Commercial cleaning problems: what can go wrong (and how we prevent it)
Commercial work isn’t “just bigger residential.” The most common failures are operational: missed schedules, unclear scope, access issues, and after-hours surprises. Here’s the honest breakdown of what goes wrong with commercial and storefront cleaning and how we keep it predictable.
Problem 1: Wrong counts and unclear scope
The fastest way commercial relationships go sideways is when “what’s included” is fuzzy. Pane counts, entrances, height, interior vs exterior, and which sides of a building matter.
- Cause: verbal scope, rushed walk-throughs, estimates based on guesses.
- Our prevention: documented scope and confirmation before service starts.
Problem 2: After-hours or graveyard surprises
Many locations require early morning, overnight, or specific windows of time. That affects staffing, safety, and cost.
- Cause: scheduling assumptions, “we can do it whenever,” no communication with managers.
- Our prevention: confirm service windows, coordinate access, and show up with a plan.
Problem 3: Height and access issues
Height changes the tools, safety requirements, and time budget. Access issues (locked gates, loading zones, ladders blocked by displays) can turn a simple job into a reset.
- Cause: ignoring height/access, not planning for lifts, no point-of-contact on site.
- Our prevention: confirm access plan and safety needs ahead of time.
Problem 4: Storefront “maintenance drift” (looks fine, then suddenly doesn’t)
Storefront glass is customer-facing. If you wait too long, it takes longer to restore clarity and costs more. Consistency beats “one big clean.”
- Cause: irregular scheduling, skipping high-touch areas (doors/entrances), no plan.
- Our approach: frequency-based service so it stays clean and predictable.
Problem 5: Adhesive, overspray, and “mystery gunk”
Retail glass collects sticker residue, tape, paint overspray, and construction dust. If it’s not identified early, it becomes a time sink and a dispute.
- Cause: assuming glass-only, not calling out specialty removal needs.
- Our prevention: note problem spots during scope confirmation and price it correctly.