How to Check if a Cleaning Company is Legitimate in The UK?
Finding a reliable commercial cleaning company in the UK is a difficult task. There are over 67,000 cleaning companies around the UK, with around 12,400 just in London. It’s crucial to choose the right cleaning company if you’re looking to outsource your cleaning services and benefit from several perks cleaning contractors bring to your workspace.
While we previously discussed how to choose the right office cleaning company, it is still essential for facilities managers and office managers to ensure the cleaning contractor is registered and legitimate.
In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to check whether a UK-based commercial cleaning company is registered and legitimate.
#1 Companies House
One of the most reliable ways to verify a cleaning company in the UK is to check its name on the Companies House website.
Just get on the website and search the company’s name. Then, you can select the company from the list of search results.
On the company’s page:
- Check the “Company status” and ensure it is active.
- Check the “Confirmation statement” and ensure it isn’t overdue.
You can also obtain additional information, such as the company registration number or the names of key personnel. However, only the company status and confirmation statement are important for checking the legitimacy of a commercial cleaning company.
#2 Endole Database
Endole is a business intelligence service that has a database of over 7 million companies. It is a reliable source for finding whether a cleaning company is legitimate and has financial stability.
To do this, search the company name on Endole. Select the company from the result page and check all the information you need.
On Endole, you can check the following information free of charge:
- Company status
- Age
- Registration number
- Financial information
#3 Business Directories
There are several business directories covering all types of businesses in the UK. You can check the cleaning company on a few directories to confirm its legitimacy.
Here’s a list of reliable UK business directories:
#4 Independent Review Sites
Checking independent reviews is a great way to determine whether a commercial cleaning company is reliable and provides satisfactory cleaning services.
You can Google the name of the cleaning company to find their Google Business Profile and read their clients’ reviews. Also, if you Google the name followed by the word “review”, you can select other websites that host independent reviews about that specific company.
Business directories also host independent reviews, which give you an edge in determining how the cleaning company provides service to its other clients.
#5 Check Their Online Presence
While researching a particular cleaning company, it’s best to check their website, LinkedIn page and other social media profiles.
Checking the cleaning contractor’s online presence gives you a good gist of how up-to-date and active the company is.
Besides that, you can also learn more information about the company, including their history, clients, qualifications, news and more.
Why Should You Avoid Cheap Cleaning Services?
While the commercial cleaning service cost is one of the major factors in choosing the contractor, it is also a trap many of our clients have fallen into before partnering with us. We have a complete guide on why you should avoid cheap cleaning services. But to summarise, the list below highlights some of the dangers:
- Sub-standard service quality
- Unreliable and inconsistent cleaning service
- Poor communication
- Contractor pays low wages to cleaners
Check for Red Flags Before Hiring a Contractor
Research and due diligence are essential to choose the right cleaning contractor. There are certain red flags to look for when hiring a cleaning contractor. We have another full guide on the red flags to look for in cleaning contractors, but to give you a quick list, avoid cleaning contractors if they:
- Don’t have a certificate of insurance
- Don’t provide authentic references
- Force you to sign the contract faster
- Include complex and ambiguous terms in their contract TOS
Get Your Free Quote Today If You’re in London
If you’re looking for a professional, reliable cleaning service in London, we have the right experts, cleaning operatives and equipment to help you achive the highest level of cleanliness and hygiene in your workspace.
Take the first step today with a free, tailored quote. Our quote is valid for up to 12 months without obligation or hidden fees, giving you plenty of time to make the right decision.
Conclusion
Finding a trustworthy and professional commercial cleaning company in the UK requires careful research and due diligence. With thousands of cleaning contractors operating across the UK, facilities managers and office managers need to verify a company’s legitimacy before committing to a contract. By checking Companies House records, reviewing the Endole database, consulting trusted business directories and reading independent customer reviews, you can gain valuable insights into a company’s financial stability, service quality and reputation.
It is also wise to assess a cleaning contractor’s online presence, as a well-maintained website and active social media profiles often reflect professionalism and reliability. Equally important is avoiding the temptation of choosing the cheapest option, as low-cost cleaning services frequently lead to poor quality results, high staff turnover and disappointing service standards.
Ultimately, selecting the right commercial cleaning company is an investment in the health, safety and productivity of your workplace. A legitimate and dependable cleaning partner will deliver consistent, high-quality results, allowing you to focus on running your business with confidence. By applying these checks and watching out for red flags, you can ensure your chosen cleaning company is both registered and reputable.
