5 Signs Your Cleaning Team Needs Better Training

Running a successful building service contracting (BSC) business means keeping your finger on the pulse of your operation. While you're focused on landing new contracts and managing client relationships, your cleaning team's performance directly impacts your reputation and bottom line.

But how do you know when training gaps are undermining your success? Here are five clear warning signs that indicate your cleaning team needs better training—and what you can do about it.

1. Client Complaints Are Becoming More Frequent

When client complaints shift from occasional hiccups to recurring issues, it's time to take notice. Common complaints like missed areas, improper chemical usage, or inconsistent quality standards often stem from inadequate training rather than employee negligence.

What to look for:

• Repeated complaints about the same issues

• Multiple complaints from different sites about similar problems

• Clients expressing concerns about new team members' performance

The impact: Each complaint threatens client retention and forces you to spend valuable time on damage control rather than business growth.

2. Your Turnover Rate Is Higher Than Industry Standards

The commercial cleaning industry averages around 200% annual turnover, but if you're consistently above this benchmark, training issues might be driving people away.

Employees who feel unprepared or unsupported are more likely to quit, especially in their first 90 days - sometimes even on the first day!

Red flags include:

• New hires leaving within the first month

• Experienced employees citing lack of proper training as a reason for departure

• Higher turnover at specific locations or shifts

  
  

The hidden costs: High turnover means constant recruitment, onboarding, and the productivity loss that comes with inexperienced teams.

3. Workplace Incidents and Safety Issues Are on the Rise

Proper training is your first line of defense against workplace injuries and safety violations. If you're seeing an uptick in incidents, it often indicates gaps in safety protocols, equipment usage, or hazard recognition training.

Warning signs:

• Increase in worker compensation claims

• OSHA violations or safety audit failures

• Near-miss incidents becoming more common

• Improper handling or storage of cleaning chemicals

  
  

The stakes: Beyond the human cost, safety incidents can result in hefty fines, increased insurance premiums, and potential legal liability.

4. Productivity and Efficiency Are Declining

Well-trained teams work efficiently and consistently. If you notice cleaning times increasing, work quality declining, or teams struggling to meet deadlines, it may signal that your current training isn't equipping employees with the skills they need to excel.

Key indicators:

• Teams taking longer to complete familiar tasks

• Inconsistent results between different crew members

• Frequent requests for supervisory assistance

• Waste in supplies or improper equipment usage

The bottom line impact: Inefficiency directly affects your profit margins and can put contract renewals at risk.

5. You're Spending Too Much Time on Micromanagement

As a BSC owner or manager, your time should be spent on strategic growth activities, not constantly correcting basic operational issues. If you find yourself repeatedly addressing the same problems or providing hands-on guidance for routine tasks, your training program isn't doing its job.

Signs you're over-managing:

• Frequent site visits to address preventable issues

• Spending more time on problem-solving than business development

• Supervisors reporting the same training needs repeatedly

• Feeling like you can't trust teams to work independently

The Solution: Comprehensive, Consistent Training

Recognizing these signs is the first step toward building a more effective, profitable operation. The solution lies in implementing comprehensive training that reaches every team member, regardless of location or shift schedule.

What effective training looks like:

• Consistent delivery: Every employee receives the same high-quality training, whether they're at headquarters or a remote site

• Accessible format: Training that fits into busy schedules and accommodates different learning styles

• Ongoing reinforcement: Regular refresher training and updates as procedures evolve

• Measurable outcomes: Clear metrics to track training effectiveness and employee progress

Take Action Today

Don't let training gaps continue to undermine your business success. The commercial cleaning industry is competitive, and clients have high expectations. Companies that invest in proper training consistently outperform those that don't.

If you're recognizing these signs in your operation, it's time to evaluate your current training approach. Consider how a comprehensive, mobile-first training platform could help you deliver consistent, professional training to every team member, regardless of their location or schedule.

Your reputation, profitability, and team satisfaction depend on it. The question isn't whether you can afford to improve your training—it's whether you can afford not to.

Ready to transform your team's performance? Contact CleanTrainU today to learn how our mobile-first training platform can help you build a more skilled, confident, and productive cleaning workforce.