Monthly Archives: May 2017

Pre-Cleans

REAL ESTATE – HOMEOWNER PRE-CLEANS  

State Building Maintenance Limited understands, for both the Realtor and Homeowner, the importance of a detailed cleaning of your house/condo before your For-Sale sign goes up and you hold that first Open House.  It is our job to reduce your stress before you showcase your home.  Every prospective buyer begins by looking at the big pictures then starts taking in the details.  Marked flooring and walls, moldy bathrooms, greasy stoves etc. can be a deterrent to prospective buyers. Our cleaning company never wants to see that happen so our highly-trained crews will put our years of experience to work for you and make sure that your home is inviting to all potential buyers.

We understand that all sellers cannot invest in re-landscaping their property before an Open House but there is much you can do to enhance your CURB APPEAL.  A buyer should see

  • a neatly cut and trimmed lawn
  • weeds pulled from a garden bed
  • dead shrubs/plants removed
  • spot free windows
  • a washed down front porch, sidewalk and driveway
  • sparkling outdoor lights
  • garbage bins removed from the buyer’s sightline, preferably stored in a garage
  • if you have interlock make sure that these pavers are level so no one trips over protruding pavers and if there is any oil staining give those pavers a wash with a degreaser
  • add an entrance mat and to add a cozy look to a front porch put out a comfy chair with an attractive pillow
  • if you are planning on putting out an urn full of flowers do not place it to close to the door so it will not draw bees
  • in winter months, snow must be removed from the driveway, walkways, porches and balconies
  • for ice build-up, we can supply and spread de-icers

On the OUTSIDE, State Building Maintenance Limited begins with

  • cleaning all the entrance doors and door frames, inside and out, and the side lights
  • all windows and window frames
  • all outdoor lights
  • the front and side garage door, often overlooked

In the KITCHEN, we start with

  • washing the ceiling, the walls, the decorative molding, light fixtures, the fan, plus the cupboards, inside and out, as they may have become greasy overtime
  • we clean the fridge, including bar fridges, the stove, the range hood and the microwave, inside and out, including the range hood filters
  • if you have a self-cleaning oven it may require two days of work as it needs to cool down before the inside ash is removed
  • we use a specialized cleaner on all stainless steel
  • we clean the counters, taking into account the varied materials that are now being used such as marble, granite, quartz, Corian, laminates etc. as all require different cleaning methods
  • the sinks and taps will be cleaned and wiped down with a soft cloth to bring up their shine
  • the table and chairs are cleaned if left in the kitchen
  • we scrub/clean the floors and kick plates and depending on the type of flooring we may put down the appropriate sealer if the customer wishes

In the WASHROOMS, we

  • clean walls, wall tiles, doors, trim, switch plates and lighting
  • clean, disinfect and deodorize the shower stall, tub, toilet and bidet
  • the counters, sinks and taps are cleaned and disinfected
  • the cabinets are wiped down, inside and out, as there can be residue on the shelves from lotions etc.
  • the mirrors are washed and left gleaming
  • if there is mold, most noticeable around the tub surround, we will use the correct solution to tackle the job
  • the floors are cleaned and disinfected

Throughout all the FINISHED LEVELS of the house

  • the windows, trim, sills and tracks are cleaned
  • the walls, doors, trim and baseboards are wiped down or washed
  • the lighting is cleaned and cobwebs removed on all floors
  • California shutters and verticals are dusted and washed if necessary
  • the fireplace and the surround are cleaned

FLOORING

Flooring, be it marble, terrazzo, porcelain tiles, vinyl, carpeting, hardwood or laminate, all require a different approach.  With the hard elements, depending what the customer requires, State Building Maintenance Limited will clean/refinish your flooring with the appropriate solution and/or sealer.  All this will be discussed with the seller.

With CARPETS, we first

  • thoroughly vacuum the carpets
  • then spot clean any stains, especially pet urine stains as they require a specific solution to break up the stain and deal with the smell
  • we use a variety of spot cleaners for different chemical stains such as coffee spills, grease spots
  • we will then steam clean and/or rotary clean your carpet depending on how heavily soiled it is and your time frame as steam cleaning requires more drying time than rotary cleaning
  • we will add an anti-browning agent plus deodorizer
  • we can bring in commercial dryers to speed up the drying process

We take care of pet stains and smells in carpets, smoke stained walls etc., but smoking can also leave strong odors in drapes and sheers so we suggest that if they are to be left up during an open house that they be sent out to be professionally cleaned and if the owner’s soft material sofas are also being left for an open house we recommend that they either be professionally cleaned or sprayed with an odor neutralizing solution.  Strong or musty odors can be a major deterrent to a buyer.

We also

  • dust furniture if the house is staged
  • remove cobwebs in the unfinished basement
  • sweep and/or damp wipe the floor of an unfinished basement
  • make sure the laundry tub is as clean as possible, depending on how it was used
  • sweep and/or blow the dust from inside the garage
  • check to make sure all the lights are in working order
  • rinse outdoor furniture

State Building Maintenance Limited 

  • will continue to offer our services throughout the selling process if touch-ups are required

HINTS

As most people are offended by strong smells we suggest opening windows for a brief time just before an open house but nothing smells as fresh as CLEAN.

If you would like to add a fresh fragrance we suggest a very light lemon scent that says summer, nothing overwhelming or obvious.  A buyer may then see himself sitting in the backyard or out on a condo balcony sipping a refreshing lemonade drink and wouldn’t that be a good thing?

A bouquet of fresh flowers is a lovely touch but remember to select a flower without a strong scent and make sure the water is changed daily or buy an top quality, silk arrangement.

Declutter, de-clutter and we can not say that enough, de-clutter and that applies to closets because buyers want to see space.

Take away little bits and personal pictures if they fill a wall and possibly purchase a large, inexpensive, modern frameless print of the kind your realtor suggests.

So many homes are now open concept but if your home is not, create that look by removing unnecessary furniture so buyers get that wide-open feeling.

State Building Maintenance Limited does it all, we have even climbed our ladders and carefully cleaned your exquisite, crystal chandelier.  We understand, being homeowners ourselves, what is needed to create that rush of excitement for the buyer, that positive first impression, thus ensuring many offers.  We are a full-service cleaning and janitorial company, in business since 1963, so please call us for a no obligation quote at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

 

 

 

OUR HIRING PRACTICES

State Building Maintenance 

OUR HIRING PRACTICES
State Building Maintenance Limited incorporates a set of standards and protections when hiring our cleaning staff such that our customers can be confident that all our staff are professionally trained in the latest janitorial cleaning methods and tools by our company. Newly hired janitors that may come to us from another Toronto cleaning company often feel that they have the knowledge to immediately handle a new job but we re-teach as we have a proven track record of effective business and home cleaning methods.  Our loyal and satisfied customers will attest to our first-rate processes and professionalism.So initially when a new janitor comes to us we work along with them for several nights, teaching and changing, if necessary, their previous cleaning methods.  We instruct them on the correct usage of cleaning solutions, our system of restocking and date stamping supplies, the technique, and there is a technique, on working with our cleaning equipment, and something as simple but important, on which lights need to be left on/off when leaving an office. Our supervisors will also do on the spot checks and they are always on call to handle further questions from our employees or lend a hand. Our employees are also instructed to call us immediately if they come upon any problems such as plumbing etc. They must also notify us in advance when our company needs to bring in additional cleaning supplies. We retrain when introducing new janitorial equipment and solutions.

Our customers place great trust in us to care for their place of business, be it a Toronto office or factory, it is our responsibility to put an inordinate emphasis on protecting their premises, so State Building Maintenance Limited teach our cleaners on the proper procedure of opening and closing an office/ building, most often working with alarm systems. Only when we are completely satisfied with their working knowledge do we turn over the keys.

When a Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Mississauga cleaning company sub-contracts, and many do, they do not necessarily know the quality of work or the character of the company they are hiring, they may not have had the proper training so may not perform as expected.  Our janitorial company has the expertise to tackle the many jobs required in commercial and janitorial cleaning, be it for general offices, industrial, condominium or retail cleaning, so STATE BUILDING MAINTENANCE LIMITED DOES NOT SUB-CONTRACT.

It is also of the utmost importance that our commercial and janitorial cleaning services company protect our invaluable full and part-time employees, some of whom have worked with us until they have retired.  State Building Maintenance Limited is registered with WSIB, the Workplace Safety Insurance Board that states it “administers compensation and no-fault insurance for Ontario workplaces”.  This insurance gives peace of mind to our cleaners as it provides lost wages to employees injured on the job and added protection to the company they work for.

To further protect our janitorial staff, we supply them with PPE, personal protection equipment.  How they are protected and what they are supplied with depends on the facility and area they are working in. For general commercial cleaning, they are supplied with gloves and masks and easy to use portable carts for less strain when gathering garbage.  For industrial, manufacturing or warehouse jobs, in addition, we also provide our staff with safety glasses, hard-toed work shoes and safety vests and at times they must wear hard hats.

We are also certified members of WHMIS, the Workplace Hazardous Material Information Systems. This is a government course we have taken to ensure the health and safety of our employees and the companies we work for. Our suppliers must classify all their products according to hazard and label all solutions as to their use along with warning labels.  They must also make available Material Safety Data Sheets, MSDS, on all products we order. These sheets are put into the Janitor Supply Room so in the event of an emergency the MSDS will be provided to a Doctor. We also provide these information sheets to our customers so they have data on each product that we regularly use. We also spend additional time to make sure that our employees, whose first language is not English, can understand signage and follow through on our rules when working with solutions and equipment.

To give further assurance to our clients we are bonded and insured.  In a cleaning business, a bond represents a form of insurance that protects against theft and damage.  State Building Maintenance Limited carries Liability Insurance, a Dishonesty Bond and Key Loss Insurance so as to remain dependable in the eyes of our customers. State Building Maintenance Limited, proudly serving our customers since 1963, is here to stay and WE DO IT ALL, so please check out our Janitorial page as to all the services that we can offer your company.

To find out more about our Janitorial Services please call us for a free quote at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

Janitorial Services Toronto & Vaughan

Office Cleaning Services and Allergies

HOW STATE BUILDING MAINTENANCE LIMITED CAN REDUCE THE MISERY OF THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM SPRING ALLERGIES

Office Cleaning Services for Allergies in Commercial, Manufacturing, Condominium and Retail Spaces

The weather may have warmed and staff can now be seen sitting outside during their lunch break, but for some of us at this time of year spring brings nothing but sneezes, itchy eyes, coughs and a general malaise. For all those who suffer from spring allergies the culprit is pollen and in the spring one of the first known offenders are our trees, followed by grasses. Pollen, miniscule particles, released from our trees and carried by the wind, are then brought into our workplace by adhering to our clothes and our footwear and unfortunately end up in our noses to bring on the achoos, with allergy sufferers feeling miserable.

You may glean much information from your Dr. on how to handle spring allergies and he may also recommend medications, both off the shelf and on prescription, and on the internet there is much household cleaning advice for allergy sufferers. But in general, business owners may not know what EXTRA OFFICE CLEANING PROCEDURES can be performed by State Building Maintenance Limited to alleviate some of your employees’ suffering. Some of these measures are often part of our regular cleaning program, frequently on a three-month basis, but others are on “as the customer requests”.

We all know how ill we feel when we are stricken with a cold that lasts about two weeks and how it affects our productivity but with allergy sufferers the suffering is ongoing, so it is easily understandable that anything State Building Maintenance Limited can do to remove pollen and its nasty effects will increase your employee’s productivity. So what can State Building Maintenance Limited do to help in these situations you may wonder?  We will put down entrance mats, that can be purchased from our company, these mats will help sluff off some of the pollen that has stuck to staff and customers’ footwear.  At this time of year we recommend an entrance mat that has a rougher texture to facilitate pollen removal. These mats should be vacuumed nightly.   If your business has a separate area for jackets and it is not a wardrobe policy to wear dress jackets, place your jackets away from your workstation.  Every little effort will be appreciated by allergy sufferers. Keeping a box of tissue on your desk, which State Building Maintenance Limited can supply, is a welcomed gesture.

But it is our efficient nighttime office, condo and manufacturing cleaning by our trained staff that can reduce this suffering the most.  Besides our usual nighttime office and janitorial cleaning routine, we pay special attention to those areas that will harbour pollen.  If staff walk in with pollen on their clothes and proceed to sit down on fabric chairs State Building Maintenance Limited suggests a thorough nighttime vacuuming of any soft material and at some point, in the late spring, a steam cleaning of all upholstery.   And even though your business may not yet be ready for a spring window cleaning we recommend a monthly vacuuming of the window sills and tracks. Have you taken a good look at your blinds, both horizontal and vertical?  If it is not part of your maintenance program to have the dust removed every three months, now would be the perfect time to request this action. But don’t forget to arrange for that inside/outside window cleaning.

In our homes, we can replace our furnace fillers and have our vents cleaned as often as we choose but in businesses, whether they be Commercial, Industrial or Retail, it is not that simple.  Pollen is a sticky substance and with air movement pollen can stick to anything, so we say “look up”.  This is where HIGH LEVEL CLEANING comes in. Not only are we talking about the tops of doors, bookshelves, pictures frames, partitions, washroom stalls, cupboards, fridges etc. but as part of your cleaning program we suggest you have written in your quote, at least seasonally, high level cleaning.  This may involve specialize equipment where we will clean your air intake vents, your air conditioning vents, door vents, clean your lighting fixtures and remove all cobwebs. Even large leafed plants, whether natural or artificial, should be wiped down.  For those staff who suffer from allergies and who have enclosed offices within your company one can purchase room air purifiers.  Make sure you purchase one that lists the removal of pollen and mold spores.

Many allergy sufferers are delighted to see spring rains as rain washes the pollen out of the air but that can create another problem, with moisture and humidity comes mold.  So spring’s problems can be twofold. Spring rains may show up weaknesses in windows sills causing flooding down the walls and onto your floors.  It is important that your cleaning company be notified immediately to deal with this moisture so MOLD does not have a chance to take hold, as many people are also allergic to mold as well as pollen. One often notices mold not from sight but from smell, such as the smell of MUSTY carpets when standing water has not been removed. So if that is your problem, State Building Maintenance Limited will steam clean your carpets, or rotary clean your carpets, a faster drying method, using the appropriate cleaner plus a deodorizing and an anti-browning agent.

So as you see, there is much State Building Maintenance Limited can do to make life less miserable for those suffering from allergies. And with good health comes better productivity for your business. So please call us as we will be only be too happy to do a walk through of your business, giving recommendations, with no obligation, as to how your company can better the health of your office staff.

Our knowledgeable and professionally trained office cleaning staff will be there to service and maintain all your office cleaning and janitorial needs, no matter what size your COMMERCIAL, RETAIL, INDUSTRIAL, or CONDOMINUM space is. Please call State Building Maintenance Limited at 416-247-1290 or email us info@sbml.ca for a free QUOTE

Janitorial Service Toronto, Vaughan, Markham and Toronto – State Building Maintenance

How to Choose the Right Markham, Vaughan and Toronto Commercial Janitorial Service for Your Business

Janitorial Service TorontoFinding the right janitorial service is a very important decision for your business. It’s important to ask the right questions when you are speaking with prospective commercial cleaning companies. Maintaining a sanitary and clean work environment is essential to the success of your business.

First impressions are extremely important in business and a messy or dirty building can instantly create a negative experience for customers, tenants and employees. Having clean spaces will create an instant positive reaction and will improve your building’s appearance and hygiene.

Let’s be honest, it can be hard to maintain a clean building with so many other tasks on your daily to-do list. Many companies find it to be more cost effective to hire an outside commercial cleaning company to handle their ongoing and seasonal cleaning needs instead of adding a full-time janitor to their payroll. There are many commercial cleaning companies throughout Toronto, Vaughan, Markham and Mississauga that offer janitorial services. Finding the right janitorial service for your business can not only keep your workplace clean, it can save your company a lot of money and stress.

Outsourcing your cleaning needs to a Vaughan, Markham cleaning company will allow your employees the ability to focus on their actual jobs. Cleaning chemicals can be hazardous when they are not used properly. An experienced commercial cleaning company will be trained and certified to use these chemicals, products and equipment needed to clean your space properly. This will not only ensure the job is done properly but will protect you and your staff from any unfortunate hazards involving cleaning products.

Ideally, you will want to hire a janitorial company that utilizes the right equipment and tools to do the job properly. Also, experience in office space cleaning is a key thing to seek in a janitorial company. You’ll want a partner who operates with quiet cleaning equipment, allowing your business to function as usual while the cleaning is taking place during the daytime and/or the night time. Professionalism is a must-have for any janitorial cleaning service you hire. You need your workplace cleaned to the highest standard in a timely fashion. An experienced commercial cleaning company will provide a level of professionalism that you and your business can count on. A clean building is essential to your business so you need your cleaning company to have a strong attention to detail, allowing you and your team the ability to focus on your day-to-day tasks. Any experienced janitorial company should be able to quickly provide you with a list of references. It’s important to ask and verify the work of any cleaning company that you are thinking about hiring.

Experience is also another important element to consider. Since 1963, State Building Maintenance Limited (SBML) has been supplying office cleaning services in Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Scarborough and throughout the GTA. Experience also allows our professional cleaners the ability to have a deep understanding of their craft. At SBML we do our job efficiently the first time, making your workplace sparkle until the next visit.

It’s important to work with your janitorial service to come up with an action plan that’s customized for your business’ needs and schedule. We will work with you to address your company’s unique cleaning requirements. We’ll target your troublesome and high-traffic areas and design a plan that will best keep your space clean for the long term. A strong office janitorial plan will keep your space clean and will save you money by optimizing cleaning time. Services are scheduled based on your company’s operational schedule, budget, and seasonal needs.

We have your business janitorial needs covered, our clients include corporate offices, commercial properties, high-rise office buildings, industrial properties, condominiums, retail outlets and office spaces of all sizes.

We take a lot of pride in our ability to exceed the expectations of our clients throughout Markham, Vaughan and Toronto with our janitorial services. We’re proud of the reputation we earned over the years and our experienced cleaning team take this experience with them to every cleaning job we do. Looking for the right janitorial service partner? Contact us today for a free quote at info@sbml.ca or call us at 416-247-1290 and learn how SBML can keep your building sparkling.