1. How long have you been in business, and do you have references from medical or dental practices? Relevant clinical experience matters more than general commercial longevity.
2. Are your employees background-checked? Cleaning crews work in your building, often outside business hours, near patient records areas. Background checks should be non-negotiable.
3. Are you bonded and insured? Ask for a current certificate of insurance including general liability. If something is damaged or an employee is injured on your premises, you need to know you're protected.
4. What cleaning products and equipment do you use? Ask specifically about their disinfectants — EPA List N products with verified dwell times matter in a clinical setting.
5. Who will actually clean my facility? Know whether staff are direct employees or subcontractors, and whether the same crew returns consistently.
6. What happens if I'm not satisfied with a clean? Ask about their complaint resolution process and re-clean policy.
7. Do you provide a written scope of work? Any provider unwilling to put details in writing is a red flag.
8. What are your contract terms and cancellation policy? Understand commitment length, auto-renewal terms, and early-exit costs.
9. Do you have specific experience with medical or dental practices? This is not interchangeable with general office cleaning experience.
10. How do you train and supervise your staff on clinical protocols? Training and supervision systems tell you whether standards hold up over time.