour when carrying out building cleaning and maintenance services in the city. How much these cleaning contractors charge for cleaning services is usually influenced by several factors, which include

  • The nature and scope of the cleaning job, whether it involves a residential or commercial area.
  • The size of the home, facility, or specific area that needs cleaning
  • The current condition of your home or facility
  • The urgency of the required cleaning service
  • The type and cost of cleaning supplies that will be necessary to execute the cleaning job properly
  • The locality in Phoenix,

Also the experience of the cleaning contractor also influences the cost of cleaning services. As such, before finalizing a hiring contract with your intended cleaning contractor, it is best to get bids and estimates from at least three cleaning contractors near you. This helps you get a fair estimate and also helps you eliminate any cleaning contractor trying to overcharge you above the average rate charged in your locality.

Cleaning contractors in Phoenix earn an average wage of $31,740 annually. The table below provides a comparison of the average hourly wages of workers in Phoenix's building and grounds cleaning and maintenance industry against those of workers in the rest of Arizona and five other major cities in the country is provided below:

Phoenix Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$15.26
Arizona Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$15.19
Los Angeles Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$18.32
Chicago Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$16.44
Houston Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$13.53
New York City Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$19.09
Washington D.C. Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$17.29
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Type of Cleaning Cleaning Services Do You Offer?

Cleaning contractors offer residents different cleaning services ranging from deep cleaning/spring cleaning, sanitization services, upholstery cleaning, janitorial services, and regular room or whole apartment cleanings. Before hiring cleaning contractors in Phoenix to carry out any cleaning services in your home or facility, it is better to find out the type of cleaning services they offer and whether it is in line with your cleaning needs. Also, you should confirm the type of cleaning product that will be used to carry out an effective cleaning service and to confirm the product does not contain an allergen that may put residents at any health risk.

You should also request references from past clients to inquire about their cleaning services and how professional they are. Lastly, know how much the cleaning contractor's services would cost you. Some common Phoenix cleaning services cost estimates are provided below:

Maid services (per person)
$25 - $46
Maid services (per visit to a typical single-family home)
$99 - $132
Upholstery and furniture cleaning
$65 - $69
Janitorial services (per hour)
$19 - $28
Medical office & healthcare facility cleaning services (per hour)
$27 - $56
Industrial cleaning services (per man hour)
$52 - $93
Graffiti removal & protection (per square foot)
$1.48 - $2.49
Commercial carpet cleaning (per square)
$0.12 - $0.21
Professional carpet cleaning
$38 - $47

Do You Comply with Phoenix's COVID-19 Regulations?

According to data released by the Maricopa Department of Public Health, 40% of the county's residents, including residents of Phoenix, have taken the 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, 38% have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Nonetheless, as of January 05, 2022, researchers have reported a 90% increase in infection rate mainly attributed to the COVID-19 omicron variant, with an average of 7,000 new cases being reported all over the State of Arizona. To ensure you do not compromise your household's health and safety, hiring only a cleaning contractor who understands and complies with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) COVID-19 Guidance when carrying out their duties is best.

The guidance stipulates the requirements for preventing COVID-19 transmissions, like proper hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection practices, to be followed by all business owners in Phoenix, including cleaning companies. You can get more information on coronavirus-related regulations and guidance in Phoenix by contacting the Maricopa Department of Public Health via email or by visiting the physical location at:

4041 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 506-6900
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Do You Provide Commercial Cleaning Services for Non-Residential Locations in Phoenix?

Unlike residential cleaning contractors handling domestic dwellings, commercial cleaning contractors specialize in cleaning and disinfecting commercial spaces like office complexes, medical facilities, construction sites, and other industrial facilities. Phoenix has no profession-specific license requirement for cleaning contractors carrying out commercial cleaning services in the city. Nevertheless, businesses involved in the removal and disposal of solid waste like chemical waste, refuse containers, biohazardous medical waste, and construction debris in Phoenix are required to obtain an operating permit from the Solid Waste Program of the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department.

If you hire a commercial cleaning contractor to clear and clean up waste, you must ensure that they have obtained the required operating permit. Note that non-compliance with the requirement attracts certain city-imposed civil and criminal penalties. You can direct your queries regarding the operating permit for solid waste disposal in Phoenix to the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department at (602) 506-6616.

Do You Engage Unionized Cleaners for Non-Residential Buildings in Phoenix?

It may be better to hire union cleaning services instead of non-unionized cleaning services for your proposed project. This is because hiring a union member for their cleaning services, especially in commercial buildings, is considered favorable, fairer wages and working hours than hiring cleaning contractors who do not belong to a union. Besides good wages, hiring from a union also gives you access to cleaners with proper on-the-job training and an insured cleaner.

Considering this, when hiring a cleaning company to clean your commercial building in Phoenix, you should find out if the company belongs to any union cleaning service like the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which has over 2 million members across the country. Also, investigate if your intended union cleaning services have no ongoing protest or strike that may disrupt your business flow of work.

 

Do You Offer COVID-19 Disinfecting Services in Phoenix?

When there is a confirmed case of a COVID-19 infection within a household, it is necessary that you take all precautionary steps, including carrying out proper cleaning and disinfection of the home to prevent further spread. Several cleaning contractors provide COVID-19-related cleaning and disinfecting services. Nonetheless, when you are looking to hire a contractor for their cleaning services, you must ensure the services will be carried out in compliance with the Center for Disease Control Guidance requirements. These requirements usually include:

  • Wear a mask and gloves while cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Use of PPE needed for the cleaning and disinfection products.
  • Use disinfectant products from EPA List N. Also, products must be used according to the instructions on the product label.
  • Open doors and windows and use fans or HVAC to increase air circulation in the area.
  • Focus on the immediate areas occupied by the sick person or diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Use of a vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air filter and bags. They must ensure all HVAC systems are turned off to avoid contamination of HVAC units.
  • Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfectant products, including storing such products securely.

Due to the risk involved when handling COVID-19 and to avoid the further negligent spread of the virus, it is always good to confirm your intended cleaning contractor is familiar with this guidance. Not only that, the cleaning contractor must know how to apply this guidance when cleaning and disinfecting a facility or a home. Note that not all disinfecting products can work well with COVID-19. As such, you should make sure that the list of disinfectants to be used is in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency List N as required under the guidance. Also, you need to inform your intended cleaning contractor of the kind of cleaning services you wish to retain them for to make sure they can offer such cleaning services.

What Cleaning Supplies Do You Use?

The cleaning supplies to be used by a cleaning contractor depend on the cleaning services required. The cleaning supplies must be appropriately chosen and properly used to achieve an effective result. For instance, cleaning supplies in a healthcare facility must be easy to use, odorless, non-toxic, and soluble. Meanwhile, cleaning supplies used in industrial or commercial facilities must be acid-based for effective cleaning. In Phoenix, you can typically find four types of cleaning agents that are commonly used:

  • Abrasives
  • Acids
  • Degreasers
  • Detergents

Cleaning contractors must know the use of the cleaning supplies mentioned above. For instance, acids are the most potent cleaning supply and must be handled with care because they are corrosive and poisonous. This is why they are used to descale surfaces and remove rust and mineral deposits. Likewise, abrasives are used to scratch off the dirt from hard surfaces, degreasers are solvents used to remove grease from different surfaces, and detergents are used to wash dirt and can be easily found in residential and commercial facilities.

 

In addition to cleaning, it is also advisable to sanitize to reduce the chances of cross-contamination. The following are some of the common types of sanitizers you can purchase in Phoenix for this purpose:

  • Quaternary Ammonia (QAT, QAC): slow-acting but more effective and expensive than chlorine.
  • Chlorine/Bleach: effective against bacteria and less expensive.
  • Iodine: fast-acting and effective against all bacteria.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Cleaners in Phoenix?

There is always the possibility of your intended cleaning contractor getting injured due to exposure to chemical materials. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, an estimated 307 fatal injuries and 64,790 nonfatal injuries were recorded amongst building cleaning and maintenance workers across the United States.

When hiring a cleaning contractor for your proposed cleaning project, you should always ensure they carry a general liability insurance policy. However, Phoenix does not mandate general liability insurance for cleaning contractors. Nonetheless, hiring only an insured cleaning company is important to protect against any financial hardship due to work-related accidents that cause bodily injury or property damage. As such, before finalizing your work contract with your intended cleaning contractor, make sure you request a copy of their insurance certificate and take further steps to verify the certificate is active with the relevant issuing insurance provider.

According to state requirements, all businesses with at least one employee in Phoenix must carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. The worker's compensation pays the benefits of any employee working with your cleaning contractor where there is an unexpected event. You can direct inquiries regarding the city's worker's compensation to the Industrial Commission of Arizona at (602) 542-4661.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Cleaner in Phoenix

In March 2018, the Attorney General's Office got a consent judgment against Adobe Carpet Cleaning for violating the state's consumer protection law. Adobe Carpet Cleaning was banned from making telemarketing calls and had to pay the state $1,000,000 in civil penalties for this violation. When looking for a cleaning contractor in Phoenix, you must take precautionary steps to avoid falling victim to home improvement-related scams by deceptive cleaning contractors or businesses. This is why you should be wary of any cleaning contractor who exhibits any of the following:

  • Door-to-door solicitation in search of work.
  • Offers a lower price by using leftover material from a previous customer. This could mean the last customer was overcharged or the contractor abandoned the previous project.
  • Uses high-pressure tactics to prevent you from carrying out your due diligence.
  • Demands upfront payment or offers to arrange financing through a lender they introduce to you.

According to a report published in 2019 by the Arizona Attorney General's Office, over 14,000 written consumer complaints and nearly 40,000 phone calls from consumers were processed regarding consumer protection law violations. These complaints included home repairs and home improvement fraud carried out by fraudulent individuals who take up work and leave it midway or leave the resident's home with more extensive damage. Although the Attorney General's Office has recovered more than $94 million in restitution for consumers over five years, restitution can not always be guaranteed.

This is why you must take the following necessary steps before hiring your intended cleaning contractor so that you do not fall victim to home improvement scams. These steps include:

  • Request for references from previous clients. It is recommended that you ask these past customers detailed questions like the professionalism of the cleaning contractor and the quality of work carried out, also if there were unexpected costs charged during the currency of their projects.
  • Require bids and estimates in writing. Make sure you compare bids from multiple contractors before finalizing and signing the work contract.
  • Request for copies of the cleaning contractors' business registration certificate. You can contact the Arizona Corporate Commissions and the Arizona Secretary of State at (602) 542-3026 and (602) 542-6187, respectively, to confirm the certificates. You can also check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to check the contractor's ratings and complaints against them, if any.
  • Execute a written contract before making any payment commitment. The contract should state the cleaning contractor's obligations, including the project scope, materials to be used and costs, and the expected completion date.
  • Always read the fine print of the contract and any other work documents before signing it.
  • Avoid paying upfront and ensure it is not more than 10% of the cost if you have to pay upfront.
  • Always verify the work carried out has been done to your satisfaction before making the final payment to the cleaning contractor.
  • Ensure that the cleaning contractor has properly vetted all employees who will be personally involved in the job.
  • Keep records of all documents executed during the contract. These include receipts, invoices, warranties, contracts, and other documents that can be used to prove your work relationship with the cleaning contractor.

You can file complaints against deceptive or fraudulent cleaning contractor businesses in Phoenix with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. You can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office by completing an online complaint form, or you can complete and submit a printable complaint form via email or send it via mail to:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Information and Complaints
2005 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004

The Attorney General's Office cannot guarantee restitution. As such, if you are unsatisfied with the outcome of the office, you can file a legal action against the cleaning contractor or business at the Maricopa County Justice Courts. Consult with a qualified lawyer to advise you on all available legal options. You can use the lawyer referral service of the Maricopa County Bar Association to find a Phoenix lawyer near you.