What should I ask about the key and alarm code handling at a janitorial company?

Access is the real asset in this trade, and the real risk. Ask for the master list of sites with the keys, fobs and alarm codes tied to each, and who currently carries them. Then compare the list with the staff roster. Every person holding access should be someone you can name, and every site should show a clear chain from the client to the crew.

Next, ask about the exits. When a cleaner quits or is let go, how fast are the keys collected and codes changed? Ask for a real example. Find out whether codes are shared among crew members or unique, because shared codes make it impossible to say who was inside after an incident.

Finally, ask about the clients’ side. Do contracts or site instructions say how access is controlled? Has there ever been a lost key, a false alarm or a theft claim, and how was it handled? Ask whether the insurance coverage fits that exposure, and let the insurer or your lawyer confirm it. Plan for the changeover day, when clients may want codes reset. Ask too how clients are told when access changes.

Key takeaways

• Get the full list of who holds access to which client site.
• Ask for a recent example of how keys were recovered when someone left.
• Prefer unique codes over shared ones, so incidents can be traced.
• Raise the insurance question with a professional.