New York has no shortage of cleaning companies. What it short of is cleaning companies that will still be answering your emails in month nine. Here's the vetting process sophisticated NYC facility managers use before signing anything.
Paper First (Fast to Check, Kills Many Candidates)
- Insurance: general liability $1M/$2M minimum, workers' comp in force, umbrella if your landlord's form asks for it. Get the COI naming your entity and landlord as additional insured — before the start date.
- W-2 employees vs. paper crews: subcontracted or 1099 "crews" are how quality and accountability evaporate. Ask directly.
- Hiring standards: background checks for anyone holding your keys and alarm codes. Non-negotiable in NYC offices.
Operations Second
- Supervisor-to-crew ratio and how QC inspections reach you (photos and a log, or silence?)
- Call-out coverage: who cleans your office tonight if the assigned cleaner is sick?
- Named account manager with a phone number — not a mailbox.
References That Actually Expose Problems
Ask for three current clients in buildings comparable to yours — same borough, similar square footage — and ask those clients one killer question: "What went wrong, and how did they handle it?" Every vendor has a failure story; only good ones have good answers.
The Pilot Clause
We suggest a 30–60 day pilot with a written exit window on every new program. Confidence should be mutual. Start a conversation — we'll bring COI, references in your borough, and a line-item quote to the first meeting. Also see our guide on choosing a commercial cleaning partner.
📍 Archin Unity serves clients nationwide with four core facility services:
🏢 Commercial Cleaning | 🪟 Window Cleaning | ❄️ Cold Room Cleaning | 💧 Water Damage Restoration
Need facility services for your business? Contact us for a free quote →