Get Quotes from Top Cleaning Services in San Diego, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Cleaning Service in San Diego?

While San Diego does not issue business licenses to cleaning service firms operating within its borders, they are mandatorily required to obtain a business tax certificate no later than 15 days after the commencement of business operations. Operating a cleaning service firm without a valid business tax certificate in San Diego may attract a surcharge of $68 if the business has less than 12 employees and $250 if the business has up to 13 employees or more. To obtain a business tax certificate, cleaning service firms are required to apply with the San Diego's Office of the City Treasurer. Applicants can file their applications online, via mail, and in person.

Applicants who wish to apply online must first create a user profile with their preferred username and password, then fill out the required information and pay the applicable application fee using a credit card, ACH checking account, or ACH savings account. Applicants who do not wish to complete their application online can also do so by sending a completed business tax application form to:

Note that mail applications are accompanied by a check of $38 made payable to the City Treasurer.

Likewise, applicants who do not wish to submit their business tax application form via mail can visit the Office of the City Treasurer in person. However, applicants who wish to submit their application in person must first schedule an appointment with the Office of the City Treasurer. After scheduling an appointment, applicants can now proceed to the Office of the City Treasurer at:

Note that applicants must provide accurate information about the business structure, business ownership, business activity, business name, address, and Federal Tax Identification Number, regardless of the method they employ to apply for a business tax certificate. Call (619) 615-1500 for more information on the requirements and procedures for getting a business tax certificate.

In addition to meeting the requirements for getting a business tax certificate, cleaning service firms in San Diego are also required to self-certify that the business activity is permitted in the zone where the business location is situated. This is especially crucial because San Diego will not accept a business address that does not include a street number, street name, suite number, and, where appropriate, a city zip code.

Cleaning service firms may use either the open counter portal or the city's official zoning map to self-certify that the business activity is permitted in the zone where the business is located. Call the city's Development Services Department at (629) 446-5000 for more information concerning zoning.

In addition to meeting the zoning requirements and getting a business tax certificate, cleaning service firms who wish to store and handle hazardous chemicals must ensure that these substances are reviewed and approved by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. For more information concerning the review process, call (615) 533-4300.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Cleaning Services in San Diego?

The average hourly rate for cleaning services in San Diego is $17.67. However, based on a variety of factors, such as the size of the home or facility that needs cleaning, the current condition of the area that needs cleaning, and the type of cleaning that the client requires, cleaning service firms and cleaning professionals may charge more than the projected amount per hour.

As such, it is good to have a general idea about the type of cleaning project you want before signing an agreement with a cleaning service firm. One of the easiest ways to get useful information about the cleaning project you want to carry out is by asking at least three different cleaning service firms to submit work estimates for your project. However, you must ensure that each work estimate contains the type of work to be done, the cost of materials needed to complete the work, and the amount of time it will take to complete the work.

Obtaining and comparing estimates from different cleaning service firms provides you with a better understanding of what your project entails and enables you to pay a fair price for the project you want to carry out.

Furthermore, you should also discuss the billing structure that the cleaning service firm will adopt during the project. This will also assist you in determining whether the cleaning service firm is charging you a responsible price. A cleaning service firm in San Diego earns an average wage of $36,760 annually. Listed below is the cost comparison of the average hourly wages of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance industry against those of workers in the rest of California State and five other major cities in the country:

What Types of Cleaning Services Do You Offer?

San Diego-based cleaning service firms can provide janitorial services in your home, office, and any public space. Interested persons can either hire a cleaning service firm on a one-time basis or make a recurring cleaning service agreement with the firm. Regardless of how you want the cleaning service to be, keep in mind that San Diego cleaning service firms offer a variety of cleaning services, including regular room or whole apartment cleanings, end-of-tenancy cleaning, and deep cleaning.

However, before hiring any cleaning services near you, make sure that the cleaning service firm specializes in providing the type of services you require. Hiring a cleaning service firm specializing in providing the services you need can help you avoid several liabilities that may result from using inappropriate or unhealthy products, improper handling of cleaning tools, and failure to do the work thoroughly.

You may find out if a cleaning service firm specializes in providing the type of cleaning service you require by asking about their years of practice and obtaining proof of similar jobs they did in the past. Once you have verified that the cleaning service firm can manage your project, the next step is to get a written contract for the work.

This will assist you in determining what the cleaning service firm is expected to do and what the cleaning project will cost you. Listed below are cost estimates for common San Diego cleaning services:

Do You Comply With San Diego's COVID-19 Regulations?

San Diego County has registered more than 747,174 cases and over 5,138 COVID-related deaths since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the area in February 2020. According to the county's official numbers, only 0.7% of all cases resulted in death, indicating that COVID-related mortality in the area is low when compared to other counties in the state.

The low COVID-19 mortality rate is due to the fact that over 2.7 million people in San Diego have been vaccinated. In addition to vaccination, each city in the county, including San Diego, is ensuring that residents adhere to COVID-19 guidelines to keep the rate of infection and COVID-related mortality at a minimum. City officials have asked residents to maintain good hygiene at home and in public spaces, while residents who are yet to be vaccinated are additionally required to wear face masks at all times. Residents are also urged to encourage their employers, such as cleaning providers, to follow the city's COVID-19 rules while doing their duties.

Making sure that the cleaning services you hire adhere to the city's COVID-19 guidelines can help you achieve the greatest cleaning results while avoiding virus exposure for you and your family. Call 211 or text COSD COVID-19 at 468-311.

Do You Provide Commercial Cleaning Services for Non-Residential Buildings in San Diego?

Despite the fact that some cleaning service firms in San Diego offer different types of cleaning services, most specialize in either residential or commercial cleaning. Residential cleaning is generally performed within an apartment, and it includes cleaning floors, bedrooms, and bathrooms. On the other hand, commercial cleaning involves any janitorial activity performed in a workshop, office, industrial facility, or sports facility. Although San Diego does not need residential or commercial cleaners to obtain a professional license, cleaning service firms operating in the city are expected to follow the city's business regulations.

Some of these regulations include obtaining a tax certificate from San Diego's Office of the City Treasurer and proving that the business activity is permitted in the zone where the business office is situated. Interested persons can call (619) 615-1500 for more information on the requirements and procedures for getting a business tax certificate.

Residents of San Diego are advised always to ask if the cleaning service firm they want to hire has met the applicable business regulations. Ensuring that the business has met these regulations means that you are hiring a law-abiding firm and a firm that is eligible to do business in the city. You may also find out whether the individual has completed any training or certification exam relating to the type of service you require. You can achieve this by asking the professionals to provide relevant certifications before finalizing any agreement with them.

Do You Engage Unionized Cleaners for Non-Residential Buildings in San Diego?

Cleaning service firms in San Diego may choose to join a local labor union like the local Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for a variety of reasons. These include higher wages, better health insurance, occupational safety and health, and fair treatment.

Hiring an SEIU-affiliated cleaning service firm frequently leads to standardized and quality services. However, you may be subjected to union pressure that could affect the project. While on the job, local SEIU ensures that its members are treated with dignity and respect, and clients who refuse to respect their employees may be sanctioned.

Residents of San Diego are advised to find out the local regulations that apply to retaining the services of SEIU or any other union members in their area, as this can help them avoid complications that could disrupt the work.

Do You Offer COVID-19 Disinfecting Services in San Diego?

Maintaining a clean atmosphere allows you to breathe clean, healthy air while also reducing your chances of contracting the coronavirus. One of the simplest ways to keep a clean environment is to hire cleaning professionals to clean and disinfect your homes and businesses regularly.

Cleaning professionals in San Diego provide several COVID-19-related services while following the city's COVID-19 guidelines and the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency's Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance (EPA). Some of these requirements include:

• Mandatory use of face masks and hand gloves while working
• Identifying and cleaning areas that were previously occupied by infected persons
• Deep cleaning of high-touch surfaces like bed frames, door knobs, moveable lamps, light switches, desks, and phones
• Making sure that poorly ventilated areas are cleaned thoroughly
• Using an EPA-approved disinfectant that is effective against COVID-19
• Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning and using disinfectants

Before you hire a cleaning service firm in San Diego, it is important to ask if they are familiar with the city's COVID-19 guidelines and the EPA Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance. This is particularly important to protect yourself and your family from exposure to the virus. You can find out if the cleaning service firm adheres to the city's COVID-19 guidelines and the EPA Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance by reaching out to previous clients of the firm.

Note that reputable cleaning services will not hesitate to provide a list of references you can contact to find out whether the firm adheres to the city's COVID-19 guidelines and EPA Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance. Call 211 for quarries concerning the city's COVID-related guidelines and updates.

What Cleaning Supplies Do You Use?

Cleaning services in San Diego utilize different cleaning solutions depending on the object to be cleaned, the type of dirt to be cleaned, and the cleaning method. Professional cleaners understand that each cleaning task requires a cleaning solution that not only removes stains but also keeps the object or surface to be cleaned intact.

The following are some common cleaning solutions for different cleaning needs:

• Detergents
• Degreasers
• Abrasive
• Acids

Cleaning services often use detergents in residential and commercial kitchens. These cleaning solutions work best for removing grease and grime from kitchen utensils because they break up dirt and make it easier to wash. Conversely, degreasers are used by cleaning services to dissolve grease, oil, wax, and other water-insoluble stains. These cleaning solutions work best for metal surfaces like oven tops and counters. Abrasives work best for removing a large stain from a hard surface. These types of cleaning solutions remove stains by rubbing, scrubbing, or scraping.

Acids, on the other hand, are typically used to remove mineral deposits as well as rust from surfaces. These types of cleaning solution is used to remove discoloration from some metals, such as bronze, brass, and aluminum. By applying any of the aforementioned cleaning solutions appropriately, cleaning services in San Diego can get the best cleaning results. However, besides using any of the aforementioned cleaning solutions, residents of San Diego must understand that some items and surfaces additionally require sanitizers and disinfectants after cleaning.

Cleaning services may use quaternary ammonia, chlorine/bleach, and iodine to remove bacteria and fungi from objects and surfaces. Similarly, disinfectants can kill germs for air conditioners, kitchen utensils, and sinks. However, you must always ensure that your cleaning services use disinfectants approved by the EPA.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Cleaners in San Diego?

San Diego has no mandatory specific insurance requirements for cleaning services. However, like every other business in California, cleaning services must carry Workers' Compensation Insurance if they have employees and commercial auto insurance if they have a work truck.

Furthermore, cleaning services may also maintain general liability insurance and professional insurance to protect their clients from financial liabilities that may arise from work-related injuries and property damage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, building cleaning and maintenance industries recorded approximately 307 fatal injuries and 64,790 nonfatal injuries in 2020.

As a result, it is critical to check that the cleaning services you are considering using are covered by insurance to prevent being held liable for any work-related accidents or injuries that occur during your cleaning operation. You can confirm if the cleaning services are insured by asking for insurance certificates and contacting the insurance company that issued the certificate.