A good commercial cleaner is invisible: the space is simply clean every morning. A bad one shows up in complaints, missed garbage, and a messy washroom right before an important meeting. Here's what to check before you hire an office or commercial cleaning company in Ottawa.
1. Proof of insurance and WSIB
This is non-negotiable. Ask for:
- A certificate of insurance (COI) showing commercial general liability coverage, with your company or property manager named as an additional insured if required.
- A WSIB clearance certificate. In Ontario, if you hire a contractor who is required to have WSIB coverage but isn't in good standing, your business can be held responsible for their unpaid premiums. A clearance certificate confirms the contractor is registered and up to date.
A reputable company will provide both before starting, and keep them current.
2. A written scope of work
"General cleaning" means different things to different companies. Ask for a written scope that lists:
- Which rooms and areas are cleaned
- Tasks per visit (e.g. empty garbage, clean washrooms, vacuum) versus periodic tasks (e.g. baseboards, high dusting, floor machine scrubbing)
- Who supplies paper products, soap, and garbage bags
A clear scope protects both sides and makes it easy to check the work.
3. Scheduling that fits your business
Most offices and retail stores prefer cleaning after hours: evenings, overnight, or weekends. Ask:
- Can they clean when you're closed?
- How do they handle keys, alarm codes, and building security?
- What happens if a cleaner is sick? Is there backup coverage?
4. Consistent crew and a single contact
Rotating strangers through your building every week leads to missed details and security concerns. Look for a company that sends a consistent crew and gives you one point of contact who responds quickly when something needs attention.
5. Quality checks
Ask how quality is monitored. Good companies do periodic inspections against the checklist and fix issues quickly without you having to chase them.
6. Flexible contracts
Be wary of long, rigid contracts with steep cancellation penalties. A confident cleaning company offers clear terms, a trial period or reasonable notice period, and a fixed monthly price you can budget around.
7. Bundled property services
Many Ottawa property managers also need storefront window cleaning, spring sidewalk power washing, and grounds maintenance. A company that can handle several of these on one invoice saves time and simplifies vendor management.
Questions to ask on the site walkthrough
- How many hours per visit do you estimate, and why?
- What products do you use in washrooms and kitchens?
- How do you handle special requests or one-off deep cleans?
- Can you provide references from similar Ottawa businesses?
Book a site walkthrough
AV Group provides commercial cleaning in Ottawa for offices, retail stores, plazas, and post-construction projects, with after-hours scheduling and proof of insurance and WSIB provided up front. We can also bundle storefront window cleaning and entrance power washing. We serve businesses across the city, including Nepean and Barrhaven.