Why Commercial Cleaning Companies Fail (And What Des Moines Businesses Should Look For Instead)
Why Commercial Cleaning Companies Fail (And What Des Moines Businesses Should Look For Instead)
Why Commercial Cleaning Companies Fail (And What Des Moines Businesses Should Look For Instead)
Why Commercial Cleaning Companies Fail (And What Des Moines Businesses Should Look For Instead)
Why Commercial Cleaning Companies Fail (And What Des Moines Businesses Should Look For Instead)
If you're a business owner or facilities manager in Des Moines, you've probably experienced this frustrating cycle: You hire a commercial cleaning company. The first few months are amazing—your office sparkles, the team is responsive, and you feel like you finally found "the one."
Then something shifts.
Standards start slipping. That attention to detail you loved? Gone. The communication that made you feel valued? Radio silence. Before you know it, you're back to square one, searching for yet another cleaning company and wondering if this is just how the industry works.
Here's the truth: It doesn't have to be this way.
The "Excellence Creep" Problem That's Costing Your Business
Most commercial cleaning companies don't fail because they don't know how to clean. They fail because they can't maintain their standards over time.
We call this the "excellence creep"—that slow, inevitable slide from 100% performance down to 90%, then 80%, then... well, you get the picture. It's like watching a relationship deteriorate in slow motion, except this one is costing you money and affecting your business reputation.
Why Does This Happen?
The commercial cleaning industry in Des Moines has a dirty little secret: employee turnover is absolutely brutal.
Most cleaning companies operate on razor-thin margins, which means they can't afford to pay cleaners well or invest in proper training. The result? Cleaners leave within months, taking all their knowledge about your building with them. Each time someone new comes in, they're starting from scratch—learning your layout, your preferences, and your standards.
Except they never really get there, do they? Because by the time they're starting to understand your needs, they're already looking for their next job.
The Hidden Costs You're Already Paying
When your cleaning company's standards slip, the damage goes far beyond dusty baseboards and missed trash cans.
Your reputation takes a hit. That potential client who walked through your office last Tuesday? They noticed the dirty break room. The talented candidate you were trying to recruit? They saw the grimy restroom. First impressions matter, and you only get one shot.
Your team's morale suffers. Employees spend 40+ hours per week in your office. When it's not clean, they feel undervalued. When they have to work around messes, they get distracted. When the shared spaces are gross, they feel embarrassed to bring clients around.
You waste time managing the problem. How many emails have you sent pointing out missed areas? How many phone calls have gone unreturned? How much of your valuable time gets eaten up managing a service that should be running on autopilot?
If you added it all up, the "cheap" cleaning company is probably costing you way more than you think.
What Makes Cleaning Companies Fail: The Real Culprits
After 25+ years serving the Des Moines metro area, we've seen competitors come and go. Here's what separates the companies that last from the ones that flame out:
1. They Treat Employees Like Disposable Labor
When cleaning companies view their staff as interchangeable parts, turnover becomes inevitable. These businesses are constantly hiring, constantly training, and constantly disappointing clients because institutional knowledge walks out the door every few months.
What to look for instead: Ask about employee retention rates. If a company can't tell you how long their average cleaner has been with them, that's a red flag. At Rodan Cleaning, every single one of our cleaners has been with us for over two years—virtually unheard of in this industry.
2. They Have No Quality Control System
Many cleaning companies operate on a "set it and forget it" model. They'll send a crew to your building every week, but nobody is actually checking the quality of the work being done. Standards slip, and nobody notices until the client complains.
What to look for instead: Ask about their quality assurance process. Do they conduct regular inspections? Does someone verify the work is being done to standard? A legitimate company will have an audit-verified cleaning process where they regularly inspect what they expect.
3. You Can't Actually Talk to Anyone When Problems Arise
Here's a scenario that probably sounds familiar: It's Friday afternoon. You just discovered the cleaners missed an entire floor last night, and you have VIP visitors coming Monday morning. You call the cleaning company. You get voicemail. You send an email. No response. You try again Monday. Maybe someone gets back to you by Tuesday.
This is the #1 complaint we hear from businesses switching to Rodan Cleaning.
What to look for instead: Ask who you'll communicate with when issues arise. Will you get the owner's direct contact info? Can you text them? Call them? Email them? If a company can't promise you direct access to decision-makers, they're telling you that your concerns don't matter.
4. They Underprice to Win Your Business
We've all seen it—the quote that seems too good to be true. And you know what? It usually is.
Companies that drastically undercut market rates are making a promise they can't keep. They're either planning to cut corners on quality, pay their workers poverty wages (hello, turnover), or they're going to come back in three months asking for a rate increase because they "underestimated" the scope of work.
What to look for instead: Get multiple quotes and be suspicious of outliers. The sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle—not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. You're looking for fair value delivered consistently over time.
The Rodan Cleaning Difference: Building a Better Model
When Rodan Cleaning started back in 1998, our founder had a radical idea: What if we treated our employees well and actually gave a damn about the quality of our work?
Twenty-seven years later, that "radical" idea is still the foundation of everything we do.
We Treat Our People Like Assets (Because They Are)
Here's something most business owners understand but cleaning companies forget: Your employees ARE your business.
We could have a hundred new accounts tomorrow, but if we don't have great cleaners to service them, we have nothing. That's why we:
- Pay competitive wages that attract and retain quality people
- Only hire through referrals from our existing trusted team
- Invest in comprehensive training through our "Cleaning University" program
- Create an environment where people want to stay
The result? We have a waitlist of qualified cleaners who want to work for us, and our clients benefit from working with the same trusted faces month after month, year after year.
Audit-Verified Cleaning: We Inspect What We Expect
Every company says they deliver quality. We prove it.
Our quality assurance system includes regular audits of our work. We're checking that the promises we made to you are being fulfilled. We're making sure standards aren't slipping. We're catching small issues before they become big problems.
Think of it like this: Most cleaning companies hope their work is good. We verify it.
Direct Access When You Need It
When you work with Rodan Cleaning, you get our email, cell phone, and office number. Not a customer service line. Not a regional manager. The owner.
Why? Because we've been on the other side. We know how frustrating it is to have a problem and feel like you're screaming into the void. When you need something addressed, you deserve to talk to someone who can actually fix it—immediately.
What Des Moines Businesses Should Actually Look For
If you're evaluating commercial cleaning companies in Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, or anywhere in the metro area, here's your checklist:
The Non-Negotiables:
Proven Track Record: How long have they been in business? Can they provide references from long-term clients? Any company can look good for six months. You want someone who's delivered consistently for years.
Employee Retention: Ask directly about turnover rates. How long has their average cleaner been with them? If they dodge the question, you have your answer.
Quality Assurance Process: Don't just take their word that they deliver quality. Ask them to explain their QA system. How do they verify standards are being met?
Communication Structure: Who will you talk to when problems arise? How quickly can you expect responses? Get this in writing.
Training Program: How do they train new employees? Is there a formal program, or is it just "shadow someone for a day and figure it out"?
The Red Flags:
Prices significantly below market rate
Can't provide references from long-term clients
Vague answers about their quality control process
High-pressure sales tactics
Long-term contracts with minimal service guarantees
No direct access to decision-makers
The Bottom Line
Commercial cleaning companies fail because they treat your business like a commodity and their employees like disposable labor. The excellence creep is real, and it's expensive.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
When you work with a company that invests in their people, maintains rigorous quality standards, and actually gives you direct access when issues arise, cleaning becomes one less thing you have to worry about.
Your building should be a reflection of your business—professional, welcoming, and maintained to the highest standards. You deserve a cleaning partner who treats it that way.
Ready for a Cleaning Company That Actually Delivers?
For over 25 years, Rodan Cleaning has been trusted by Des Moines businesses who refuse to settle for "good enough." We're not the cheapest option, but we might be the last cleaning company you ever need to hire.
Schedule your free walkthrough today:
- Call or text: (515) 276-1618
- Email: info@rodancleaning.com
- Visit: rodancleaning.com
We serve the entire Des Moines metro area, including Urbandale, Waukee, and surrounding communities.
If you're a business owner or facilities manager in Des Moines, you've probably experienced this frustrating cycle: You hire a commercial cleaning company. The first few months are amazing—your office sparkles, the team is responsive, and you feel like you finally found "the one."
Then something shifts.
Standards start slipping. That attention to detail you loved? Gone. The communication that made you feel valued? Radio silence. Before you know it, you're back to square one, searching for yet another cleaning company and wondering if this is just how the industry works.
Here's the truth: It doesn't have to be this way.
The "Excellence Creep" Problem That's Costing Your Business
Most commercial cleaning companies don't fail because they don't know how to clean. They fail because they can't maintain their standards over time.
We call this the "excellence creep"—that slow, inevitable slide from 100% performance down to 90%, then 80%, then... well, you get the picture. It's like watching a relationship deteriorate in slow motion, except this one is costing you money and affecting your business reputation.
Why Does This Happen?
The commercial cleaning industry in Des Moines has a dirty little secret: employee turnover is absolutely brutal.
Most cleaning companies operate on razor-thin margins, which means they can't afford to pay cleaners well or invest in proper training. The result? Cleaners leave within months, taking all their knowledge about your building with them. Each time someone new comes in, they're starting from scratch—learning your layout, your preferences, and your standards.
Except they never really get there, do they? Because by the time they're starting to understand your needs, they're already looking for their next job.
The Hidden Costs You're Already Paying
When your cleaning company's standards slip, the damage goes far beyond dusty baseboards and missed trash cans.
Your reputation takes a hit. That potential client who walked through your office last Tuesday? They noticed the dirty break room. The talented candidate you were trying to recruit? They saw the grimy restroom. First impressions matter, and you only get one shot.
Your team's morale suffers. Employees spend 40+ hours per week in your office. When it's not clean, they feel undervalued. When they have to work around messes, they get distracted. When the shared spaces are gross, they feel embarrassed to bring clients around.
You waste time managing the problem. How many emails have you sent pointing out missed areas? How many phone calls have gone unreturned? How much of your valuable time gets eaten up managing a service that should be running on autopilot?
If you added it all up, the "cheap" cleaning company is probably costing you way more than you think.
What Makes Cleaning Companies Fail: The Real Culprits
After 25+ years serving the Des Moines metro area, we've seen competitors come and go. Here's what separates the companies that last from the ones that flame out:
1. They Treat Employees Like Disposable Labor
When cleaning companies view their staff as interchangeable parts, turnover becomes inevitable. These businesses are constantly hiring, constantly training, and constantly disappointing clients because institutional knowledge walks out the door every few months.
What to look for instead: Ask about employee retention rates. If a company can't tell you how long their average cleaner has been with them, that's a red flag. At Rodan Cleaning, every single one of our cleaners has been with us for over two years—virtually unheard of in this industry.
2. They Have No Quality Control System
Many cleaning companies operate on a "set it and forget it" model. They'll send a crew to your building every week, but nobody is actually checking the quality of the work being done. Standards slip, and nobody notices until the client complains.
What to look for instead: Ask about their quality assurance process. Do they conduct regular inspections? Does someone verify the work is being done to standard? A legitimate company will have an audit-verified cleaning process where they regularly inspect what they expect.
3. You Can't Actually Talk to Anyone When Problems Arise
Here's a scenario that probably sounds familiar: It's Friday afternoon. You just discovered the cleaners missed an entire floor last night, and you have VIP visitors coming Monday morning. You call the cleaning company. You get voicemail. You send an email. No response. You try again Monday. Maybe someone gets back to you by Tuesday.
This is the #1 complaint we hear from businesses switching to Rodan Cleaning.
What to look for instead: Ask who you'll communicate with when issues arise. Will you get the owner's direct contact info? Can you text them? Call them? Email them? If a company can't promise you direct access to decision-makers, they're telling you that your concerns don't matter.
4. They Underprice to Win Your Business
We've all seen it—the quote that seems too good to be true. And you know what? It usually is.
Companies that drastically undercut market rates are making a promise they can't keep. They're either planning to cut corners on quality, pay their workers poverty wages (hello, turnover), or they're going to come back in three months asking for a rate increase because they "underestimated" the scope of work.
What to look for instead: Get multiple quotes and be suspicious of outliers. The sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle—not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. You're looking for fair value delivered consistently over time.
The Rodan Cleaning Difference: Building a Better Model
When Rodan Cleaning started back in 1998, our founder had a radical idea: What if we treated our employees well and actually gave a damn about the quality of our work?
Twenty-seven years later, that "radical" idea is still the foundation of everything we do.
We Treat Our People Like Assets (Because They Are)
Here's something most business owners understand but cleaning companies forget: Your employees ARE your business.
We could have a hundred new accounts tomorrow, but if we don't have great cleaners to service them, we have nothing. That's why we:
- Pay competitive wages that attract and retain quality people
- Only hire through referrals from our existing trusted team
- Invest in comprehensive training through our "Cleaning University" program
- Create an environment where people want to stay
The result? We have a waitlist of qualified cleaners who want to work for us, and our clients benefit from working with the same trusted faces month after month, year after year.
Audit-Verified Cleaning: We Inspect What We Expect
Every company says they deliver quality. We prove it.
Our quality assurance system includes regular audits of our work. We're checking that the promises we made to you are being fulfilled. We're making sure standards aren't slipping. We're catching small issues before they become big problems.
Think of it like this: Most cleaning companies hope their work is good. We verify it.
Direct Access When You Need It
When you work with Rodan Cleaning, you get our email, cell phone, and office number. Not a customer service line. Not a regional manager. The owner.
Why? Because we've been on the other side. We know how frustrating it is to have a problem and feel like you're screaming into the void. When you need something addressed, you deserve to talk to someone who can actually fix it—immediately.
What Des Moines Businesses Should Actually Look For
If you're evaluating commercial cleaning companies in Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, or anywhere in the metro area, here's your checklist:
The Non-Negotiables:
Proven Track Record: How long have they been in business? Can they provide references from long-term clients? Any company can look good for six months. You want someone who's delivered consistently for years.
Employee Retention: Ask directly about turnover rates. How long has their average cleaner been with them? If they dodge the question, you have your answer.
Quality Assurance Process: Don't just take their word that they deliver quality. Ask them to explain their QA system. How do they verify standards are being met?
Communication Structure: Who will you talk to when problems arise? How quickly can you expect responses? Get this in writing.
Training Program: How do they train new employees? Is there a formal program, or is it just "shadow someone for a day and figure it out"?
The Red Flags:
Prices significantly below market rate
Can't provide references from long-term clients
Vague answers about their quality control process
High-pressure sales tactics
Long-term contracts with minimal service guarantees
No direct access to decision-makers
The Bottom Line
Commercial cleaning companies fail because they treat your business like a commodity and their employees like disposable labor. The excellence creep is real, and it's expensive.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
When you work with a company that invests in their people, maintains rigorous quality standards, and actually gives you direct access when issues arise, cleaning becomes one less thing you have to worry about.
Your building should be a reflection of your business—professional, welcoming, and maintained to the highest standards. You deserve a cleaning partner who treats it that way.
Ready for a Cleaning Company That Actually Delivers?
For over 25 years, Rodan Cleaning has been trusted by Des Moines businesses who refuse to settle for "good enough." We're not the cheapest option, but we might be the last cleaning company you ever need to hire.
Schedule your free walkthrough today:
- Call or text: (515) 276-1618
- Email: info@rodancleaning.com
- Visit: rodancleaning.com
We serve the entire Des Moines metro area, including Urbandale, Waukee, and surrounding communities.
If you're a business owner or facilities manager in Des Moines, you've probably experienced this frustrating cycle: You hire a commercial cleaning company. The first few months are amazing—your office sparkles, the team is responsive, and you feel like you finally found "the one."
Then something shifts.
Standards start slipping. That attention to detail you loved? Gone. The communication that made you feel valued? Radio silence. Before you know it, you're back to square one, searching for yet another cleaning company and wondering if this is just how the industry works.
Here's the truth: It doesn't have to be this way.
The "Excellence Creep" Problem That's Costing Your Business
Most commercial cleaning companies don't fail because they don't know how to clean. They fail because they can't maintain their standards over time.
We call this the "excellence creep"—that slow, inevitable slide from 100% performance down to 90%, then 80%, then... well, you get the picture. It's like watching a relationship deteriorate in slow motion, except this one is costing you money and affecting your business reputation.
Why Does This Happen?
The commercial cleaning industry in Des Moines has a dirty little secret: employee turnover is absolutely brutal.
Most cleaning companies operate on razor-thin margins, which means they can't afford to pay cleaners well or invest in proper training. The result? Cleaners leave within months, taking all their knowledge about your building with them. Each time someone new comes in, they're starting from scratch—learning your layout, your preferences, and your standards.
Except they never really get there, do they? Because by the time they're starting to understand your needs, they're already looking for their next job.
The Hidden Costs You're Already Paying
When your cleaning company's standards slip, the damage goes far beyond dusty baseboards and missed trash cans.
Your reputation takes a hit. That potential client who walked through your office last Tuesday? They noticed the dirty break room. The talented candidate you were trying to recruit? They saw the grimy restroom. First impressions matter, and you only get one shot.
Your team's morale suffers. Employees spend 40+ hours per week in your office. When it's not clean, they feel undervalued. When they have to work around messes, they get distracted. When the shared spaces are gross, they feel embarrassed to bring clients around.
You waste time managing the problem. How many emails have you sent pointing out missed areas? How many phone calls have gone unreturned? How much of your valuable time gets eaten up managing a service that should be running on autopilot?
If you added it all up, the "cheap" cleaning company is probably costing you way more than you think.
What Makes Cleaning Companies Fail: The Real Culprits
After 25+ years serving the Des Moines metro area, we've seen competitors come and go. Here's what separates the companies that last from the ones that flame out:
1. They Treat Employees Like Disposable Labor
When cleaning companies view their staff as interchangeable parts, turnover becomes inevitable. These businesses are constantly hiring, constantly training, and constantly disappointing clients because institutional knowledge walks out the door every few months.
What to look for instead: Ask about employee retention rates. If a company can't tell you how long their average cleaner has been with them, that's a red flag. At Rodan Cleaning, every single one of our cleaners has been with us for over two years—virtually unheard of in this industry.
2. They Have No Quality Control System
Many cleaning companies operate on a "set it and forget it" model. They'll send a crew to your building every week, but nobody is actually checking the quality of the work being done. Standards slip, and nobody notices until the client complains.
What to look for instead: Ask about their quality assurance process. Do they conduct regular inspections? Does someone verify the work is being done to standard? A legitimate company will have an audit-verified cleaning process where they regularly inspect what they expect.
3. You Can't Actually Talk to Anyone When Problems Arise
Here's a scenario that probably sounds familiar: It's Friday afternoon. You just discovered the cleaners missed an entire floor last night, and you have VIP visitors coming Monday morning. You call the cleaning company. You get voicemail. You send an email. No response. You try again Monday. Maybe someone gets back to you by Tuesday.
This is the #1 complaint we hear from businesses switching to Rodan Cleaning.
What to look for instead: Ask who you'll communicate with when issues arise. Will you get the owner's direct contact info? Can you text them? Call them? Email them? If a company can't promise you direct access to decision-makers, they're telling you that your concerns don't matter.
4. They Underprice to Win Your Business
We've all seen it—the quote that seems too good to be true. And you know what? It usually is.
Companies that drastically undercut market rates are making a promise they can't keep. They're either planning to cut corners on quality, pay their workers poverty wages (hello, turnover), or they're going to come back in three months asking for a rate increase because they "underestimated" the scope of work.
What to look for instead: Get multiple quotes and be suspicious of outliers. The sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle—not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. You're looking for fair value delivered consistently over time.
The Rodan Cleaning Difference: Building a Better Model
When Rodan Cleaning started back in 1998, our founder had a radical idea: What if we treated our employees well and actually gave a damn about the quality of our work?
Twenty-seven years later, that "radical" idea is still the foundation of everything we do.
We Treat Our People Like Assets (Because They Are)
Here's something most business owners understand but cleaning companies forget: Your employees ARE your business.
We could have a hundred new accounts tomorrow, but if we don't have great cleaners to service them, we have nothing. That's why we:
- Pay competitive wages that attract and retain quality people
- Only hire through referrals from our existing trusted team
- Invest in comprehensive training through our "Cleaning University" program
- Create an environment where people want to stay
The result? We have a waitlist of qualified cleaners who want to work for us, and our clients benefit from working with the same trusted faces month after month, year after year.
Audit-Verified Cleaning: We Inspect What We Expect
Every company says they deliver quality. We prove it.
Our quality assurance system includes regular audits of our work. We're checking that the promises we made to you are being fulfilled. We're making sure standards aren't slipping. We're catching small issues before they become big problems.
Think of it like this: Most cleaning companies hope their work is good. We verify it.
Direct Access When You Need It
When you work with Rodan Cleaning, you get our email, cell phone, and office number. Not a customer service line. Not a regional manager. The owner.
Why? Because we've been on the other side. We know how frustrating it is to have a problem and feel like you're screaming into the void. When you need something addressed, you deserve to talk to someone who can actually fix it—immediately.
What Des Moines Businesses Should Actually Look For
If you're evaluating commercial cleaning companies in Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, or anywhere in the metro area, here's your checklist:
The Non-Negotiables:
Proven Track Record: How long have they been in business? Can they provide references from long-term clients? Any company can look good for six months. You want someone who's delivered consistently for years.
Employee Retention: Ask directly about turnover rates. How long has their average cleaner been with them? If they dodge the question, you have your answer.
Quality Assurance Process: Don't just take their word that they deliver quality. Ask them to explain their QA system. How do they verify standards are being met?
Communication Structure: Who will you talk to when problems arise? How quickly can you expect responses? Get this in writing.
Training Program: How do they train new employees? Is there a formal program, or is it just "shadow someone for a day and figure it out"?
The Red Flags:
Prices significantly below market rate
Can't provide references from long-term clients
Vague answers about their quality control process
High-pressure sales tactics
Long-term contracts with minimal service guarantees
No direct access to decision-makers
The Bottom Line
Commercial cleaning companies fail because they treat your business like a commodity and their employees like disposable labor. The excellence creep is real, and it's expensive.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
When you work with a company that invests in their people, maintains rigorous quality standards, and actually gives you direct access when issues arise, cleaning becomes one less thing you have to worry about.
Your building should be a reflection of your business—professional, welcoming, and maintained to the highest standards. You deserve a cleaning partner who treats it that way.
Ready for a Cleaning Company That Actually Delivers?
For over 25 years, Rodan Cleaning has been trusted by Des Moines businesses who refuse to settle for "good enough." We're not the cheapest option, but we might be the last cleaning company you ever need to hire.
Schedule your free walkthrough today:
- Call or text: (515) 276-1618
- Email: info@rodancleaning.com
- Visit: rodancleaning.com
We serve the entire Des Moines metro area, including Urbandale, Waukee, and surrounding communities.
If you're a business owner or facilities manager in Des Moines, you've probably experienced this frustrating cycle: You hire a commercial cleaning company. The first few months are amazing—your office sparkles, the team is responsive, and you feel like you finally found "the one."
Then something shifts.
Standards start slipping. That attention to detail you loved? Gone. The communication that made you feel valued? Radio silence. Before you know it, you're back to square one, searching for yet another cleaning company and wondering if this is just how the industry works.
Here's the truth: It doesn't have to be this way.
The "Excellence Creep" Problem That's Costing Your Business
Most commercial cleaning companies don't fail because they don't know how to clean. They fail because they can't maintain their standards over time.
We call this the "excellence creep"—that slow, inevitable slide from 100% performance down to 90%, then 80%, then... well, you get the picture. It's like watching a relationship deteriorate in slow motion, except this one is costing you money and affecting your business reputation.
Why Does This Happen?
The commercial cleaning industry in Des Moines has a dirty little secret: employee turnover is absolutely brutal.
Most cleaning companies operate on razor-thin margins, which means they can't afford to pay cleaners well or invest in proper training. The result? Cleaners leave within months, taking all their knowledge about your building with them. Each time someone new comes in, they're starting from scratch—learning your layout, your preferences, and your standards.
Except they never really get there, do they? Because by the time they're starting to understand your needs, they're already looking for their next job.
The Hidden Costs You're Already Paying
When your cleaning company's standards slip, the damage goes far beyond dusty baseboards and missed trash cans.
Your reputation takes a hit. That potential client who walked through your office last Tuesday? They noticed the dirty break room. The talented candidate you were trying to recruit? They saw the grimy restroom. First impressions matter, and you only get one shot.
Your team's morale suffers. Employees spend 40+ hours per week in your office. When it's not clean, they feel undervalued. When they have to work around messes, they get distracted. When the shared spaces are gross, they feel embarrassed to bring clients around.
You waste time managing the problem. How many emails have you sent pointing out missed areas? How many phone calls have gone unreturned? How much of your valuable time gets eaten up managing a service that should be running on autopilot?
If you added it all up, the "cheap" cleaning company is probably costing you way more than you think.
What Makes Cleaning Companies Fail: The Real Culprits
After 25+ years serving the Des Moines metro area, we've seen competitors come and go. Here's what separates the companies that last from the ones that flame out:
1. They Treat Employees Like Disposable Labor
When cleaning companies view their staff as interchangeable parts, turnover becomes inevitable. These businesses are constantly hiring, constantly training, and constantly disappointing clients because institutional knowledge walks out the door every few months.
What to look for instead: Ask about employee retention rates. If a company can't tell you how long their average cleaner has been with them, that's a red flag. At Rodan Cleaning, every single one of our cleaners has been with us for over two years—virtually unheard of in this industry.
2. They Have No Quality Control System
Many cleaning companies operate on a "set it and forget it" model. They'll send a crew to your building every week, but nobody is actually checking the quality of the work being done. Standards slip, and nobody notices until the client complains.
What to look for instead: Ask about their quality assurance process. Do they conduct regular inspections? Does someone verify the work is being done to standard? A legitimate company will have an audit-verified cleaning process where they regularly inspect what they expect.
3. You Can't Actually Talk to Anyone When Problems Arise
Here's a scenario that probably sounds familiar: It's Friday afternoon. You just discovered the cleaners missed an entire floor last night, and you have VIP visitors coming Monday morning. You call the cleaning company. You get voicemail. You send an email. No response. You try again Monday. Maybe someone gets back to you by Tuesday.
This is the #1 complaint we hear from businesses switching to Rodan Cleaning.
What to look for instead: Ask who you'll communicate with when issues arise. Will you get the owner's direct contact info? Can you text them? Call them? Email them? If a company can't promise you direct access to decision-makers, they're telling you that your concerns don't matter.
4. They Underprice to Win Your Business
We've all seen it—the quote that seems too good to be true. And you know what? It usually is.
Companies that drastically undercut market rates are making a promise they can't keep. They're either planning to cut corners on quality, pay their workers poverty wages (hello, turnover), or they're going to come back in three months asking for a rate increase because they "underestimated" the scope of work.
What to look for instead: Get multiple quotes and be suspicious of outliers. The sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle—not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. You're looking for fair value delivered consistently over time.
The Rodan Cleaning Difference: Building a Better Model
When Rodan Cleaning started back in 1998, our founder had a radical idea: What if we treated our employees well and actually gave a damn about the quality of our work?
Twenty-seven years later, that "radical" idea is still the foundation of everything we do.
We Treat Our People Like Assets (Because They Are)
Here's something most business owners understand but cleaning companies forget: Your employees ARE your business.
We could have a hundred new accounts tomorrow, but if we don't have great cleaners to service them, we have nothing. That's why we:
- Pay competitive wages that attract and retain quality people
- Only hire through referrals from our existing trusted team
- Invest in comprehensive training through our "Cleaning University" program
- Create an environment where people want to stay
The result? We have a waitlist of qualified cleaners who want to work for us, and our clients benefit from working with the same trusted faces month after month, year after year.
Audit-Verified Cleaning: We Inspect What We Expect
Every company says they deliver quality. We prove it.
Our quality assurance system includes regular audits of our work. We're checking that the promises we made to you are being fulfilled. We're making sure standards aren't slipping. We're catching small issues before they become big problems.
Think of it like this: Most cleaning companies hope their work is good. We verify it.
Direct Access When You Need It
When you work with Rodan Cleaning, you get our email, cell phone, and office number. Not a customer service line. Not a regional manager. The owner.
Why? Because we've been on the other side. We know how frustrating it is to have a problem and feel like you're screaming into the void. When you need something addressed, you deserve to talk to someone who can actually fix it—immediately.
What Des Moines Businesses Should Actually Look For
If you're evaluating commercial cleaning companies in Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, or anywhere in the metro area, here's your checklist:
The Non-Negotiables:
Proven Track Record: How long have they been in business? Can they provide references from long-term clients? Any company can look good for six months. You want someone who's delivered consistently for years.
Employee Retention: Ask directly about turnover rates. How long has their average cleaner been with them? If they dodge the question, you have your answer.
Quality Assurance Process: Don't just take their word that they deliver quality. Ask them to explain their QA system. How do they verify standards are being met?
Communication Structure: Who will you talk to when problems arise? How quickly can you expect responses? Get this in writing.
Training Program: How do they train new employees? Is there a formal program, or is it just "shadow someone for a day and figure it out"?
The Red Flags:
Prices significantly below market rate
Can't provide references from long-term clients
Vague answers about their quality control process
High-pressure sales tactics
Long-term contracts with minimal service guarantees
No direct access to decision-makers
The Bottom Line
Commercial cleaning companies fail because they treat your business like a commodity and their employees like disposable labor. The excellence creep is real, and it's expensive.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
When you work with a company that invests in their people, maintains rigorous quality standards, and actually gives you direct access when issues arise, cleaning becomes one less thing you have to worry about.
Your building should be a reflection of your business—professional, welcoming, and maintained to the highest standards. You deserve a cleaning partner who treats it that way.
Ready for a Cleaning Company That Actually Delivers?
For over 25 years, Rodan Cleaning has been trusted by Des Moines businesses who refuse to settle for "good enough." We're not the cheapest option, but we might be the last cleaning company you ever need to hire.
Schedule your free walkthrough today:
- Call or text: (515) 276-1618
- Email: info@rodancleaning.com
- Visit: rodancleaning.com
We serve the entire Des Moines metro area, including Urbandale, Waukee, and surrounding communities.
If you're a business owner or facilities manager in Des Moines, you've probably experienced this frustrating cycle: You hire a commercial cleaning company. The first few months are amazing—your office sparkles, the team is responsive, and you feel like you finally found "the one."
Then something shifts.
Standards start slipping. That attention to detail you loved? Gone. The communication that made you feel valued? Radio silence. Before you know it, you're back to square one, searching for yet another cleaning company and wondering if this is just how the industry works.
Here's the truth: It doesn't have to be this way.
The "Excellence Creep" Problem That's Costing Your Business
Most commercial cleaning companies don't fail because they don't know how to clean. They fail because they can't maintain their standards over time.
We call this the "excellence creep"—that slow, inevitable slide from 100% performance down to 90%, then 80%, then... well, you get the picture. It's like watching a relationship deteriorate in slow motion, except this one is costing you money and affecting your business reputation.
Why Does This Happen?
The commercial cleaning industry in Des Moines has a dirty little secret: employee turnover is absolutely brutal.
Most cleaning companies operate on razor-thin margins, which means they can't afford to pay cleaners well or invest in proper training. The result? Cleaners leave within months, taking all their knowledge about your building with them. Each time someone new comes in, they're starting from scratch—learning your layout, your preferences, and your standards.
Except they never really get there, do they? Because by the time they're starting to understand your needs, they're already looking for their next job.
The Hidden Costs You're Already Paying
When your cleaning company's standards slip, the damage goes far beyond dusty baseboards and missed trash cans.
Your reputation takes a hit. That potential client who walked through your office last Tuesday? They noticed the dirty break room. The talented candidate you were trying to recruit? They saw the grimy restroom. First impressions matter, and you only get one shot.
Your team's morale suffers. Employees spend 40+ hours per week in your office. When it's not clean, they feel undervalued. When they have to work around messes, they get distracted. When the shared spaces are gross, they feel embarrassed to bring clients around.
You waste time managing the problem. How many emails have you sent pointing out missed areas? How many phone calls have gone unreturned? How much of your valuable time gets eaten up managing a service that should be running on autopilot?
If you added it all up, the "cheap" cleaning company is probably costing you way more than you think.
What Makes Cleaning Companies Fail: The Real Culprits
After 25+ years serving the Des Moines metro area, we've seen competitors come and go. Here's what separates the companies that last from the ones that flame out:
1. They Treat Employees Like Disposable Labor
When cleaning companies view their staff as interchangeable parts, turnover becomes inevitable. These businesses are constantly hiring, constantly training, and constantly disappointing clients because institutional knowledge walks out the door every few months.
What to look for instead: Ask about employee retention rates. If a company can't tell you how long their average cleaner has been with them, that's a red flag. At Rodan Cleaning, every single one of our cleaners has been with us for over two years—virtually unheard of in this industry.
2. They Have No Quality Control System
Many cleaning companies operate on a "set it and forget it" model. They'll send a crew to your building every week, but nobody is actually checking the quality of the work being done. Standards slip, and nobody notices until the client complains.
What to look for instead: Ask about their quality assurance process. Do they conduct regular inspections? Does someone verify the work is being done to standard? A legitimate company will have an audit-verified cleaning process where they regularly inspect what they expect.
3. You Can't Actually Talk to Anyone When Problems Arise
Here's a scenario that probably sounds familiar: It's Friday afternoon. You just discovered the cleaners missed an entire floor last night, and you have VIP visitors coming Monday morning. You call the cleaning company. You get voicemail. You send an email. No response. You try again Monday. Maybe someone gets back to you by Tuesday.
This is the #1 complaint we hear from businesses switching to Rodan Cleaning.
What to look for instead: Ask who you'll communicate with when issues arise. Will you get the owner's direct contact info? Can you text them? Call them? Email them? If a company can't promise you direct access to decision-makers, they're telling you that your concerns don't matter.
4. They Underprice to Win Your Business
We've all seen it—the quote that seems too good to be true. And you know what? It usually is.
Companies that drastically undercut market rates are making a promise they can't keep. They're either planning to cut corners on quality, pay their workers poverty wages (hello, turnover), or they're going to come back in three months asking for a rate increase because they "underestimated" the scope of work.
What to look for instead: Get multiple quotes and be suspicious of outliers. The sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle—not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. You're looking for fair value delivered consistently over time.
The Rodan Cleaning Difference: Building a Better Model
When Rodan Cleaning started back in 1998, our founder had a radical idea: What if we treated our employees well and actually gave a damn about the quality of our work?
Twenty-seven years later, that "radical" idea is still the foundation of everything we do.
We Treat Our People Like Assets (Because They Are)
Here's something most business owners understand but cleaning companies forget: Your employees ARE your business.
We could have a hundred new accounts tomorrow, but if we don't have great cleaners to service them, we have nothing. That's why we:
- Pay competitive wages that attract and retain quality people
- Only hire through referrals from our existing trusted team
- Invest in comprehensive training through our "Cleaning University" program
- Create an environment where people want to stay
The result? We have a waitlist of qualified cleaners who want to work for us, and our clients benefit from working with the same trusted faces month after month, year after year.
Audit-Verified Cleaning: We Inspect What We Expect
Every company says they deliver quality. We prove it.
Our quality assurance system includes regular audits of our work. We're checking that the promises we made to you are being fulfilled. We're making sure standards aren't slipping. We're catching small issues before they become big problems.
Think of it like this: Most cleaning companies hope their work is good. We verify it.
Direct Access When You Need It
When you work with Rodan Cleaning, you get our email, cell phone, and office number. Not a customer service line. Not a regional manager. The owner.
Why? Because we've been on the other side. We know how frustrating it is to have a problem and feel like you're screaming into the void. When you need something addressed, you deserve to talk to someone who can actually fix it—immediately.
What Des Moines Businesses Should Actually Look For
If you're evaluating commercial cleaning companies in Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, or anywhere in the metro area, here's your checklist:
The Non-Negotiables:
Proven Track Record: How long have they been in business? Can they provide references from long-term clients? Any company can look good for six months. You want someone who's delivered consistently for years.
Employee Retention: Ask directly about turnover rates. How long has their average cleaner been with them? If they dodge the question, you have your answer.
Quality Assurance Process: Don't just take their word that they deliver quality. Ask them to explain their QA system. How do they verify standards are being met?
Communication Structure: Who will you talk to when problems arise? How quickly can you expect responses? Get this in writing.
Training Program: How do they train new employees? Is there a formal program, or is it just "shadow someone for a day and figure it out"?
The Red Flags:
Prices significantly below market rate
Can't provide references from long-term clients
Vague answers about their quality control process
High-pressure sales tactics
Long-term contracts with minimal service guarantees
No direct access to decision-makers
The Bottom Line
Commercial cleaning companies fail because they treat your business like a commodity and their employees like disposable labor. The excellence creep is real, and it's expensive.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
When you work with a company that invests in their people, maintains rigorous quality standards, and actually gives you direct access when issues arise, cleaning becomes one less thing you have to worry about.
Your building should be a reflection of your business—professional, welcoming, and maintained to the highest standards. You deserve a cleaning partner who treats it that way.
Ready for a Cleaning Company That Actually Delivers?
For over 25 years, Rodan Cleaning has been trusted by Des Moines businesses who refuse to settle for "good enough." We're not the cheapest option, but we might be the last cleaning company you ever need to hire.
Schedule your free walkthrough today:
- Call or text: (515) 276-1618
- Email: info@rodancleaning.com
- Visit: rodancleaning.com
We serve the entire Des Moines metro area, including Urbandale, Waukee, and surrounding communities.
Insights from 25+ Years of Cleaning Excellence
Real-world expertise from the field, not generic cleaning tips. We share what property managers and construction teams need to know about commercial cleaning - straight talk backed by decades of experience and The Rodan Standard.
