How savvy is your contractor?

A building's entrance is the focal point where prospective tenants form their first impression of your property, so it must look its best. The only way to ensure this is with consistent, professional cleaning and maintenance.

But beware: The contractor you hire to do this work must be knowledgeable and skilled in servicing your building's delicate finishes and in handling the chemicals used in the cleaning process. Otherwise, you risk jeopardizing your property's appearance, seriously damaging its architectural design, and harming pedestrians and the environment.

Before proceeding with a job, contractors must be cognizant of various government regulations, such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and OSHA standards. There are also certain job specific criteria for selecting coatings, including volatile organic compounds.

Many types of urethanes, enamels, lacquers, and paints have been outlawed for use in New York State (although many can still be readily purchased). In addition, the paint industry, which is on a fast track to comply with these standards, is manufacturing coatings without sufficient testing. As a result, unskilled contractors are likely to use the materials, leaving buildings with poor workmanship and limited protection.

We at Sterling Services Company routinely test new cleaning materials and coatings, double-checking that all of the products we use comply with city, state, and federal laws, standards, and requirements.

A high-quality job is not judged by appearance alone, but by the procedures that are followed from start to finish. It is how the company conducts itself in giving the necessary advice, the procedures used in setting up safety systems, the appearance of workers, the condition of the materials and equipment, and the clean-up.