We've rebranded! First Coast Cleaners is now Office-So-Clean by Deborah McGeorge.
But one thing hasn’t changed – our extraordinary service.
ABOUT US
COMPETENT PROFESSIONALS WITH OVER 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
We have been personally operating FIRST COAST CLEANERS for over 35 years, so we know the most efficient, professional way to properly handle the complexities of important cleaning matters. As experienced professionals, we know our job and work independently in an efficient manner. You never have to micro-manage us.
[An amateur will know just the basics, and this lack of in-depth knowledge of the industry can lead to substandard work and permanent damage of your equipment, floors, surfaces, etc.]
OWNER OPERATED BY HUSBAND-AND-WIFE TEAM WITH NO EMPLOYEES
We personally do all the cleaning ourselves. The vast majority of other cleaning companies have their employees doing the work since most jobs are too big for one person to regularly handle alone … and that means you would have no control over who is in regularly in your building after hours. And if the company is a janitorial franchise, this issue is of even greater concern.
First Coast Cleaners is NOT a franchise ... it is our own company started from scratch and built brick-by-brick by our own four hands by personally visiting local businesses to introduce ourselves and our services, and our company has been worked by our own four hands for over 35 years. Exercise extreme caution if you're approached by a janitorial service franchise company. We recommend doing a Google search on the name of the franchise plus the word "scam" (for example: Jani-King scam) if you're thinking about hiring one.
Among the issues we have heard from several St. Augustine business owners: franchisees purchase accounts from franchisors who place job bids for them, then a revolving door of different employees are hired to do the actual cleaning work. You never know who will be in your office after hours when your staff is not there. By contrast, we personally find and negotiate our own accounts, bid our own prices, and do the actual work. You know for certain that when you contact our office you'll be speaking directly with the two people who are cleaning your building, you will not be speaking to a secretary or a manager at a distant corporate office.
Another issue with franchises -- even the Federal Trade Commission has issued alerts regarding this -- the franchisor underbids the prices for cleaning offices in order to get accounts for its franchisee. The workers who are cleaning your office end up earning less than minimum wage. Since they are unable to continue doing so, the quality of the work degrades and then the franchisee will be raising your price over and over until they become profitable (double, and more). By contrast, the agreed-upon price when we are hired is your final price. In the 35+ years we've been operating our business, we have only done a handful of cost of living price increases, and each was minimal.
One of the reasons we can keep our prices low is that our operating expenses are low. We pay zero of the commissions, royalties and fees that franchises are burdened with, and we have none of the expenses that would be necessitated by having employees or subcontractors. And our work vehicle is an EV (100% electric car), so we don't even have gasoline expenses or other expenses normal gas vehicles do. The highest percentage possible of your janitorial dollars go toward cleaning. With so many decades of experience, we know how to successfully and efficiently run our business and we are glad to pass the savings on to you.
WE ARE NOT A FRANCHISE!
First Coast Cleaners is NOT a franchise ... it is our own company started from scratch and built brick-by-brick by our own four hands by personally visiting local businesses to introduce ourselves and our services, and our company has been worked by our own four hands for over 35 years. You should exercise extreme caution if you're approached by a janitorial service franchise company. We recommend doing a Google search on the name of the franchise plus the word "scam" (for example: Jani-King scam) if you're thinking about hiring one.
Among the issues we have heard from several St. Augustine business owners: franchisees purchase accounts from franchisors who place job bids for them, then a revolving door of different employees are hired to do the actual cleaning work. You never know who will be in your office after hours when your staff is not there. By contrast, we personally find and negotiate our own accounts, bid our own prices, and do the actual work. You know for certain that when you contact our office you'll be speaking directly with the two people who are cleaning your building, you will not be speaking to a secretary or a manager at a distant corporate office.
Another issue with franchises -- even the Federal Trade Commission has issued alerts regarding this -- the franchisor underbids the prices for cleaning offices in order to get accounts for its franchisee. The workers who are cleaning your office end up earning less than minimum wage. Since they are unable to continue doing so, the quality of the work degrades and then the franchisee will be raising your price over and over until they become profitable (double, and more). By contrast, the agreed-upon price when we are hired is your final price. In the 35+ years we've been operating our business, we have only done a handful of cost of living price increases, and each was minimal.
One of the reasons we can keep our prices low is that our operating expenses are low. We pay zero of the commissions, royalties and fees that franchises are burdened with, and we have none of the expenses that would be necessitated by having employees or subcontractors. And our work vehicle is an EV (100% electric car), so we don't even have gasoline expenses or other expenses normal gas vehicles do. The highest percentage possible of your janitorial dollars go toward cleaning. With so many decades of experience, we know how to successfully and efficiently run our business and we are glad to pass the savings on to you.
HONESTY
We are strongly committed to living by deeply-rooted principles, so you can be assured that we will never lie, directly or indirectly steal, or do anything ethically or morally improper against any person or company.
DEPENDABILITY and A COMMITTED ATTITUDE
In the 35+ years First Coast Cleaners has been in business, we have never been a “no show”. So you never have to worry that the job won’t get done! We will be here when we promise, and we have consistently proved that since 1988. In the rare event one mate is sick, the other mate handles the job. On the rare occasion that we will be out of town, arrangements are made well in advance and we’ll offer several options to ensure your satisfaction. In the even rarer event of circumstances beyond our control, we will contact you as soon as possible and make arrangements for the job to be done.
CLEAR COMMUNICATION
We have always believed that clear communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. We welcome your questions and discussions. We provide, for our files and yours, everything spelled out in writing. Each Proposal for cleaning services clearly itemizes exactly what duties will be performed for the agreed price. And our Terms of Service document clearly outlines further details such as compensation, payment, confidentiality, termination, independent contractor status, insurance, etc so there are no surprises.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS -- WE PAY OUR OWN EXPENSES, AND YOU HAVE NO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TO PAY
We use our own cleaning products and equipment, so you have no expenses to pay in order for us to do our job.
And since we are independent contractors instead of your employees, you don't have to pay any of the benefits that employees are entitled to! ...
No paid holidays
No vacation pay
No sick days pay
No worker’s comp
No overtime pay
No health insurance benefits
No dental insurance benefits
No life insurance benefits
No bonuses/incentive pay
No pension/retirement plan
No disability insurance benefits
No social security insurance payments
No medicare payments
No unemployment insurance benefits
No profit sharing benefits
No 401(k) benefits
And since you’re not paying any of those benefits, there is no paperwork to file and no cases to manage for these issues.
The economic savings and time savings for your company are a clear advantage!
$3 MILLION INSURANCE COVERAGE
Our company carries a full complement of general liability insurance for our commercial cleaning services. Our active policy provides coverage of up to $3 million (aggregate).
LOCAL ST. AUGUSTINE RESIDENTS FOR OVER 38 YEARS
We're proud to be locals! Jody has lived in St. Augustine for 45 years and Debbie for 38 years. We are grounded in our community and always nearby, so we're here when you need us. When you contact our office you'll be speaking directly with the two people who are cleaning your building, not a secretary or manager at a distant corporate office. There's no "red tape" with our service either.
And when you partner with us in this business relationship, you're supporting a local small family business. Your dollars go right back into our community and the local economy to help lift everyone up.
Our business philosophy is simple: we provide an honest, knowledgeable, straightforward approach to your cleaning needs. Our commitment is to provide quality service, on time, at affordable prices in a spirit of partnership, clear communication, and strong moral ethics. Our reputation depends upon it.
Contact our office to set up an appointment to receive a FREE building inspection to help determine if your cleaning needs are being fulfilled by your current arrangement, it will only take a few minutes. Curious what we charge and what we can offer? Why not let us create a customized plan tailored to your needs? You'll be surprised how easy and affordable our service is ... our prices simply can’t be beat -- our clients are thrilled! Read a few testimonials here.
