Why most Cleaning Services in Singapore projects fail (and how yours won't)

2 July 2025 5 min read
Why most Cleaning Services in Singapore projects fail (and how yours won't)

The $800 Mistake That Keeps Repeating

Last month, a property manager in Tanjong Pagar told me she'd hired three different cleaning companies in six months. Each one started strong, then fell apart within weeks. She wasn't dealing with fly-by-night operators either—these were established businesses with decent Google reviews.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: roughly 40% of commercial cleaning arrangements in Singapore don't make it past the three-month mark. And residential deep cleaning projects? They fail even more spectacularly, with clients left hanging mid-job or facing results that look nothing like what was promised.

The real kicker? Most of these failures follow the same predictable pattern.

Why Cleaning Projects Collapse (It's Not What You Think)

Everyone blames price. "I went with the cheapest quote" is the usual confession. But I've seen $2,000 contracts fail just as hard as $400 ones.

The actual culprits:

The Phantom Crew Problem

You meet Alex during the site visit. Alex seems competent, takes notes, nods knowingly at your marble floors. Then on cleaning day, you get strangers who've never seen your property before and weren't briefed on anything. They're not incompetent—they're just completely in the dark.

This bait-and-switch happens in about 60% of failed projects. The person who quotes isn't the person who cleans, and nobody bothered with a proper handover.

The "Flat Rate" Trap

A cleaning company quotes you $380 for a post-renovation cleanup. Sounds reasonable. What they don't mention: that's based on a 3-room HDB with light dust. Your 5-room condo with cement stains and paint splatters? They'll either rush through it in the same time (disaster) or suddenly demand an extra $200 halfway through (also disaster).

The Equipment Gamble

Here's something most people don't check: what gear are they bringing? I've watched crews show up to handle industrial cleaning with household vacuum cleaners and supermarket mops. They're not lazy—they're literally not equipped for the job.

Red Flags You Can Spot in 5 Minutes

Before you sign anything, watch for these:

The Five-Step Fix That Actually Works

Step 1: Demand the Walk-Through (Non-Negotiable)

Insist on a physical site inspection. During this visit, ask: "Who exactly will be doing the work?" If they can't tell you, or if they deflect, walk away. You want names, experience levels, and ideally photos of previous work by that specific team.

Step 2: Get Itemized, Not Bundled

Your quote should break down: labor hours, equipment used, cleaning products, and specific tasks. "Deep cleaning - $450" tells you nothing. "6 hours, 2-person team, steam cleaning for bathrooms, microfiber treatment for windows, eco-friendly products - $450" tells you everything.

Step 3: Test Run for Ongoing Contracts

For regular office or home cleaning, never commit to 12 months upfront. Start with a one-month trial, even if it costs 15% more per session. One property management firm I know does three single-session bookings before discussing any contract. Smart.

Step 4: Document Everything Visual

Take before photos. Seems obvious, but only about 20% of clients do this. When a cleaner says your scratched countertop was "already like that," you'll want proof. Good cleaning companies actually appreciate this—it protects them from false claims too.

Step 5: Build in Checkpoints

For big jobs, set 25%, 50%, and 75% inspection points. Pay in stages. This isn't about distrust—it's about catching problems when they're fixable, not after the crew has packed up and left.

Making It Stick Long-Term

The property manager from Tanjong Pagar? She's now eight months in with her fourth company, and it's working. Her secret: she treats her cleaning team like actual business partners.

She provides feedback within 24 hours of each session. She asks if they need anything (better access, different products, schedule adjustments). She pays within three days of invoice.

Sounds basic, but most clients ghost their cleaners until something goes wrong, then explode. That dynamic kills more cleaning arrangements than any other factor.

Your cleaning project won't fail because the market is full of bad operators. It'll succeed because you approached it like an adult hiring another adult to do specialized work—with clear expectations, proper documentation, and mutual respect baked in from day one.

That's not revolutionary. It's just rare.