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There are many commercial settings which could benefit from employing an external cleaning company. From clean-up jobs after a construction project has ended, to regular office cleaning… and more, professional cleaning companies can really help lots of organisations out. Keeping your site or premises clean not only looks after the health and safety of staff but also presents a better image to clients. Of course, it also means that staff are not taking valuable time out of their roles to clean up themselves!

Before you hire any cleaning company, though, you should do your research to ensure they are the right people for the job. Here are a few things to take into account before hiring any:

Look at online reviews

A good first step is to take a look at any online reviews the company you are thinking of using has. This will allow you to see exactly the kind of service they offer and also what their reputation is like. Naturally, you want to find a company that has positive reviews and is known for delivering great results. Doing this is as easy as typing their name into an internet search engine and seeing what comes up or taking a look at their website for client feedback.

Range of services

Another good tip is to look for a company that offers a variety of cleaning services. This could be anything from window cleaning to standard office cleaning and even grounds maintenance or decorating! By choosing a company that does it all, you are saving time and money on having to find different cleaners for each task. Even if you only want one certain cleaning task doing now, this might change in the future. With this in mind, building a working relationship with a cleaner who offers a variety of services is wise.

Check they are accredited

Any commercial premises will want to use a cleaning company that has accreditations to its name from professional bodies. This helps you to gain further proof that the company you use is up to scratch and also follows the relevant industry guideline when working. It also gives you full peace of mind that they are a reputable outfit who you can trust to do a good job.

Let Associated Cleaning Contractors help

If your business or organisation is based in North-West England (covering Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Wigan and Manchester) and you need the best cleaning services around, call today on 01204 495 222.
We hold accreditations from respected professional bodies including the British Institute of Cleaning Science and offer a wide range of cleaning services. With a reputation for outstanding results and a customer-focused approach, we can help keep your work environment clean.

School landscape, gardens, and grounds should be well-maintained not only for aesthetic reasons but because they directly affect the health and safety of students. To ensure you get the best results for your school, outsourcing garden and ground maintenance services is essential.

Here are the reasons why it is wise and prudent to outsource ground maintenance for your school facility…

High level of professionalism and expertise

Outsourced garden or ground maintenance services are beneficial because they offer an assured level of high professionalism. A professional service should have many years of experience, and better gardening tools, that a school may not possess. They know how to handle different situations and which equipment is suitable for your space and needs.

Saves time and costs

Outsourcing ground maintenance services saves your employees time and enables them to concentrate on other duties. Additionally, you will not need to invest in expensive tools or training on how to use them. Hiring an in-house employee to manage your ground will be more expensive considering their salary, compensation, health insurance, and benefits.

Variety, reliability, and stability

Hiring ground maintenance companies for your school offers not only many types of services but also ensures high flexibility and reliability in terms of scheduling and prompt response. They give you great consistency and stability since they are available whenever needed, and you don’t have to worry about challenges or delays such as a worker calling sick.

Better quality, cleanliness, and eco-friendliness standards

Due to expert knowledge, outsourced service providers provide higher standards of results and pay more considerable attention to eco-friendly details. They also have the tools to handle risky tasks that unskilled in-house workers may be afraid to do due to the possibility of accidents.

Does your facility require ground maintenance or gardening services? We have you covered with our professional and effective cleaning and maintenance services. Get in touch with us today and explore our wide range of services; we are dedicated to ensuring professional and high-quality services for your facility at a fair rate.

Anyone who owns or runs a business will know how important it is to constantly impress customers and clients

In fact, your operation could quite easily hit a rough patch if you lose the trust of such people. This is why you should remember to always keep the windows clean at your place of business. While the odd handprint or streak of grime might not necessarily stop you from offering an amazing service, it can actually be enough to make others question whether you’re someone to do business with. With this in mind, here are three ways unclean windows can send the wrong message.

Pride for your working environment

Unclean windows can essentially act as a warning light to people. They tell anyone who comes near your business that you don’t take pride in its appearance and, more likely than not, your brand. This, of course, could lead to the damaging assumption that you also don’t take pride in the service you offer. Unfortunately, it’s hard to shake off this assumption – whether it’s right or wrong – as long as you have unclean windows at your office.

Organisation within the business

It’s understandable that people will only want to do business with you if you come across as organised and trustworthy. You likely won’t convey this on a first impression if your glass is filthy. It suggests that you’re unorganised and lacking in the ability to get your priorities in order. How can someone trust you to do a good job if you’re failing to keep your windows clean – a job that is actually rather easy to organise.

Business Growth

Clients, in particular, will have reservations about doing business with you if your windows aren’t squeaky clean. After all, business relationships are formed on the basis that both sides can make money and grow together. Unfortunately, you’re sending the message that growth isn’t important to you or your business if you’ve failed to invest in a window cleaning service – something that is both affordable and necessary.

Let Associated Cleaning Contractors help your business

There’s nothing to stop your business from going from strength to strength once you’ve got clean windows. Therefore, be sure to get in touch with Associated Cleaning Contractors for a service that’s not just essential but also puts health and safety first.

See some of our window cleaning work on Facebook

A clean environment is important not only for the productivity of your employees but also for the positive image of your business, and regulatory compliance. For most organisations, cleaning is a job delegated to some custodian employees and even in some instances, regular employees are given the additional tasks of performing the cleaning.

While there are numerous excuses your employees could offer you not to do the cleaning themselves, below are some serious risks and liabilities you expose yourself by asking them to do it.

1. Requirements for liability insurance

When doing your own cleaning, there are several liability risks you need to consider; these include possible injury to your workers and visitors due to slippery floors or other incidences such as poisoning by cleaning agents.

Hiring a cleaning service will ensure that the proper safety measures are in place, proper signs are displayed and importantly, that there is liability coverage in place to cushion your organisation from possible charges.

2. Compliance with OSHA

It is a regulatory requirement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that the business working environment is kept in a sanitary, clean and serviceable condition. Since this is the duty of the employer, they should not only ensure that cleaning is done, but that it is done in compliance with OSHA regulations.

While employees may fail to appreciate the serious legal implications of not following guidelines, cleaning services use professionals who will ensure that all health and safety regulations are followed, preventing any legal consequences by OSHA.

3. Decreased productivity of workers

In businesses where the employees do their own cleaning, their productivity and morale are reduced as they will be spending their time on duties that they were not primarily hired for.

Hiring a cleaning service will ensure that your employees stick to the duties they were initially hired for, maintaining their productivity.

4. Overhead costs

Doing your own cleaning also comes with overhead costs. These include the cost of cleaning equipment and their maintenance, the cost of hiring the custodians, and costs of workers’ compensation insurance. A cleaning service takes all this off the manager’s back as they come equipped with their own material and workers, ready to take care of any liabilities that could occur when cleaning.

The reasons given above should make it clear to managers that the best way to go is hiring a cleaning company to handle their dirty work for them. Besides avoiding the resulting risks and liabilities involved in cleaning your own business, you will be able to enjoy the professionalism and accountability brought by these cleaning companies.

If you require help with any routine maintenance or industrial cleaning for your organisation, feel free to contact Associated Cleaning Contractors who guarantee you hustle free cleaning services that will be worth your money. Browse our website for the latest cleaning insights to keep you updated with the trends in the industry.

Looking to sell your office space? Whether you’re expanding your business because you need larger premises or you’re moving to a better location, you’ll want to sell up as quickly as possible.

The last thing you want is for your company’s growth to suffer because you’re unable to find a buyer fast enough. It’s therefore vital to make your offices as appealing as you can. You’ll want to give the impression that a buyer could move their own business in straight away without having to do any work on the place themselves. Here’s how.

1. Redecorate

It’s surprising what a difference a fresh layer of paint can make, especially if you haven’t redecorated for several years. Old paint can discolour, peel and accumulate dirt and dust, which isn’t a good look. Also, your existing colour scheme may not be suitable for the next company that wants to move in, making it harder for them to imagine what the space would look like if they took over.

New paint in neutral tones would make your offices appear bigger and brighter while eliminating years of dirt and marks. It would also create a blank canvas.

2. Lay new carpets

Your carpets will no doubt have seen more than their fair share of spilt coffees over the years, and will probably have the stains to prove it. What’s more, carpets can wear thin and lose their colour over time, so lay new ones to bring the office space bang up to date. Or, give the old one a professional clean.

3. Do a deep clean

When was the last time you carried out a deep clean in all the nooks and crannies? After growing so accustomed to the same space every day, your eyes may not spot the smaller problems that prospective buyers could pick up instantly, such as that little bit of mould around the windowsill. Pay attention to the smaller details with a thorough clean up, and you’ll impress potential buyers; the last thing they want to do when they move in is to clean but a ready-to-move-into property will be very appealing.

4. Tend the garden

Companies will be looking for a low-maintenance outdoor area to complement their office space, and the last impression you’ll want to give is that the garden is difficult to manage. So don’t forget to tidy up outdoors as well!

Need help getting ready for a commercial property sale? Associated Cleaning Contractors can provide all of these services and more, so contact us today.

We often hear about how office colour schemes can impact workplace performance, but it’s not only adults whose moods and creativity can be affected by the choice of paint.
The same psychological phenomena begins all the way back in the classroom, with shade and tone having a significant impact on how children perform. This means that educators have a real responsibility to pick their colour palette with care.

To help you do that, here are just a few of the most popular options and how they can impact schoolroom performance.

Green

Green is a colour that comes with lots of positive connotations. Widely associated with balance, harmony, and nature, it’s been shown to have a soothing yet stimulating effect on young minds. Creating a sense of light and freshness, it generally elicits positive feelings, helping to make time spent in the classroom seem enjoyable and fun.

Blue

Like green, blue is a good choice of colour for classrooms. Associated with order, direction, and peace, it tends to get young brains firing on all cylinders without overstimulating them. Creating a sense of tranquillity, it makes the classroom feel like a safe and soothing environment for learning.

White

Although white isn’t the most exciting choice when it comes to picking out a colour scheme, simplicity has its plus points. Helping to brighten the room around it, it has an enlarging effect that can help to open up the classroom environment and make it feel less claustrophobic. In addition, white tends not to be distracting, making it easier for younger children to listen and focus.

Yellow

Yellow is a lovely positive colour, and that makes it another clever choice for classrooms. Associated with sunshine and positivity, it imbues the surrounding area with a sense of warmth, with lots of children claiming that it makes them feel happy and at ease.

When it comes to choosing a colour scheme for your classroom, it’s amazing how much of an impact your chosen palette can have on the mood and focus of the children you’re teaching, which is why we recommend selecting your shade with care.

Want to know more about how we could help you to redecorate? Then contact our team today for project management advice and everything you need to know about our commercial painting services.

When it comes to the health and safety of your staff, having a clean office environment significantly lowers the risks of accidents and also illnesses.

But there is another aspect of keeping your business premises clean that also impacts on health and safety, and that is window cleaning.

First of all, it is not a good idea to get office staff or any other employees to clean windows in the workplace. The only exception to this might be any maintenance staff you employ, and then, only if they are trained and experienced with working off ladders.

Protecting members of the public

Of course, it’s not just the health and safety of your staff that you have to think about when having your windows cleaned at work. It’s members of the public too. If you have passers-by in the vicinity when window cleaning is in process, they also can be at risk from falling objects or slippery walking surfaces.

The welfare of cleaning contractor operatives

Health and safety considerations don’t stop with staff or joe public either. You also have to consider the welfare of the cleaners themselves. If you employ window cleaners who used untrained or inexperienced staff, you could also be deemed to be culpable if they get hurt in the process.

The danger is even greater of course if your offices are in a high rise. Working at height is always inherently dangerous, and these types of falls can cause severe injuries and are often fatal. There is also an increased risk for any members of the public who are allowed to stray into the area.

The advantage of using a professional approved cleaning contractor

The safest way forward for any business is to use a firm of professional cleaners like us here at Associated Cleaning Contractors. Our health and safety standards are impeccable; when you employ us, you are safe in the knowledge that:

– All our procedures are tried and tested and are covered by appropriate COSHH risk statement
– We regularly monitor and update or procedures
– All staff operating cleaning platforms are covered by IPAF operator certificates
– Any tower erections are PASMA certificated
– We periodically carry out health and safety spot-checks
– All cleaning projects we undertake have pre-drawn up specifications
– We carry out regular audits involving the client where appropriate

Aesthetically pleasing

Keeping your windows sparkling clean is not only good for those working inside the building, but it also has a positive effect on outsiders too. Employees have a clear view of the world outside, and visitors and passers-by are assured of the professionalism and integrity of the business owners.

Here at ACC, we cover all aspects of commercial cleaning within our project management remit. For more information, call us on 01204 495 222 or email us at info@acc.uk.com.

Management and disposal of waste after completion of construction work in a demolition or a building site is very important

According to statistics, the demolition and building industry in the UK has seen an increased waste production. The waste produced by the industry has risen from 59.2 to 66.2 million tonnes between 2010 and 2016. With waste recovery rates of more than 90%, it is important to maintain or improve the high standards. Your company should do its part in the overall management of construction waste. Let us look at some of the benefits your company will derive from effective management and disposal of construction waste.

Compliance with UK laws

According to the Waste Regulation of 2011, businesses have the legal responsibility of controlling their waste. Proper disposal of construction waste will ensure that your business is not entangled in potentially protracted and costly lawsuits.

Health and safety standards

The safety and health of your employees and members of the public should be a top priority for your business. Proper management, such as disposing of after-builds from a site can prevent possible accidents. Removing construction waste from working space ensures that they are not left in inappropriate locations where they can be hazardous.

Enhanced reputation

A business that is cautious and concerned about environmental safety and health is likely to develop a positive reputation. This will improve the relationship with clients and possibly create opportunities with government-sponsored projects.

Corporate social responsibility

Proper waste management will ensure that the environment and its natural resources are conserved for current and future generations. If your company cannot manage its construction waste on its own, you can always seek professional and expert clean-up services from firms that specialise in that area.

Company-wide awareness

A company that is committed towards proper waste disposal will not only have safe and sustainable practices but will also create a long-lasting culture among employees. They will also feel compelled to emulate such practices in their work and personal lives.

Do you need professional clean-up services and waste management in your institution? You can contact us for assistance on specialised services in cleaning, ground maintenance, and decoration. We have accreditations from various UK regulatory bodies and are committed to making your workplace safe, healthy, and clean.

Choosing the right paint for your walls can be as important as selecting the right employees. Apart from health and safety considerations, as well as regular clean-ups, colour has a significant influence on your work environment because it tends to influence the productivity of your workers. The ambience of an office plays a critical role in determining employee productivity, and colours play a vital role in setting the appropriate atmosphere that will motivate employees to be productive.

The following are some of the essential colours that infuse a positive effect in the workplace, thereby inducing the productive capacity of employees.

Red

Red is the right paint colour for your office environment, especially for those in duties that involve physical activities, such as customer care settings. However, the colour can also cause anxiety and anger, so intense shades of the pigment should only be used as accents and muted, with the darker tones featuring in the background. Stimulating shades of red are excellent additions in departments such as sales.

Orange

Orange is one colour that helps employees in an office environment to ignore the various distractions inherent in such a setting. The colour stimulates concentration, enhances organisation and boosts productivity. However, the brightness and intensity of the colour will determine how soothing or stimulating the shade will be.

Yellow

Yellow is acclaimed for its ability to stimulate creativity and boosting people’s moods. Painting your office walls with yellow will encourage creative thinking, stirring your employees’ minds to generate innovative ideas. You can also use a soft blue or green colour scheme accented with yellow tones.

Green

Green is the best paint colour for offices that have employees who work long hours. However, too much of the hue can be harmful to employee productivity. You should consider pairing an alluring shade of green with orange or yellow to give your office environment a sense of balance.

Blue

Most colour specialists consider blue to the most productive shade because it stimulates mental activity. You can paint your office with a light shade of blue and spice it up with hues like red, orange or yellow to boost productivity, mood and attention span.

If you require help or advice to redecorate your office, contact ACC today. Our professional painters and decorators can provide solutions that are tailored to your specific requirements.

Those in charge of schools often hire cleaners, to keep classrooms looking their best. School children are surprisingly messy and disorganised, even in such a structured setting, and a messy classroom can be a health and hygiene hazard as well as a bit of an eyesore.

But do you invest as much in the school grounds, beyond the classroom doors?

Here are 3 benefits of professional grounds maintenance for schools:

1. It improves indoor spaces

We’ve gone straight back to indoor spaces – corridors and classrooms. Why? Because they depend on good outdoor grounds.

Poorly maintained grounds, including school gardens and fields, can have terrible patches of mud that will find their way onto a child’s shoes and their clothing. That mud will be dragged indoors, stomped through corridors, transferred to chairs, rubbed into carpets and mats.

Keeping your school grounds in good, mud-free condition will make your school cleaner’s job far easier. It’ll also reduce complaints from parents about the condition of their child’s school uniform!

2. Well maintained grounds are safer

Poorly maintained school grounds can be a health hazard, with standing water and muddy puddles that will cause young children to slip over.

If the grass is too long it can make it hard for children to play safely during the summer months, and weeds like thorns and nettles can be a risk if they’re able to grow.

Another big risk, particularly through the winter, is moss. Moss can become very slippery and will grow even on concrete and tarmac. It may need to be cleared from pathways using chemicals and professional equipment.

Professional grounds maintenance goes far beyond bringing out the lawnmower. A professional can identify other areas of risk, and take them away before children are harmed.

3. It creates a good first impression

Your school is a business. To stay open, do well and receive funding, you need new pupils coming in. Think about how your school looks when people see it for the first time. Do they see poorly maintained outdoor spaces? Dead flowers? Weeds?

Good ground maintenance is a year-round investment. Your school needs to look good for open days, but your future pupils could be walking past with their parents at any moment.

Make a good first impression, and ensure that it lasts through the years, with regular school grounds maintenance. Get in touch for more information.