Man, choosing cleaning services felt like rocket science when my boss dumped this project on me last year. Our Westport office was getting grimier by the day – sticky floors, dusty vents, you name it. Boss chewed me out after a client pointed out coffee stains on the conference table. Needed a reliable crew, stat.

The Panicky First Steps

Googled "Best office cleaners Westport" like a madman. Pages of results popped up. Felt overwhelmed immediately. Started dialing numbers like it was my job.

• Called Agency A: Guy sounded half-asleep. Quoted $300 without even seeing our space. Sketchy.
• Tried Agency B: Nice lady, but their insurance was expired. Big nope for liability reasons.
• Got swayed by Agency C's slick website: Signed up. First clean looked okay. By week three? Trash cans overflowing again. They ghosted my complaint calls.

Getting Serious (After Wasting Money)

Threw their fancy brochure in the bin. Decided to act like a grownup. Grabbed a notebook.

Step 1: Asked every local biz owner I knew. Got three real recommendations. Added them to my shortlist.

Step 2: Called each one FOR REAL this time. Asked point-blank: "Can you prove you're bonded & insured?" Made them email copies. You wouldn't believe how many mumbled excuses.

Step 3: Scheduled onsite bids. Noticed stuff:

• Company X: Boss showed up late, barely glanced around. "Yeah we can do $195." Felt rushed.
• Company Y: Supervisor walked with me for 45 mins. Pointed out high-traffic areas needing extra focus. Asked about our staff schedules. That felt... thorough.

The Lightbulb Moment

Went full detective mode after the bids. Checked online reviews but dug deep. Ignored the obvious fake ones. Looked for patterns over years. Saw a company with consistent "showed up early" comments. Another had repeated "broke the chair" complaints. Yikes.

Emailed each shortlisted company 5 specific questions like "What happens if someone complains?". Gave ‘em 24 hours to reply. Three flaked completely. That told me everything.

What Actually Worked

Found our winner. Not the cheapest or flashiest. Got them after months of screwing up. Here’s the checklist I swear by now:

• INSIST on Proof: Insurance. Bonding. Worker Comp. Must see current documents.
• Gut Check the Bid: Did they actually LOOK at your space? Ask smart questions?
• Pressure Test Their Comms: Slow email replies = future ghosting.
• Dig Beneath Reviews: Look for specific praise/crits repeated over time.
• Demand References: Talk to real people they clean for NOW.

It took forever. Lost sleep. Wasted cash. But finally got a crew that cleans well AND actually answers the dang phone when something spills. Feels like a miracle.