It’s only natural for businesses to compare prices and look for ways to manage costs when it comes to janitorial services. Cleaning is essential in any business, which means it’s an ongoing expense. In a competitive environment, every dollar matters.

But one of the most common mistakes property managers and business owners make is assuming that the lowest bid automatically represents the best value.

In reality, a low bid often comes with hidden compromises. In commercial cleaning, cutting corners doesn’t just affect appearance — it affects health, safety, professionalism, and long-term building care.

As one industry resource explains:

“Commercial Cleaning Services are essential for maintaining a professional, safe, and welcoming environment in any business or organization… they protect the health of employees and visitors, enhance productivity, and uphold your brand’s reputation.”
https://www.pfacility.com/what-is-commercial-cleaning-services-and-why-it-is-important/

The truth is simple: quality cleaning requires the right supplies, enough labor hours, and most importantly, the right people. When any of those areas are reduced to meet a price point, the results can be costly.

At Personal Touch Service Solutions, we have served the Greater Peoria area for 37 years. Over nearly four decades, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when cleaning is done well — and what happens when shortcuts are taken. Experience teaches you that quality isn’t accidental. It’s intentional.

Let’s explore the high cost of cutting corners — and why investing in professional commercial cleaning is a smart long-term decision.

Cutting Corners on Supplies: The Difference Is Real

One of the first places low-cost cleaning providers reduce expenses is in the products they use.

On the surface, a cleaner is a cleaner. It’s easy to assume the product on a store shelf is the same one professionals use. But professional-grade cleaning products are formulated differently — and that difference matters.

For example, not all disinfectants are created equal. In commercial spaces, products should be hospital-grade and EPA-approved, designed to eliminate microbes and pathogens quickly and effectively.

As ServiceMaster explains:

“Professional commercial disinfectant cleaning services zero in on the bacteria battlegrounds… using EPA-registered products and proven techniques to sanitize and disinfect high-touch and high-risk areas.”
https://www.servicemasterclean.com/clean-blog/commercial-cleaning/the-importance-of-commercial-cleaning/

This matters in high-traffic, real-world environments where people rely on spaces being safe.

Using weaker disinfectants — or products diluted incorrectly — can leave serious gaps in protection. A surface may look clean while harmful bacteria or viruses remain present.

The same is true for floor care. Some inexpensive products leave residue that builds up over time. Others are not pH-neutral, damaging finishes and shortening the life of flooring materials.

In fact, long-term value often comes from doing it right the first time:

“Professional cleaning often saves money on cleaning supplies and equipment… Regular cleaning helps protect your office equipment and furniture from wear and tear.”
https://speckcleaning.com/the-importance-of-commercial-cleaning-a-comprehensive-guide/

Professional cleaning requires more than effort. It requires knowledge of chemistry, surface compatibility, and proper product selection.

When companies cut corners on supplies, the cost shows up later — in worn flooring, lingering odors, and environments that never quite feel truly clean. What seems like a small savings can quietly become a much larger expense.

Cutting Corners on Labor Hours: The Impossible Math of Low Bids

Another major way low bids are achieved is by reducing labor time.

Industry best practices take time. Bathrooms must be detailed. High-touch surfaces must be properly disinfected. Floors require correct maintenance. Dust must be addressed throughout the building.

Yet low bids often rely on a simple promise: “We can do the same work for less.”

What that usually means is that the same scope of work is expected in fewer hours.

No matter how dedicated an employee is, rushed cleaning inevitably leads to missed details. Corners get skipped. Areas behind furniture go untouched. Restrooms receive surface-level attention instead of thorough care.

As Imperial Cleaning notes:

“Opting for commercial building cleaning services extends beyond a mere financial calculation; it’s an investment in the professional image and operational efficiency of your business.”
https://blog.imperialcleaning.com/blog/the-importance-of-investing-in-quality-commercial-cleaning-services/

Sustainable results require realistic time, clear standards, and the ability to do the job properly.

When cleaning schedules don’t allow adequate time, quality declines. Customer dissatisfaction increases. Building materials wear faster. And eventually, the “savings” prove costly.

Cutting Corners on Hiring: The Most Expensive Mistake of All

Of all the corners a cleaning company can cut, the most dangerous is in the hiring process.

Commercial cleaning is detail-driven work. A cleaner’s greatest tool is their eyes.

If a cleaner sees dust on a file cabinet, buildup around a faucet, fingerprints on a glass door, or debris in the corner of a restroom, chances are the customer will notice it too.

Professional cleaners don’t simply complete a checklist. They bring awareness, pride, and attentiveness to their work.

But more than skill or experience, the most important attribute is care.

You can train someone on equipment. You can teach product knowledge. But you cannot train someone to genuinely care.

When companies hire based only on speed or availability, results become inconsistent. Turnover increases. Accountability decreases. And safety risks rise.

Cleanliness directly impacts health and productivity. As one industry publication states:

“A clean workspace is essential for promoting employee productivity, ensuring the health and safety of workers, and creating a positive impression for clients and customers.”
https://insidethenation.com/the-importance-of-professional-commercial-cleaning-for-your-business/

And first impressions matter:

“A clean workspace reflects positively on your business and creates a good impression on clients and visitors.”
https://globalind.com/the-importance-of-professional-commercial-cleaning-services-for-your-business/

Commercial cleaners work in sensitive environments — offices, medical facilities, schools, and institutions. Trust matters.

At Personal Touch Service Solutions, our longevity in the Greater Peoria area is built on hiring people who care. Skill can be trained. Efficiency improves with experience. But integrity and pride in workmanship are foundational.

Why Quality Cleaning Protects Your Business

Commercial cleaning is often treated as just another budget line item. Something routine and behind the scenes.

But it plays a direct role in how your business is experienced every single day.

A clean building communicates professionalism. It tells employees they are valued. It reassures customers they are safe. It supports health, productivity, and morale.

The best cleaning companies aren’t simply selling cleaning services — they are providing peace of mind and long-term protection.

The True Value of a Professional Cleaning Partner

When reviewing cleaning bids, look beyond price alone.

• • Are professional-grade products being used?
  • How much time is truly allotted for the work?
  • What does the hiring and training process look like?
  • How is quality monitored?
  • Is the company structured for long-term consistency?

The lowest bid is often low for a reason. While it may look appealing on paper, it can lead to hidden costs through missed details, complaints, employee dissatisfaction, and corrective services later.

Professional cleaning is an investment in your building, your people, and your reputation.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Pay Twice for the Same Work

Cutting corners may save money in the short term, but it almost always costs more in the long term.

For 37 years, Personal Touch Service Solutions has provided professional commercial cleaning services throughout Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, and Washington. Our reputation across the Greater Peoria area has been built on quality, integrity, and thoughtful execution.

We believe in using hospital-grade disinfectants.
We believe in allowing adequate labor time for thorough cleaning.
We believe in hiring individuals who genuinely care.

Because in the end, the detail is the difference.

If you’re searching for a trusted commercial cleaning company in Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, or Washington, we would be honored to speak with you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and discover what consistent, professional cleaning should look like.

5 FAQs, Commercial Cleaning Services

• Why is the lowest bid risky for commercial cleaning services?

Low bids often depend on fewer labor hours, cheaper chemicals, or weak training. You see the cost later through missed details, higher turnover, and extra corrective work.

• What supplies should a professional cleaning provider use?

They should use professional grade products, including EPA registered disinfectants when needed. They should also use floor care products that protect finishes and avoid residue buildup.

• How do reduced labor hours affect cleaning quality?

Rushed schedules force cleaners to skip details. Restrooms get surface level attention, high touch points get missed, and areas behind furniture stay dirty.

• Why does hiring matter so much in commercial cleaning?

Cleaning is detail driven and trust based. Poor hiring increases inconsistency and safety risks, and it reduces accountability in offices, schools, and medical settings.

• What should you check when comparing cleaning bids?

Ask what products they use, how many labor hours they plan, how they hire and train, how they inspect work, and how they handle long term consistency.