In the past, facility maintenance budgeting was a predictable exercise. You reviewed last year’s numbers, adjusted for modest increases, and moved forward. Today, this approach to budgeting no longer holds up. Labor volatility, supply cost fluctuations, and higher expectations around cleanliness and safety have changed the process. Building service contractors and franchise owners working closely with facility managers and unit franchisees have noticed that the most effective budgets are built differently. These budgets are more flexible, more data-driven, and more closely tied to operational realities inside each facility. Consider needs over numbers One of the biggest budgeting mistakes is starting with a number instead of a need. A budget should reflect how facility residents use the building. A medical office with high patient turnover will have very different requirements than a corporate office with hybrid schedules. A distribution center operating around the clock faces wear and tear that a smaller administrative space may never experience. Traffic patterns, occupancy levels, and industry regulations all influence what “clean” and “well-maintained” truly mean. Walk the facility. Review service logs. Talk with the cleaning crew. When you build a budget around real conditions, it becomes far more accurate and defensible. Account for labor Labor remains the most significant and variable expense in facility maintenance. Wage pressure, competition for entry-level workers, and turnover all impact service delivery. A strong budget does not treat labor as a fixed line item. It builds in room for adjustment. This may include contingency funds for wage increases, overtime during peak periods, or additional staffing for high-demand seasons. The most effective budgets are not created in isolation. They’re developed through collaboration between facility managers and service partners to understand staffing models. Franchise owners support both sides, working with unit franchisees to ensure they can deliver services efficiently and with clients to align expectations with resources and realistic costs. This communication leads to improved service quality and fewer budget surprises. Build in preventive maintenance Reactive spending is one of the fastest ways to derail a budget. Waiting until flooring becomes worn or systems break almost always leads to higher costs. Make preventive maintenance a core component of any 2027 budget. Include scheduled floor care, routine deep cleaning, and periodic services that extend the life of assets. For example, investing in regularly scheduled carpet extraction services may seem like an added expense, but it significantly reduces the need for premature carpet replacement. Over time, that approach protects both the facility and the budget. Plan for add-on services One of the most overlooked aspects of budgeting is planning for services that fall outside the daily scope of work. Disinfection treatments during flu season, post event cleanup, pressure washing, and window cleaning are all common needs that facilities often address on the fly. When these services are not budgeted in advance, they become unexpected costs. A better approach is to identify likely add-on services early and allocate funds accordingly. This creates predictability and allows service providers to schedule work more efficiently. Use data for decisions Historical data is one of the most valuable tools in budgeting, but you must use it thoughtfully. Look beyond total spend. Analyze where costs increased and why. Identify patterns in service requests, seasonal spikes, and recurring issues. This level of detail helps refine future allocations. Technology platforms and service reports can provide insights that were previously not easily accessible. When used correctly, they turn budgeting into a proactive process rather than a reactive one. Incorporate flexibility If the past few years have shown anything, it’s that conditions can change quickly. A rigid budget is more likely to fail when unexpected events arise. Flexibility can take several forms. Some facility managers set aside a contingency percentage for unplanned needs. Others structure contracts to allow for adjustments based on changes in occupancy or usage. The goal is not to predict every scenario. It’s to create a framework that can adapt without disrupting operations. Budget smarter Creating a facility maintenance budget is not about cutting costs. It’s about making informed decisions that balance performance, longevity, and financial responsibility. When budgets are built around real facility needs, supported by data, and flexible enough to adapt, they become a tool for operational success. And in today’s environment, that kind of planning is not optional—it’s essential.
The option of renting instead of purchasing cleaning equipment can offer flexibility to in-house service providers (ISPs) and building service contractors (BSCs) who are challenged with establishing and maintaining efficient cleaning practices while also managing overall operating expenses. Long-term rental solutions can help cleaning and maintenance professionals avoid an ownership model that may not serve their needs or fit their budget. As renting is a fixed monthly cost, it is often easier to manage than a large capital expenditure. Renting also frees up money for emergency expenses, such as a new air conditioning unit in an ISPS’s facility or additional trucks for a BSC’s fleet. Long-term rental details Cleaning operations that require a high level of service and uptime, or that have tight deadlines, are well suited for long-term rentals. Long-term rental solution plans typically range from four to 36 months, depending on the provider or contractor’s needs. Rental solutions providers typically offer discounted rates for longer rental plans, with options to end the agreement early if the equipment is needed for less time than expected. This opt-out involves a discussion with the rental company to pro-rate the agreement in a manner that is agreeable to both parties. Available equipment includes ride-on and walk-behind scrubbers and sweepers, as well as more sophisticated solutions like autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that operate as a “cobot” alongside cleaning staff, allowing them to take on more detailed-orientated tasks like cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas. Cleaning drones for facility exteriors are also growing in popularity as a rental option, as are large outdoor sweepers for parking areas and walkways. This equipment tends to be expensive, making the option of long-term rental more appealing. While the financial factors may be the primary reason for looking into long-term rental, there are a host of additional benefits. Access to new technology: Rental companies keep a close eye on the latest solutions and can regularly add new equipment to their fleet. This variety allows renters to try new technologies without the risk of making an investment. In addition, access to the latest, highest quality equipment also increases a cleaning organization’s reliability, leading to improved uptime. Flexibility: Long-term rentals provide the flexibility to increase or decrease the amount of equipment within the rental agreement should the scope of work change. There is also flexibility in the type of equipment customers can rent as they are not tied to one serial number throughout the life of that rental. If a piece of equipment no longer suits their needs, or they need a larger scrubber or sweeper, they have the option to make changes. Rental clients can also add equipment to their cleaning program. For example, if a BSC takes on a facility with an adjacent parking garage that is a significant source of dirt brought into the building, it can add a large power broom or outdoor sweeper to its rental fleet to make cleaning more efficient. Immediate equipment needs: Rental solutions providers can quickly fulfill equipment needs when a scrubber or sweeper needs repairs. Most can either fix or replace the necessary piece of equipment within the same day, so that ISPs and BSCs can stay within their scope of work. This benefit brings long-term savings since the responsibility and cost of equipment maintenance and repairs fall to the rental solutions provider. In addition, quick equipment repairs or replacements minimize downtime that could negatively affect project deadlines or increase labor costs. Maximum utilization: Long-term rentals can help facilities maximize utilization of their equipment. For instance, schools may use a floor scrubber regularly during the academic year but put it in storage during summer break. Owning equipment that is only used for a portion of the year can be a costly investment. Long-term rental can offset that cost by providing a rental plan the fits the timeline when the equipment is necessary. It also ensures that the equipment is in working order when it is deployed. Less overhead: As scheduled maintenance is part of a long-term rental agreement, ISPs and BSCs can reduce costs associated with hiring maintenance and repair technicians. BSCs also may be able to reduce the number of vehicles they keep for transporting equipment. Increased BSC competitiveness: With access to a range of flooring equipment through long-term rental, BSCs can position themselves to bid on additional projects—making them more competitive without the concern of capital investments. If they decide to purchase a core piece of equipment to expand their business, long-term rental can fill the lead-time gap while they are waiting to secure their capital. Partnerships with rental providers Rental solutions providers work with their clients to ensure they are entering into the right long-term rental agreement with the right equipment. A representative can analyze their clients’ cleaning program or scope of project—including labor availability—and walk through the facility with them to assess it. They will also discuss the projected utilization of the equipment. For example, if a client will use the equipment over the standard 160 hours a month for a rental, renting a larger more robust scrubber or sweeper may make better sense. By gathering information, the rental solutions provider can provide an accurate recommendation for the size and type of equipment that will introduce the most efficiencies. Upon completion of the rental agreement and the equipment delivery, a representative from the rental company can also provide equipment demonstrations and training. Most rental solutions providers offer free training for the entire length of the rental agreement and for any rental technology upgrades. This ensures that new employees receive the appropriate training on existing equipment and that existing employees receive training on new equipment. In any rental partnership, the goal is to provide ISPs and BSCs with the equipment and support they need to operate a safe and efficient cleaning program benefiting the facilities they serve.
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the workforce and the return on a four-year degree faces growing scrutiny, new research from Jobber suggests one of America's longest-held beliefs about career success may be beginning to crack. In fact, parents now point to the skilled trades offering a better return on investment (ROI) than college by nearly three to one. Based on two national surveys of 1,000 generation Z adults and 1,000 parents of generation Alpha, the research found that, for the first time since Jobber launched this annual study in 2023, more Gen Z respondents said college is not the safest path to job security than those who say it is. The survey also explores how AI, affordability concerns, and shifting workforce dynamics are reshaping how families define career success. Key findings from the report include: 52% of parents of Gen Alpha believe the skilled trades offer a better ROI than a college degree, compared with just 18% who said the same about college. 93% said they would financially support trade school the same way they would a four-year degree. 92% would encourage their child to pursue a skilled trade career if they were interested. 82% of Gen Z believe skilled trades offer strong job opportunities. More Gen Z say skilled trades are the fastest way to get ahead financially (34%) than a four-year degree (27%). 51% of parents said the trades lead to financial independence faster. Nearly half (47%) believe the trades offer stronger entrepreneurship opportunities than traditional college careers. Regarding AI, students and parents aren't just asking which jobs pay well anymore, but they're asking which ones will still exist: 68% of parents said AI has made them rethink the long-term stability of white collar careers. 76% of Gen Z said it's important to choose a career that is difficult to automate. 38% said AI tools actually make a career in the trades more appealing. While public attitudes are changing rapidly, schools haven't kept pace. More than half (55%) of parents believe schools still do not take the trades as seriously as university pathways, and 80% believe giving college and the trades equal promotion would encourage more students to consider skilled trade careers. Additionally, 77% of Gen Z want to own a business someday. Nearly twice as many Gen Z respondents said the trades offer the best path to business ownership compared to college careers (46% vs. 24%). Most (67%) also said learning that many trades professionals earn six-figure incomes makes them more interested in pursuing a skilled trade career.
Last week, Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup that’s been delayed up to 20 years for nearly 200 military sites nationwide, including lengthy delays in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. In June, it was reported that the Department of Defense (DoD) pushed back its PFAS investigation and cleanup timelines by as much as 20 years across 178 sites, including Truax Field and Volk Field in Wisconsin. Senator Baldwin is seeking information about revised cleanup timelines and reasons for the changes, as well as public health risks and plans to fund remediation. The Department of Defense has listed eight sites in Wisconsin among the more than 700 military installations nationwide under review for PFAS contamination. The contamination often derives from firefighting foam containing chemicals which don’t break down easily in the environment. PFAS are linked to serious health issues that include kidney and testicular cancers. As of March 2025, a progress report showed remedial investigations and feasibility studies were set to wrap up between 2028 and 2031 at five of the eight sites. Now those timelines have been pushed out as much as 15 years in some instances. These delays come as the Air National Guard installations rank among the most PFAS-contaminated sites in Wisconsin, Baldwin’s office reported. Truax Field in Madison, for example, has PFAS in groundwater measured as high as 39,841 parts per trillion; this is nearly 2,000 times the standard of 20 parts per trillion recommended by Wisconsin health officials. At Volk Field in Juneau County and General Mitchell Field in Milwaukee County, readings are as high as 23,000 and 10,800 parts per trillion, respectively. Delay in remediation efforts can allow contamination to spread, exposing more families, and increasing the final cost of remediation, Baldwin’s office said. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to rescind drinking-water limits for several PFAS compounds and to push perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) compliance to 2031.
Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List highlighted several destinations experiencing increased bed bug activity, including the addition of high-growth vacation destinations Tampa and Myrtle Beach. However, Chicago retained its position as the nation’s city with the highest rate of bed bug infestations, with Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis rounding out the top five. Ohio is the most represented state on this year’s list with six cities ranking in the top 50, reinforcing a broader trend of Midwestern cities appearing among the nation’s bed bug hot spots. While bed bugs can be found anywhere people live and travel, densely populated cities and environments with high resident and visitor turnover, such as apartments, dormitories, and hotels, can create more opportunities for the pests to spread simply due to the movement of high numbers of people. Many cities where bed bug activity has been the worst in the last year are also some of the country’s most popular travel destinations and are expected to welcome large numbers of visitors for major concerts, festivals, and sporting events throughout the summer and beyond. As visitors move through hotels and other accommodations, Orkin encourages vigilance against bed bugs, which can hitchhike home in luggage and other personal belongings. Knowing how to inspect hotel rooms and luggage before unpacking can help prevent an unwanted souvenir from making the trip home. This year’s rankings are based on treatment data from metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from May 12, 2025, to May 12, 2026. The list includes both residential and commercial bed bug treatments. “Bed bugs are resilient pests that can be difficult to control once introduced into a home or hotel room, and they are skilled at hiding in cracks, crevices, and personal belongings,” said Dr. Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and national technical director. “A quick inspection of hotels or short-term rentals while traveling, or belongings before unpacking at home, can help travelers reduce the chance of bringing bed bugs home.” Several cities saw notable shifts this year, including Nashville and Oklahoma City, which each climbed 10 spots, while Youngstown, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; and Knoxville, Tennessee; recorded some of the largest declines. These year-over-year changes highlight the persistent and evolving nature of bed bug activity across the nation. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to detect because they are tiny. Adults measure just 3/16 inch long, while immature nymphs are even smaller, and their flattened bodies allow them to hide in hard-to-spot locations. Primarily nocturnal, these blood-feeding pests often target sleeping humans and can easily spread by hitchhiking on luggage, purses, and other personal belongings. Because bed bugs can remain hidden for weeks before being discovered, travelers may unknowingly bring them home and not realize until long after a trip has ended. Orkin recommends the following steps to help prevent travelers from accidentally spreading bed bugs: Search the room for signs of infestation, looking for bed bugs: small, flat, oval-shaped insects that are reddish-brown and about the size of an apple seed as adults but almost translucently cream colored as nymphs. Other signs of bed bugs include ink-like speckled stains on fabrics, shed exoskeletons around crevices of beds and furniture, and a sweet, musty smell. Lift sheets, curtains, and cushions to check for bed bugs or signs of bed bugs before settling in. Elevate your luggage onto racks and keep it away from the bed or other furniture. Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and again when you return home. Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting upon returning home.
ISSA Scholars, a signature ISSA Charities program, named the recipients of the ISSA Scholars 2026-2027 Scholarship Awards. The generous contributions of ISSA-member companies and individuals provided 64 scholarships to new and continuing college students totaling US$182,500 in financial aid. "Every scholarship we award represents more than financial support. It represents opportunity, encouragement, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to pursue their dreams," said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. "Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and member companies, we're helping students build brighter futures while investing in the next generation of leaders who will make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond." ISSA Scholars, a program offered by the charitable arm of ISSA, the Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, provides financial aid to help students achieve their dreams of higher education. Since 1988, the organization has awarded nearly $4 million in financial aid to more than 1,000 ISSA-member-company employees and their immediate family members. Scholarships relieve the burden of tuition for college and university students and introduce new professionals to career opportunities in the cleaning and facility solutions industries. Students entering or continuing studies at fully accredited colleges and universities are eligible to apply for annual scholarships. An independent committee selects scholarship winners based on merit, individual accomplishments, and evidence of leadership. The full list of 2026-2027 Scholarships and recipients is available at issacharities.org/scholarship-recipients. Learn more about ISSA Scholars at issacharities.org/issa-scholars.