Commercial Cleaning in Kelowna The Questions You Should Ask Before You Sign Anything
A practical checklist to avoid cheap quotes that create expensive problems.
If you are hiring commercial cleaning in Kelowna, you are probably comparing quotes right now. And you have likely seen a price that looks almost too good to be true.
Sometimes that is innocent. The scope is smaller. The hours are fewer. The tasks are trimmed back.
Other times, the low number comes from cutting corners you cannot see. And that is where things get messy for workers, for service quality, and for you.
A recent Castanet article shared one local example where a Kelowna area cleaning business was ordered to pay back wages and penalties totalling more than sixteen thousand dollars after an employment standards decision found the workers were employees rather than independent contractors.
Hard read. Important reminder.
At Good Sorts, we are not the cheapest option, and we are not trying to be. We are here to deliver consistent results with a properly trained team, fair employment practices, and the right coverage in place. That is how you protect your building and your reputation.
The quick answer.
Before you hire a janitorial provider, make sure they can clearly answer these four questions:
- Are the cleaners employees or legitimate independent contractors
- Are they paid properly in line with BC employment standards
- Do they have the legal right to work in Canada
- Do they have valid insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage
If they cannot answer those clearly, the low price is not a deal. It’s a risk.
Why do some commercial cleaning quotes come in so low?
Commercial cleaning is labour-heavy. People and time are the cost. So when a quote is far below the rest, one of these is usually true:
1. The scope is smaller than it looks
Maybe the quote excludes bathrooms, touchpoint disinfection, supply restocking, periodic detail work, or proper floor care.
2. The hours are not real
The tasks listed might be possible, but not at the time allocated.
3. The business is cutting corners on compliance
This is where you see worker misclassification, wage underpayment, or unclear coverage. BC Employment Standards is clear that the Employment Standards Act applies to employees and does not apply to independent contractors.
If the foundation is shaky, service becomes shaky. That is when you get missed shifts, constant turnover, and ongoing quality issues that your team ends up managing.
The Good Sorts due diligence checklist.
Seven questions that reveal whether a cleaning provider is built to last
You do not need to be intense about this. Ask calmly. A reputable provider will welcome it.
1. Who will actually be cleaning my building, and who employs them
Look for a direct answer.
If the company hires and manages the cleaners, they should say so. If they use contractors, they should explain how they ensure those contractors are truly independent and properly covered.
If you want a solid reference point, the CRA outlines key factors that help distinguish employed from self-employed relationships, including control, tools, chance of profit, and risk of loss.
2. How do you train your team and set expectations
Ask what onboarding looks like. Ask how checklists are used. Ask what happens when standards slip.
If the answer is vague, you will end up being the quality control.
3. What does quality assurance look like after the first month
Many services start strong and fade. Ask how inspections are done, how issues are tracked, and how you will be kept in the loop.
4. Are your workers paid properly in line with BC employment standards
You are not asking to see payroll. You are asking if the business operates responsibly.
If they cannot confidently say yes, that is your sign.
5. Can you provide a certificate of insurance
This should be easy. No proof, no go.
6. Are you registered with WorkSafeBC and is your team covered
7. What is your plan when someone calls in sick or leaves
This is the real test. Consistency requires backup coverage and a clear process. If the answer is basically “we will try” you will feel the gaps later.
Red flags that the low price is actually a hidden risk.
If you notice a few of these together, pause and ask more questions.
- Vague answers about who employs the cleaners
- No certificate of insurance
- Confusion or avoidance around WorkSafeBC coverage
- A quote that is far below the market with no clear scope difference
- Everyone is called a contractor, but the company controls everything
- Constant turnover and new faces every visit
- No quality checks, no reporting, no accountability
If the number feels too good to be true, trust that instinct. It usually is.
What you can reasonably ask for.
You do not need a mountain of paperwork. These basics are fair:
- Certificate of insurance
- WorkSafeBC registration confirmation or a clear explanation if exempt
- A simple statement on worker classification, employees or subcontractors
- A short overview of onboarding, training, and quality assurance
A good provider will not be offended. They will respect that you are taking your duty of care seriously.
Why Good Sorts takes this seriously.
We have taken over plenty of properties and found situations that simply do not stack up. Wage underpayment. Workers labelled as subcontractors who clearly are not. Stories that might look fine on a quote, but fall apart the moment you ask a couple of basic questions.
And here is the thing. It hurts everyone.
It hurts workers because it is unfair and unstable. It hurts clients because the service suffers. It hurts the industry because it turns into a race to the bottom instead of a standard we can all be proud of.
We are trying to build a better benchmark in the Okanagan. One where:
- People are treated well and paid properly
- Clients get consistent service they can rely on
- Property teams are not stuck babysitting vendors
- The price reflects real, compliant work, not shortcuts
You deserve a cleaning partner you can trust. Not just a number on a page.
Price matters. But how that price is achieved matters more.
Ask questions. Do your diligence.
FAQ
How do I choose a commercial cleaning company
Choose a provider that can clearly explain who employs the cleaners, provide proof of insurance, confirm WorkSafeBC coverage, and describe a real quality assurance process. If they cannot, keep looking.
Why are some janitorial quotes so much cheaper
Sometimes the scope is smaller, fewer hours or fewer tasks. Other times the savings come from shortcuts like misclassification, wage underpayment, or lack of proper coverage, and the cost shows up later as service issues or risk.
What is the difference between an employee and an independent contractor
The difference is the real working relationship. Who controls the work, who sets expectations, who provides training and direction, and how integrated the worker is in the business all matter. A label in a contract does not automatically make someone a contractor.
Do commercial cleaning companies need WorkSafeBC coverage
In many cases, yes. It is a key part of managing risk for both the employer and the client site. If a provider is vague about coverage, treat that as a serious red flag.
Ready to pressure test a quote?
If you are looking for commercial cleaning in Kelowna or the Okanagan and you want a quote that is clear, compliant, and built for consistency, we would love to help.
Book a site walkthrough with Good Sorts Property Services. We will build a scope that actually matches your building, confirm the service schedule, and show you exactly how we maintain standards over time.
If you already have a quote from another provider and something feels off, send it through. We are happy to sanity check the scope and help you compare apples to apples.
