How to Choose a Commercial Cleaning Company in Montreal: 10 Questions to Ask

Handing the keys to your offices or building to a cleaning crew is a decision built on trust. Montreal has no shortage of options — from independent cleaners to large companies — and quotes can vary by a factor of two. Here are the 10 questions to ask before you sign, and the red flags to watch for.

1. Are you insured?

Ask for proof of valid liability insurance. If a member of the cleaning crew damages equipment, a floor or a storefront, that insurance is what protects your business. A serious company will provide its certificate without hesitation.

2. Are you in good standing with the CNESST?

In Quebec, employers pay into the CNESST (the province's workplace health and safety board) to cover workers in case of a workplace accident. Ask the company to confirm it's in good standing — it can obtain a certificate of compliance from the CNESST. It's in your interest too: in some cases, a client can be held liable for a contractor's unpaid premiums.

3. Are your workers employees or subcontractors?

Some companies subcontract most of their work. That isn't necessarily a problem, but you should know who is actually entering your premises, how they're trained and who is responsible for them.

4. How are your crews trained?

Commercial cleaning involves chemicals, powered equipment and sometimes work at heights. Ask what training technicians receive: safe product handling (WHMIS), equipment operation, disinfection protocols and job-site safety.

5. How do you control quality?

The best companies don't just send a crew: they use checklists, carry out regular inspections and adjust the service based on your feedback. Ask how often a supervisor visits your site and how issues are documented.

6. Who will be my point of contact?

When something goes wrong — a missed room, a bin that wasn't emptied — you want to reach someone who can act quickly. Ask who your contact will be and what their usual response time is.

7. Can you work around my schedule?

Evenings, overnight, weekends, early morning before opening: your provider should adapt to your operations, not the other way around. Also check how quickly they can respond to the unexpected, such as water damage, an event or an important visit.

8. How do you handle keys and security?

Your keys, access cards and alarm codes give access to your premises after hours. Ask how they're stored, who has access to them and what happens when an employee leaves the company.

9. What products and equipment do you use?

Professional equipment (auto-scrubbers, HEPA-filtered vacuums, extraction machines) delivers better results in less time. If sustainability matters to you, ask whether the company can use eco-certified products, such as those carrying the ECOLOGO label.

10. What does the contract cover?

Read carefully: contract length, cancellation notice, trial period, included and excluded tasks, frequency of each task and how price adjustments work. A clear contract protects both parties and prevents unpleasant surprises.

Red flags

• A price far below every other quote, with no explanation
• No site visit and no questions about your needs before quoting
• A vague quote with no task list or frequencies
• Unable to provide proof of insurance
• No clear point of contact or quality follow-up process

What NMS offers

At NMS Nettoyage Multi Services, our technicians are certified and our company carries general and professional liability insurance. We work 24/7 by appointment with specialized equipment, and every cleaning plan is built around your actual needs. Whether you're looking for regular commercial cleaning, condo building cleaning or a specialized service, we'll send you a detailed quote within 24 hours.