It is our goal to exceed the expectations of the clients we serve.
We deliver on our promises with a qualified, well-trained workforce
that listens to and executes the needs of each customer. Every
member of our team is a professional focused on producing outcomes
that result in long-term business relationships built on value,
integrity and excellence.
A Message from the Owner
My experience with the commercial cleaning industry began in
high school, when my father had the floor-cleaning contract for
four local W.T. Grant Department Stores (remember them?).
It was 1973 . . . I was 16 and this was my first exposure to
automatic floor machines. Dad was strict . . . .I had to learn
not only how to operate the machines, but also to make on-the-spot
repairs and maintain them! I learned how to strip and wax floors,
buff them (back in the days when we used buffable waxes), and
keep a nice shine on the floors without getting a wax buildup.
When the store chain dissolved, Dad left the business, but this
was my first taste of the building maintenance industry.
In 1980, I went into partnership with a high school friend. Our
first cleaning account was a 1200 square foot office in Grosse
Pointe. They had been paying their previous service (now remember
it was 1980), $89.00 per month for once-per-week service, and
we took it for that price.
The first time we cleaned we spent 12 hours there, getting into
every nook and cranny; my partner, his wife, and myself. We did
things no one would ever think to do for the price we were charging.
We quickly ran out of glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner and
clean towels and kept running to the nearby drug store for more.
We had to start using paper towels. We took down the chandelier
glass and washed it, we emptied out their boiler room and scrubbed
its floor, and we even washed the furnace! In short, we overhauled
the building. Of course we received glowing praise, but when
you calculate out what we did we made only pennies per hour.
Obviously we couldn't do this every week!
Things went uphill from there; we learned to spread out all the
little cleaning jobs that need to be done over a period of time.
We even learned how to make a small profit. The time came when
my partner went to work for a large corporation, and I elected
to continue cleaning.
As we grew, I hired help; I discovered the value of standardizing
as much of the business as possible. Regular schedules for inspections
and restocking of supplies quickly became the norm. Project work,
such as refinishing tile floors and cleaning carpets, got scheduled
months in advance. I developed standards of cleanliness for my
employees to follow. I learned how to train and motivate my employees.
I went to seminars on how to clean, and how to run a cleaning
business. I joined trade organizations. Here it is a new millennium,
and I'm still in the business. It is an industry that is constantly
presenting new challenges.
But while cleaning technology has changed in three decades, the
people challenges remain the same. You still need quality people
who are reputable, will show up every night, and will do a good
job of cleaning your building. That's where we come in, we're
The Clean Team, and we want to be your cleaning service. I know
we can keep you satisfied!
I look forward to being of service to you.
Sincerely,
John T. Terrell
President
