Professional floor maintenance
Reduce cleaning costs by up to 40%
A shocking fact: poorly maintained floors can increase your business costs by up to €15,000 per year.
Learn how smart business owners in Tallinn are saving money with the right floor maintenance techniques.
- How do unmaintained floors really affect the cost of your business and the opinion of your customers?
- What are the most cost-effective floor maintenance strategies used by successful companies in Harju County?
- How can you create a professional floor maintenance plan that fits your business needs and avoids unforeseen costs?
First impressions of the floor maintenance company
Anvar Jõgi looked down at the floors of his three stores and saw something customers noticed every day – wear, dirt and damage. He had spent thousands of euros over the years repairing the floors.“It’s like throwing money in the bin,” he thought. Until one simple floor maintenance strategy changed everything.
Floors are like your business business card – a first impression that can’t be erased. When a customer enters your business premises, the floor is one of the first things they see and feel. Dirty, worn or damaged floors can immediately create a negative impression, which affects the customer’s experience and decision to do business with you.
Toomas, the owner of a three-storey office building in Viimsi, recently shared his experience:”We spent around €12,000 a year on minor floor repairs and the complete replacement of the floor in one room. When we started to implement regular professional floor maintenance, our costs decreased by 60% the following year and the overall condition of the floors improved significantly. The high quality floor maintenance service has made our management costs much more predictable.”
Floor maintenance as a business strategy
Actual cost of no maintenance of floors
Neglecting to maintain floors is not just an aesthetic problem. It is a financial decision that directly affects your bottom line.
Direct costs:
- Premature replacement of floor coverings (average €25-45/m²).
- Frequent repairs (on average 300-800€ per repair)
- Consequences of irregular floor maintenance that require special treatment
Indirect costs:
- Negative customer perception (73% of customers notice worn floors and attribute this to poor quality).
- Safety risks for workers (slippery floors cause 20% of accidents)
- Consequences of irregular floor maintenance that require special treatment
A hotel in the centre of Tallinn reported that after a customer fell due to a slippery marble floor, they had to pay €9,000 compensation and their insurance premium increased by 22% for the next three years.
Main causes of floor damage in the Estonian climate
Estonia’s climate poses particular challenges for cleaning services on floors, which many business owners fail to take into account.
Winter challenges:
- Salty slush carried indoors in shoes damages most floor materials
- Temperature fluctuations cause floors to swell and contract
- Excessive humidity increases the risk of mould and bacterial growth (especially on wooden floors).
The impact of heavy traffic:
- Patterns of customer and staff movements create “wear and tear” trails
- Moving furniture causes scratches and spots
- Improper use of cleaning equipment accelerates wear and tear
Building materials expert Martin Lepp explains: “In businesses in Tallinn and Harju County, we often see damage caused by winter road salt, which is preventable with proper floor maintenance. The salt causes micro-damage to the floor structure, which over time will worsen and eventually require replacement of the entire floor. Regular professional floor maintenance is the only way to prevent these damages and to stop existing damage from worsening.”
Successful corporate floor maintenance strategies
Successful companies in Harju County use well thought-out floor maintenance strategies that reduce costs and extend the life of floors.
Preventive versus reactive care:
- Preventive floor maintenance costs on average 3-5€/m² per year.
- Reactive repairs can cost €15-25/m² per year
- Regular floor maintenance programme extends floor life by up to 60%
Katrin Mänd, Administrative Manager of Mustamäe Shopping Centre, shares:
“We have been implementing seasonal floor maintenance for five years. This has reduced our annual repair costs by 43% and the overall condition of the floors now remains good all year round. Professional floor maintenance is no longer an expense for our business, but a clear investment in visitor satisfaction and maintaining the value of the building.”
Seasonal maintenance:
- Autumn deep cleaning and renewal of protective layers before the winter season
- Special winter cleaning programmes to remove salt residues
- Spring assessment of the condition of floors and, if necessary, restoration of floors
Customer stories:
Jüri Shopping Centre: “Since starting with professional floor maintenance, we have noticed not only an improvement in the appearance of the floors, but also positive feedback from customers. Our annual floor maintenance costs are stable and predictable, while emergency repair costs have virtually disappeared. .” – Marek Teder, Administrative Manager
Business centre in Viimsi: “Our marble floors were in a bad state for years due to lack of maintenance. Starting with professional maintenance pays for itself within the first year. The maintenance work is carried out outside working hours, which means our tenants can work undisturbed. ” – Kristiina Tamm, Property Manager
Comparison table of floor types
Laminate
Daily dry cleaning, weekly wet cleaning, 6-monthly deep cleaning.
Life expectancy with good maintenance 10-15 years
Life expectancy without regular maintenance 5-7 years
PVC/Vinyl
Weekly wet cleaning, 3-monthly wax renewal
Life expectancy 15-20 years with good maintenance
Life expectancy without regular maintenance 8-10 years
Natural stone
Weekly cleaning with a special detergent, annual impregnation treatment.
Life expectancy with good maintenance 30+ years
Life expectancy without regular maintenance 15-20 years
Concrete
Monthly renewal of the dust barrier, annual polymer layer inspection
Life expectancy with good maintenance 25+ years
Life expectancy without regular maintenance 10-15 years
Puit
Weekly cleaning with a special detergent, 2-yearly sanding and oiling/lacquering.
Life expectancy with good maintenance 25+ years
Life expectancy without regular maintenance 8-12 years
Floor maintenance planning for different floor types
Retail space solutions:
- Durable vinyl or ceramic flooring needs regular re-waxing (every 3-4 months).
- Floors made of natural materials require special maintenance products and methods.
- Carpeted floors require regular deep cleaning to remove allergenic substances.
Optimal maintenance of office premises:
- In areas with light traffic, deep cleaning 2 times a year is sufficient.
- Reception rooms and corridors need more frequent maintenance (every 3 months).
- Quality dust mats reduce floor maintenance by up to 30%
Special solutions for industrial buildings:
- Dust barriers and reinforcers for concrete floors extend life and reduce maintenance
- Epoxy resin floors need regular checks for signs of cracking.
- Special reinforced floor coverings in heavy machinery areas
Seasonal maintenance calendar
Spring
March-May
- Winter damage assessment and repair
- Thorough deep cleaning to remove accumulated dirt and grime
- Checking the condition of the protective layers and renewing them if necessary
Suvi
June-August
- Low-traffic period in office buildings – ideal time for major maintenance work
- High-traffic period in trade – compressed maintenance scheme
Autumn
September-November
- Thorough assessment of the condition of floors
- Deep cleaning and, if necessary, renewal of protective layers
- Preparing for winter (installing effective dust mats)
Winter
December-February
- Frequent partial cleaning to remove salt and snow residues
- Monitoring moisture damage
- Implementation of anti-slip measures
Ask for a special offer for your business
Extend the life of your floors and save thousands of euros - start today!
Your company’s floors are an investment that needs protecting. Don’t wait until repair costs and customer impressions affect your profits. SPS Group offers a free floor maintenance assessment and a personalised floor maintenance plan tailored to the specific needs of your business.
Call[5560 5147] today or fill in the contact form on the website and a specialist will contact you within 24 hours.
Join the hundreds of businesses in Harju County that have entrusted their floor maintenance to professionals and are focusing on their core business, not floor problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I have my floors deep cleaned on my business premises?
The need for deep cleaning varies depending on the type of floor and the number of visitors. In high-traffic commercial areas, deep cleaning 3-4 times a year is recommended, while in offices 1-2 times a year is usually sufficient. Specific industrial premises may even require monthly deep cleaning. A professional assessment can help determine the optimum frequency for your specific premises.
What are the signs that my floors need urgent professional maintenance?
Attention should be paid to faded appearance, visible scratches, difficult to remove stains, uneven surfaces or wear to the protective and finish coat. You should also react if you notice a change in the colour of the floor, movement of tiles, deterioration of joints or if the floor surface appears unusually slippery/rough. In winter, it is particularly important to react to the appearance of white salt residues on the floor surface.
Could I save on maintenance costs if I had my own staff clean the floors?
Although daily cleaning is possible, non-professional methods can cause long-term damage. Professional maintenance uses specialised tools and techniques to extend the life of your floor and save on repair costs. It is often optimal to combine in-house daily maintenance with professional periodic maintenance. A maintenance plan drawn up by experts can provide clear guidelines for daily maintenance.
How does the Estonian climate affect my company's floors?
Indoor winter salting, temperature fluctuations and high humidity levels accelerate floor wear. Seasonal maintenance and special protective coatings help to minimise these effects. It is particularly important to maintain a stable indoor humidity (40-60%) and to install efficient dirt traps at entrances.
What is the most cost-effective floor type for commercial premises?
Cost-effectiveness depends on use. In high-traffic areas, durable vinyl or epoxy flooring is often best; in prestige areas, high-quality natural materials may be more cost-effective in the long term despite a higher initial investment. At the same time, it is important to remember that every type of floor needs proper maintenance – even the most durable floor will lose its benefits if it is not cared for properly.
Will professional floor maintenance disrupt my business?
Modern professional floor maintenance services are tailored to minimise disruption to business. Most maintenance can be carried out out-of-hours or in phases to ensure the continuous availability of the commercial space. For more extensive maintenance, a schedule can be drawn up that takes into account your business needs.
