Do Property Managers Check Google Reviews When Hiring Cleaners?

If you run a cleaning company and want commercial contracts, you've probably wondered whether property managers and facilities managers actually look at your Google reviews. Or whether it's all tenders, references and who you know.

The honest answer: many do look, but reviews are rarely the deciding factor on their own. Here's how commercial clients typically choose a cleaning company, where Google reviews fit, and how to get more of them.

How property managers typically choose a cleaning company

Commercial cleaning contracts are usually won through a mix of:

• Quotes or tenders, often comparing several companies
• Insurance, especially public liability and employer's liability
• Accreditations such as SafeContractor or CHAS, which some clients require before you can even quote
• References from existing clients
• A site visit and how professional you seem
• Price

Google reviews aren't on most formal checklists. But that doesn't mean they don't matter.

Where Google reviews fit in

Getting on the shortlist

Before anyone asks for a quote, someone has to find you. A property manager looking for a new cleaning company will often search "commercial cleaning [town]" and see the Map Pack first. A company with 80 reviews at 4.8 looks established. A company with 3 reviews looks like it might have started last month.

The quick background check

Even when you've been recommended, many people will look you up before they reply. If they find a 3.2 rating with complaints about missed cleans, you may never hear back. You won't know you lost the contract.

The tie-breaker

When two quotes are close on price and both companies have the right insurance and accreditations, a strong Google profile can tip the decision. It's a visible sign that lots of people trust you.

The problem: commercial clients rarely leave reviews

Here's the catch. Property managers and facilities managers don't often leave Google reviews for their contractors. They're busy, they deal with lots of suppliers, and their company may have rules about public endorsements.

So most cleaning companies get the bulk of their Google reviews from domestic clients. That's fine. A property manager checking you out doesn't mind whether a review came from a homeowner or an office. They want to see that you're reliable, honest and good at the job.

For commercial clients, ask for a reference you can share with prospective clients. If they're happy to leave a Google review as well, that's a bonus.

How cleaning companies can get more Google reviews

Regular domestic clients: ask once, early

For weekly or fortnightly cleans, ask after the first few visits, once the client has seen you're reliable. Then don't ask again. One review per client is plenty.

"Hi Helen, thanks for having us these last few weeks. If you're happy with the cleaning, a Google review would really help us: [link]"

End of tenancy cleans: ask once they've passed inspection

End of tenancy clients care about one thing: getting their deposit back. They're happiest once the inventory check has gone well. Ask then, and the review will often mention it, which is exactly what the next tenant searching for a cleaner wants to read.

One-off deep cleans

Ask the same day, a few hours after you finish. The client is enjoying a spotless home and the difference is obvious.

Make it one tap

Always include your direct Google review link. If you haven't got it, here's how to find your Google review link.

Make your profile work for commercial clients too

• List commercial services (offices, communal areas, end of tenancy) in your Business Profile, not just domestic cleaning
• Mention your insurance and accreditations in your description
• Add photos of your team in uniform, your vans and before-and-after shots
• Reply to every review, professionally. Property managers read replies to see how you handle complaints

Handling complaints

Cleaning companies get more "you missed a bit" reviews than most businesses. A calm reply that offers to put it right reassures every future client reading it:

"Thanks for letting us know, Mark. I'm sorry the kitchen wasn't up to our usual standard. I'll speak to the team, and we'd like to come back and put it right at no charge. Please call me on [number]."

For more wording, see our review reply templates.

What not to do

• Don't offer a free clean in exchange for a review. Incentives break Google's rules.
• Don't ask your cleaners to review the company. Staff reviews count as a conflict of interest.
• Don't text every client at once. A sudden burst of reviews can trigger Google's spam filters.

The bottom line

Property managers may not have Google reviews on their checklist, but many will look you up. A strong profile gets you on the shortlist and helps you win when quotes are close. Build it with reviews from your domestic clients, and use references for commercial ones.