Individuals that take on school cleaning jobs will usually have a range of important cleaning duties. This sector is a bit different from the other cleaning niches in terms of the work that needs to be done which is more janitorial in comparison. Some of the duties include:

• Floor cleaning
• Rug shampooing
• Wall washing
• Glass cleaning
• Trash removal
• Cleaning bathrooms
• Cleaning the cafeteria after lunch
• Unlocking and locking the buildings before and after school hours

Janitorial duties often go much farther than that and can include:

• Making sure that faucets don’t leak
• Some painting
• Light carpentry
• Lawn mowing
• Minor heating & cooling tasks
• Mopping floors
• Extermination
• Snow & ice removal

Work Hours

For the most part, office buildings are cleaned after hours of operation. For many this means working in the evening. However, school cleaning jobs are a bit different and require that workers work in shifts so someone is readily available at all times. Part-time cleaning jobs usually require working in the evenings and/or weekends. The good news is that weekends are almost always free.

Other Considerations

People that decide to work cleaning schools are almost always considered to be employees rather than people who are in business for themselves. This means that there is no need to be bothered with buying insurance or supplies as they will all be supplied. Those who are hired in as janitors will have to pass other criteria as opposed to independent cleaners such as:

• Drug screening
• criminal background check
• A physical
• A minimum of a GED

Because school cleaning jobs are considered to be more permanent employment it is likely that you would be given the same perks that other school employees have such as insurance, 401K, and retirement benefits. Most janitorial jobs keep the employee in the same school or at least the same district for the duration of their employment.

When it comes to part time cleaning jobs, cleaning schools or what many call janitorial work is a good choice. The jobs are pretty basic and duties are often mundane.

Pay

School cleaning job compensation can vary considerably. Some cleaning staff, as mentioned is hired as a regular employee and they are the ones that make the least amount of money. Cleaning staff that does work on a contractual basis will likely make the most money. The national average for school janitors that are employed through the school district ranges from $20,000-$35,000 respectively.
As you can see this type of cleaning job is different from most others. Schools do not, as a rule, just hire random employees or companies to enter the school buildings because there are children involved and for safety provisions this is understandable.

A cleaning job in a school can be a rewarding career for many people, it can also be versatile and secure. If you are the type of person that likes to work at your own pace then this just might the job for you.

Insurance coverage is one of the most overlooked items in one’s business. The policy is to cover instances that may occur in the future, such as lost items, negligence in the use of chemicals, theft, damage to equipment and the like. The right coverage would be able to keep one’s risk and thus one’s premiums to a manageable level.

The basic coverage for a business includes general liability insurance, auto insurance if the business has vehicles, worker’s compensatory insurance and breakdown insurance. These coverages are most often bundled into one policy but one needs to verify with one’s agent as to the actual coverages. But the industry where one has chosen to be part of has specific risks which may not fall under the basic policy package. So in order for one to be able to perform the job engaged for, one needs to cover the following risks inherent in the cleaner business.

1) For keys. Keys are important in the business as most of the activity is done after work hours. If one the employees loses one or any of the keys provided the business, one would need to pay for the actual key, lock adjustment or even replacement of these locks. By having insurance for this, one need not worry about this.

2) For property left in one’s care and supervision. This type of insurance covers property given to the cleaner for use or left in their care and supervision. This includes rented or leased property or equipment like vacuum cleaners or industrial grade floor machines.

3) Thievery. This coverage is not the same as the insurance against the cleaner’s own employee’s theft, but if the cleaner’s employee’s negligence allows the occasion that the criminal act of theft be realized. An example would be leaving the back door unlocked and thus allowing thieves to gain unlawful entry.

4) Against pollution. As a cleaning company, one works with an array of chemicals used to clean the work site. Pollution may occur when there is accidental spillage or mishandling of these volatile chemicals.

5) Business losses. The risk insured against in this type of coverage is sudden business loss or downturns that were unforeseen. A prime example is the sudden closure of business or bankruptcy of the cleaner’s biggest client making the bottom line go to the red. Having this insurance allows one to be financially supported until the business income returns to normal.

6) Non-cleaning materials. This coverage is for the office equipment of the cleaners. This may just be a rider if one works out of one’s home.

So there are some risks associated with the cleaning business which is not included in a typical business insurance policy coverage. The risks may be a lot more since one performs a highly specialized service, one small act may ruin a small business such as this one financially. It would be best to discuss these risks with an insurance expert or specialist so one may be able to adequately prepare for them.

See: How to start a cleaning service

When in business, one really has to obtain the right amount of coverage to be amply protected. There are several types of coverages for the business, even if it is for yard work for homes. Having the right insurance allows one to be protected as well as providing security for the client. One can easily procure insurance and have the premiums calculated for the coverage. With the plenty of insurance providers, one can easily reach out to brokers for the right coverage.

The first type of coverage is general liability insurance or more known as property liability insurance. This allows for protection from accidental loss or breakage of items. This also covers injuries related to or in line with the profession of cleaning. The factors for consideration include the number of employees and the track record for the company’s safety. But the cleaning business includes some coverage for high risk activities such as window cleaning, which drives up the cost of the insurance. The type of activity done determines the risk which in turn is translated into premiums. This protects the business from losses due to accidents, losses or breakage while in the performance of the work. But this is not a blank check as the more claims are filed the higher the renewing premium one is charged with.

Another insurance type useful in the business is the bonding insurance. This type of insurance protects one against the act of one against the other. A bond is the offer by the insured to the client that the services to be rendered are in good form. If the service is unsatisfactory, then the client can act against the bond to recover costs to make good on the original service. Another type is the fidelity bond. There is blanket bond to cover all the staff and if any shenanigans are performed by them. Doing research would help apprise one of the business of insurance and to undertake the proper one at one’s cost. The risk being insured is the compliance with the contract. Non-compliance makes one liable for damages which in turn can be charged against the insurance. Deviations include time delays, criminal acts or failure to complete services which makes the client well aware that there are options to recoup losses sustained because of the incompetence or ineptness of the service.

Insurance for a cleaning business is very important to protect one’s business and one’s client. It not only protects the owner and the staff, hand in hand with the client, for any mishaps or accidents that may happen. It also allows for the protection against injuries and any other losses. This small investment would surely help one build the trust and confidence of the client and make one capable and complacent of the work to be done. But as said beforehand, this is not a free pass to do anything because the insurance company, in some way, would get back the money they dole out when the risk insured occurs by the hand of the cleaner.

See: Start A Cleaning Service

The cleaning service industry is one of the easiest industries to get into; aside from the fact that building your own cleaning service does not require a big capital, the skills needed just include a penchant for cleaning and organizing, scheduling, and a bit of marketing and accounting. Nevertheless, since cleaning requires you or your hired employees to handle cleaning solutions and perform physical tasks, you will need to have some form of insurance to cover any liabilities you or your employees may incur.

Although you may be sure that you are trustworthy and dependable, accidents do happen and if you do not carry insurance, you may find yourself in a financial crisis even before you get the profits from your cleaning business. A house is a prime spot for unwanted incidents like falling off a ladder or getting burned by a cleaning solution. Instead of paying these on your own, get an insurer to cover medical expenses. Additionally, keep in mind that you may, in one of your cleaning appointments, damage your client’s property. Liability insurance ensures that you can pay for the ruined object without having to burn through your savings account.

Your hired employee is another matter. Sometimes, even if you conduct through background checks, you may get a person with a not so immaculate intention. If something gets stolen from your client’s home or office, and if it is proven that your cleaning crew is responsible for the item at the time of theft, then your cleaning business is liable to pay for it. Typically, you can waive the insurance of your other cleaners if they have insurance of their own. This only happens if they work for you part-time and are not on your payroll. However, if they are your direct report, then they are also your responsibility.

Most clients would understandably be very concerned when having other people in their homes or spaces. Of course, they have the right to be worried since you are handling their things. To make them more comfortable with you, it is much better that you inform them that you carry insurance for yourself and all other cleaning staff under you. This will surely impress them and allow them to relax, knowing that their homes, and everything else inside it, are in good and dependable hands.

Liability insurance depends on your chosen insurance company and your locality. Normally, insurance premiums are paid either quarterly or annually. As your business grows and you hire extra help, your insurance premiums go up. Although it may seem to be added financial baggage, note that it is well worth the money. Bonds can be bought from the insurance companies too and your responsibility is to renew it annually.

Being a responsible business owner includes recognizing your obligations toward your employees and your clients. Since you decided to be in the cleaning industry, you need to arm yourself for any possibilities of accidents that can harm you or your staff and your clients.

See: How to start a cleaning service