As a facility manager, your job is more than just ensuring the HVAC system is humming and the lights are on—you are the unseen force shaping how tenants, customers, and staff experience your building every day. In a world where cleanliness equates to credibility, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet far too many janitorial providers rely on subcontracted labor—a model that once promised flexibility and cost savings but is now failing to meet modern demands.
As vice president of Proclean Maintenance Systems in the greater New York area, I’ve seen firsthand how subcontracting in the janitorial world has become more of a liability than a solution. What once worked as a shortcut to growth now threatens quality, compliance, and client satisfaction. Here’s why the era of subcontracting is coming to an end—and what facility managers need to know to protect their buildings and their reputations.
Subcontracting undermines accountability
One of the most frustrating challenges for facility managers is playing the blame game when something goes wrong. With subcontracted janitorial teams, responsibility is often fragmented. Workers don’t report directly to your vendor, so issues fall through the cracks. Communication becomes unclear, response times lengthen, and no one takes ownership.
When a janitorial company directly hires and manages its staff, the lines are clear—and so is the path to resolution. Problems are addressed more quickly, and accountability is built into the service model.
Inconsistent quality becomes the norm
Subcontracted teams typically come with varying levels of training, experience, and equipment quality. One night, your floors sparkle. Next, trash bins are left full, and restrooms look untouched. That inconsistency doesn’t just frustrate occupants—it erodes their confidence in your ability to manage the facility.
By contrast, direct-hire janitorial firms can maintain consistent standards. They control how staff are trained, what tools they use, and how performance is evaluated. That level of oversight pays off in cleaner, better-run buildings.
Subcontracting exposes your facility to legal risk
Worker misclassification is no longer a fringe issue—it’s a serious legal and financial concern. Many subcontracted janitorial workers perform duties identical to full-time employees but without proper benefits or workplace protections. This opens the door to wage and hour violations, OSHA infractions, and joint employer liability.
Even if these workers don’t report to you directly, your organization can still be swept up in the legal consequences. Choosing a provider with in-house employees dramatically lowers that risk.
Today’s clients expect more than a mop and bucket
Modern tenants and building users demand transparency, professionalism, and accountability. They want to know who’s cleaning their space, whether background checks have been performed, and if the crew is properly trained and insured. Subcontracted labor often cannot deliver on those expectations—and your facility’s reputation suffers for it.
Direct-hire janitorial models offer tighter control and stronger alignment with your values. You get clear answers, consistent faces, and a service team that reflects the high standards of your operation.
Subcontracting creates more work for you, not less
Let’s face it: subcontracting was meant to make life easier for janitorial providers. But in practice, it often makes things harder for you, the facility manager. You’re the one fielding complaints, chasing follow-ups, and trying to patch over inconsistencies.
When a janitorial team is hired, trained, and supervised directly by the provider, those headaches disappear. You’re working with a single, unified team that knows your building and your expectations. That translates to smoother operations and less time spent putting out fires.
The smarter path forward
The best janitorial providers today are moving away from subcontracting and investing in their own people. They recognize that quality matters. That accountability matters. That your time—and your peace of mind—matter.
If your current provider leans heavily on subcontractors, it’s time to ask some tough questions:
- Are you consistently satisfied with the service?
- Are your concerns addressed quickly and transparently?
- Is your building’s risk profile increasing instead of improving?
The bottom line is simple: in today’s environment, the cost of subcontracting outweighs the convenience. Facility managers deserve better. Choose vendors who hire, train, and manage their own teams. Not just for cleaner buildings—but for safer, smarter, and more reliable partnerships.
