Switching or appointing a commercial cleaning partner in London is one of those decisions that looks simple on paper and gets expensive if you get it wrong. This checklist is what we'd want you to ask us (and every competitor) before signing.
1. Insurance & compliance
Ask for evidence of Public Liability (minimum £5m, ideally £10m for landlord access), Employer's Liability (legally required), COSHH assessments for every chemical, and RAMS for any high-level or access-restricted work. If they can't produce this in one email, walk away.
2. Standards & audit process
A serious contractor works to BICSc-aligned outcomes and provides monthly scored quality audits — not vague task lists. Ask to see a sample audit report before signing.
3. Local presence in London
London-based teams respond faster, avoid congestion charge markups, and can send cover the same day if a cleaner is off. Ask where their nearest depot is.
4. One point of contact
You want a named account manager, not a call centre. Test the response time before you sign: send an out-of-hours query and see how quickly they reply.
5. Realistic pricing
The cheapest quote almost always cuts hours or pays below London Living Wage — which means high staff turnover and inconsistent quality. Get 3 quotes and interrogate the lowest one.
6. TUPE handling
If you're switching contractor mid-lease, existing staff transfer under TUPE 2006. A professional partner will handle this properly and consult with the outgoing team.
7. Ability to bundle services
One supplier covering interior + windows + gutters + pigeon proofing is easier to manage than 4 separate contracts — and usually cheaper overall.