How Cleaning Services in Des Moines Protect Your Commercial Property Investment

If you own commercial property in Des Moines, you've invested hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in real estate. You maintain the HVAC system, repair the roof when needed, and address structural issues promptly. But there's one aspect of property maintenance many owners overlook until it's too late: professional commercial cleaning services.

Poor cleaning—or worse, deferred cleaning—doesn't just create an unpleasant environment. It accelerates wear on expensive building materials, shortens the lifespan of flooring and fixtures, drives away quality tenants, and ultimately erodes your property's value. The few thousand dollars you might "save" by cutting cleaning corners often costs tens or hundreds of thousands in premature replacement, tenant turnover, and diminished asset value.

At Rodan Cleaning, we've been protecting commercial property investments throughout Des Moines since 1998. Over 25 years, we've seen how proper commercial cleaning services extend building life, maintain property values, and support the financial performance property owners expect from their investments.

Here's everything Des Moines commercial property owners need to know about how professional cleaning protects your investment—including what actually damages buildings, the true cost of deferred maintenance, and why cleaning is asset protection rather than just operational expense.

How Poor Cleaning Damages Commercial Properties

Understanding what happens when cleaning is inadequate or absent reveals why it matters financially.

Flooring: Your Most Visible Capital Investment

Commercial flooring represents $5-20+ per square foot investment. Poor maintenance destroys it prematurely.

Carpet deterioration:

• Embedded dirt acts like sandpaper on fibers
• Ground-in debris cuts carpet backing
• Stains become permanent without prompt treatment
• Typical lifespan: 7-10 years with proper maintenance
• Without professional cleaning: 3-5 years before replacement needed

Cost impact on 10,000 sq ft building:

• Proper maintenance extends life to 10 years
• Poor maintenance forces replacement at 4 years
• Early replacement cost: $75,000-150,000
• Professional carpet cleaning: $2,000-3,000 yearly
• Deferred cleaning costs $50,000+ in premature replacement

Hard floor damage:

• Dirt scratches sealed surfaces
• Grime builds up requiring expensive restoration
• Neglected tile grout stains permanently
• Improper cleaning products damage finishes

HVAC Systems: Hidden Damage from Dirty Buildings

Your HVAC system is a six-figure investment that dirty buildings destroy faster.

How poor cleaning affects HVAC:

• Dust and debris clog filters more quickly
• Contaminated air handlers work harder
• Reduced efficiency increases energy costs
• Shortened equipment lifespan
• More frequent repairs and breakdowns

Financial impact:

• Clean building HVAC lifespan: 15-20 years
• Poorly maintained building: 10-12 years
• Replacement cost: $100,000-500,000+ depending on building size
• Increased energy costs: 15-30% higher
• Poor cleaning can cost $150,000+ in premature HVAC replacement

Walls, Baseboards, and Painted Surfaces

Paint and surface finishes cost thousands to apply and require repainting when neglected.

Damage from poor cleaning:

• Dirt buildup makes surfaces look old faster
• Requires repainting more frequently
• Scuffs and marks become permanent
• Water damage from neglected cleaning issues

Typical commercial building:

• Interior painting: $15,000-50,000+ every 5-7 years
• With poor maintenance: Required every 3-4 years
• Additional cost: $15,000-25,000 per maintenance cycle

Restrooms: Health Hazards and Liability

Neglected restrooms create health risks and legal exposure.

Problems from inadequate cleaning:

• Mold and mildew growth
• Bacteria accumulation
• Fixture deterioration from hard water
• Unpleasant odors affecting entire building
• Potential health code violations

Tenant impact:

• Quality tenants won't renew leases
• Difficulty attracting new tenants
• Negative reviews affecting property reputation
• Reduced rental rates due to condition

Windows and Glass: Curb Appeal Matters

First impressions affect property value and leasing velocity.

Neglected windows:

• Mineral deposits become permanent
• Dirty glass makes building look run-down
• Reduced natural light affects tenant satisfaction
• Lower perceived property value

Impact on property value:Studies show well-maintained properties command 5-15% rent premiums over similar but poorly maintained buildings.

The True Cost of Deferred Cleaning Maintenance

Short-term savings create long-term losses for commercial property owners.

Scenario: 20,000 Sq Ft Office Building

Option A: Professional Commercial Cleaning

Annual investment:

• Nightly janitorial service: $30,000
• Quarterly deep cleaning: $4,000
• Carpet cleaning (2x yearly): $4,000
• Window cleaning (quarterly): $2,400
• Total annual cost: $40,400

10-year total: $404,000

Asset preservation:

• Carpet lasts full 10-year lifespan
• HVAC maintains 15+ year expected life
• Paint cycle remains on 5-7 year schedule
• Building maintains premium rental rates

10-year savings from preservation:

• Avoided premature carpet replacement: $150,000
• Avoided premature HVAC replacement: $200,000
• Reduced painting frequency: $50,000
• Higher occupancy rates: $100,000+
• Total savings: $500,000+

Net benefit: $500,000 - $404,000 = $96,000+ positive over 10 years

Option B: Minimal or Deferred Cleaning

Annual investment:

• Bare minimum cleaning: $15,000
• Emergency cleaning when needed: $5,000
• Total annual cost: $20,000

10-year total: $200,000

Actual costs:

• Carpet replacement (year 4): $150,000
• HVAC replacement (year 10): $200,000
• Frequent painting: $75,000
• Tenant turnover costs: $150,000
• Vacancy periods from condition: $200,000
• Total actual costs: $975,000

Net cost: $975,000 vs $404,000 for proper maintenance

Deferred cleaning costs $571,000 more over 10 years

The Compounding Effect

Poor maintenance creates cascading problems:

1. Dirty building drives away quality tenants
2. Vacancy or lower-quality tenants
3. Reduced rental income
4. Further deferred maintenance
5. Accelerated deterioration
6. Major capital expenditures required
7. Difficulty refinancing or selling
8. Reduced property value

Each stage compounds the previous, turning "savings" into massive losses.

How Professional Cleaning Extends Building Component Life

Strategic cleaning preserves your most expensive assets.

Carpet Life Extension

Professional carpet cleaning dramatically extends flooring investment:

Hot water extraction benefits:

• Removes embedded dirt cutting fibers
• Prevents permanent staining
• Maintains appearance longer
• Extends life 50-100%

Recommended frequency:

• High-traffic areas: Quarterly
• Moderate-traffic: Semi-annually
• Low-traffic: Annually

ROI calculation:

• Investment: $3,000-4,000 yearly
• Savings: $75,000-150,000 avoided replacement
• Return: 2,000-5,000% over carpet life

Hard Floor Maintenance

Proper floor care protects substantial investment:

Regular maintenance program:

• Daily dust mopping and damp mopping
• Weekly machine scrubbing
• Quarterly stripping and waxing
• Annual deep restoration as needed

Financial impact:

• Properly maintained floors: 20+ year lifespan
• Neglected floors: 8-12 years before replacement
• Savings: $50,000-100,000+ avoided replacement

HVAC Efficiency and Longevity

Clean buildings protect HVAC investment:

How proper cleaning helps:

• Reduced dust load on filters
• Cleaner air handlers and coils
• Better system efficiency (10-20% energy savings)
• Extended equipment life (5-8 additional years)

Energy savings alone:$100,000 yearly HVAC cost × 15% efficiency gain = $15,000 yearly savings

Over 20 years: $300,000 in energy savings from clean building

Paint and Surface Preservation

Regular cleaning extends paint life:

Proper cleaning approach:

• Regular dusting prevents buildup
• Prompt spot cleaning prevents permanent marks
• Professional techniques preserve finishes
• Extends paint life 30-50%

Savings:Deferring one paint cycle: $25,000-50,000

Tenant Retention: The Hidden Value of Professional Cleaning

Clean buildings keep quality tenants paying premium rents.

What Quality Tenants Expect

Professional businesses in Des Moines expect:

• Clean, professional common areas
• Well-maintained restrooms
• Spotless lobbies and hallways
• Consistent janitorial service
• Responsive facility management

When expectations aren't met:

• Complaints increase
• Lease renewal unlikely
• Negative reviews posted
• Difficulty attracting replacement tenants

The Cost of Tenant Turnover

Typical turnover costs:

• Lost rent during vacancy: $20,000-100,000+
• Tenant improvement allowances: $10,000-50,000+
• Leasing commissions: 3-6% of lease value
• Marketing and showing costs: $5,000-15,000
• Administrative time and effort

Single tenant departure can cost $50,000-200,000+

Prevention through professional cleaning:Clean, well-maintained buildings experience:

• Higher tenant satisfaction
• Increased lease renewals (80%+ vs 60%)
• Ability to command premium rents
• Positive reputation attracting tenants

Rental Rate Impact

Des Moines commercial properties with professional appearance and maintenance:

• Command 5-10% rent premiums
• Experience lower vacancy rates
• Attract higher-quality tenants
• Maintain value during downturns

20,000 sq ft building at $18/sq ft:

• Base rent: $360,000 yearly
• 7% premium from condition: $25,200 yearly
• Over 10 years: $252,000 additional income
• Professional cleaning pays for itself multiple times over

Asset Value Preservation

Property values depend heavily on condition and income.

How Cleaning Affects Property Valuation

Commercial real estate valuation factors:

1. Net Operating Income (NOI)
2. Cap rate (market dependent)
3. Physical condition
4. Tenant quality and lease terms
5. Market position

Cleaning impacts multiple factors:

NOI impact:

• Higher rents from better condition
• Lower turnover costs
• Reduced deferred maintenance
• Better operating efficiency

Physical condition:

• Well-maintained buildings appraise higher
• Buyers pay premiums for turnkey properties
• Deferred maintenance reduces offers

Tenant quality:

• Quality tenants attracted to clean buildings
• Long-term leases more valuable
• Better tenant mix increases property value

Sale Scenario Comparison

Well-maintained property:

• NOI: $150,000
• Cap rate: 7%
• Value: $2,142,857
• Professional appearance
• Quality tenant roster
• Minimal deferred maintenance

Poorly maintained property:

• NOI: $125,000 (lower rents, higher vacancies)
• Cap rate: 8.5% (risk premium for condition)
• Value: $1,470,588
• Obvious neglect
• Tenant turnover issues
• Significant deferred maintenance

Value difference: $672,269

Deferred cleaning maintenance cost $672,000 in property value

Health and Liability Protection

Clean buildings reduce health risks and legal exposure.

Indoor Air Quality

Poor cleaning affects air quality:

Health impacts:

• Respiratory irritation
• Allergy aggravation
• Sick building syndrome
• Reduced productivity
• Increased absenteeism

Liability exposure:

• Workers' compensation claims
• ADA compliance issues (mold, air quality)
• Tenant lawsuits for uninhabitable conditions
• OSHA violations and fines

Slip and Fall Prevention

Proper cleaning reduces accident liability:

Clean floors mean:

• Fewer slip and fall incidents
• Lower insurance premiums
• Reduced legal exposure
• Better safety record

Single slip and fall lawsuit:Average settlement: $20,000-50,000Severe cases: $100,000-500,000+

Professional cleaning with proper protocols significantly reduces risk

Why Des Moines Property Owners Choose Rodan Cleaning

Protecting commercial property investments requires reliable, professional service.

We Understand Asset Protection

Over 25 years serving Des Moines commercial properties, we've learned:

• Cleaning is asset preservation, not just janitorial service
• Preventive maintenance costs less than replacement
• Consistent service protects property values
• Quality tenants expect professional environments

Audit-Verified Quality

Every property receives monthly quality audits:

• Documented proof of service delivery
• Quality scores tracking performance
• Issues identified and corrected proactively
• Reports property owners can share with investors or lenders

Documentation matters:When selling, refinancing, or reporting to investors, documented maintenance records demonstrate responsible property management.

Experience with All Property Types

We've served Des Moines commercial properties including:

• Office buildings (Class A through Class C)
• Retail centers and shopping complexes
• Medical office buildings and healthcare facilities
• Industrial and flex space
• Multi-tenant mixed-use properties
• Educational facilities

Different property types have different needs—we understand the requirements and deliver accordingly.

Reliable Service Property Owners Count On

Every team member has been with us 2+ years:

• Consistent crews who know your properties
• Professional conduct in tenant-occupied buildings
• Reliable service schedule
• No surprise no-shows or cancellations

Reliability matters to property owners:Tenant complaints about cleaning affect your reputation and lease renewals. Reliable service prevents these problems.

Direct Owner Communication

Property owners get Zach's direct number: (515) 276-1618

• Tenant complaint? Immediate response
• Special requirements? Direct communication
• Service adjustments? One conversation with decision-maker
• Emergency situations? Reach owner directly

No bureaucracy, no delays, no excuses

Family-Owned Since 1998

Rodan Cleaning was founded by Dan Vander Ploeg in 1998 and is now run by his son Zach. We've been protecting Des Moines commercial property investments for over 25 years.

We understand property ownership because we're building a business to pass to the next generation—just like you're building portfolio value for your future or heirs.

Beyond Janitorial: Comprehensive Property Services

We provide complete commercial property cleaning:

• Daily janitorial service: Maintaining consistent baseline
• Deep cleaning programs: Quarterly intensive cleaning
• Carpet cleaning: Asset preservation program
• Floor maintenance: Strip, seal, wax programs
• Window cleaning: Interior and exterior
• Construction cleanup: Tenant improvement and renovation
• Emergency response: Water damage, spills, urgent situations

Single vendor, comprehensive service, consistent quality

Making the Business Case for Professional Cleaning

When presenting to investors, partners, or lenders:

The ROI argument:

• Professional cleaning: $2-4 per sq ft yearly
• Asset preservation value: $10-20+ per sq ft over building life
• Tenant retention value: 5-10% rent premium
• Property value impact: Measurable in hundreds of thousands

Professional cleaning isn't expense—it's one of the highest-return investments property owners make

Ready to Protect Your Des Moines Commercial Property Investment?

If you own commercial property in Des Moines and want professional cleaning services that protect your asset value, extend building life, keep quality tenants satisfied, and deliver measurable ROI, it's time to partner with professionals who understand property investment.

Rodan Cleaning has been protecting Des Moines commercial property values for over 25 years. We understand that cleaning isn't just janitorial service—it's asset protection that directly impacts your property's financial performance.

Schedule your property assessment today.

Call or text Zach directly at (515) 276-1618 or email info@rodancleaning.com

We'll assess your properties, identify opportunities for improvement, and create a cleaning program that protects your investment while delivering measurable returns.

Your commercial property represents significant investment. Let us show you how professional cleaning protects that investment and enhances its value.

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