When the cheapest clean comes back to haunt you

If you’ve ever hired a cleaner for your own home, you’ll know how it goes: ask a friend, compare prices, cross your fingers and hope for the best. But managing communal areas in a residential block is an entirely different beast.

When you’re responsible for hundreds of homes, you’re not just thinking about dust and fingerprints – you’re thinking about building safety, compliance, insurance, and resident satisfaction. A flickering light or faulty fire door can spark more than inconvenience; it can ignite a chain of problems that send service charges up in smoke. A little dramatic, perhaps but it’s that time of year!

Cleaning and caretaking — the perfect double act

At Cledor, we don’t draw a line between cleaning and caretaking – they’re two sides of the same (polished) coin.

One keeps the building looking its best; the other keeps it running at its best. Together, they prevent the kind of surprises nobody wants: blocked risers, broken closers or bin rooms that could double as haunted houses.

Our teams do it all – from spotless cleaning and litter-picking to ‘flick tests’ and flagging maintenance issues – always keeping residents, contractors and managing agents in the know. It’s a joined-up approach that keeps buildings gleaming and compliant, not ghoulish and neglected. Spotless floors mean little if your emergency lights look like candlelight.

False economy of the cheapest quote

We see it every year - the bargain-basement cleaning quote that promises the world and delivers a pumpkin.

The illusion of “same job, lower price” quickly fades when you discover what’s missing: training, supervision, vetting and accountability. These invisible extras are what prevent the little ghosts of negligence from haunting your inbox later.

We’ve encountered it all – mops stored in electrical risers (truly hair-raising), fire doors wedged open, and staff who think COSHH is something you whisper when you hear creaking footsteps. It’s not mischief – it’s mismanagement.

“We see it every year - the bargain-basement cleaning quote that promises the world and delivers a pumpkin.”

That’s why Cledor invests in RoSPA-approved, CPD-accredited e-learning, ensuring every cleaner and caretaker understands their role in building safety, fire awareness and resident engagement.

It’s not about polishing faster;  it’s about being ready when the alarm panel flashes red.

Smart training sparks real results

Our staff don’t just clean – they anticipate. They’re trained to spot the flicker before the flame – the door that won’t quite close, the faint scent of damp behind a wall, the cable ready to throw its own little firework display.

They’re also IT-literate, using systems like Dwellant and Fixflo to log issues in real time, so nothing mysterious is left lurking in the shadows.

This proactive approach means small sparks never turn into bonfires.

More than “eyes and ears” 

Everyone in property management loves to say their on-site staff are the “eyes and ears” of the development. It’s a phrase that’s been done to death.

At Cledor, we prefer our people to bring the brains too.

Our teams don’t just observe problems; they solve them. When an obstruction appears in a corridor, they remove it. When a resident looks worried, they stop, listen and help.

It’s the difference between standing around like an extra in a horror film and taking centre stage in a well-run building.

“Everyone in property management loves to say their on-site staff are the “eyes and ears” of the development. It’s a phrase that’s been done to death.”

The personal touch (and a few ghost stories)

I’ve spent years chasing dust and disorder. Early in my high-end hotel career, I walked into a gleaming lobby and noticed something odd: the cleaner was using the same cloth for mirrors and handrails. “Efficient,” he said. “Unhygienic,” I replied. 

Moments like that stay with you. They remind me why Cledor exists: because the small things matter. And because prevention – much like fire safety – is better than resurrection.

The real return on investment

It’s easy to measure cleaning in hours or cloths; harder to measure it in peace of mind. But the real value shows up in:

• Safer, more compliant buildings

• Fewer slips and trips

• Quicker fault reporting and repair turnaround

• Better morale among staff and residents

As I like to say: “Our best cleaners are the ones you never have to phone.”

A final polish before the fireworks

Choosing the right cleaning or caretaking partner isn’t just about cutting costs – it’s about keeping your development safe, bright and ready for whatever sparks fly next.

Because anyone can mop a floor, but not everyone can protect an asset.

And when the bonfires fade and the cobwebs are cleared, what really shines is the quiet assurance that everything – and everyone – is in safe hands.

🎃 Nick Regnier, Founder and Managing Director, Cledor 🦇

(I’m here to exorcise your cleaning demons)

E: nick@cledor.co.uk