There are various titles used to describe people who appear to be there to resolve issues and troubleshoot. They are known by many names in various countries, such as caretaker, custodian, janitor, cleaner, etc.
This article seeks to point out the differences between a janitor and a custodian for the readers’ interest.
Who Is A Janitor?
A janitor is a person who is in charge of cleaning and maintaining a structure.
A janitor, janitress, custodian “cleaner,” or caretaker is an individual who cleans and maintains buildings such as hospitals, schools, and residential accommodation. One of the major responsibilities of a janitor is to clean.
However, when looking up synonyms of janitor in a dictionary, one is startled to see terms like custodian, gatekeeper, caretaker, attendant, doorkeeper, steward, and so forth.
However, most people think of a janitor as someone who cleans public buildings like schools, workplaces, hospitals, and airports.
A janitor’s duties and responsibilities include removing trash, vacuuming carpets, cleaning toilets, adjusting garbage dumping, wiping windows, dusting furniture and appliances, and mopping and scouring floors.
In some situations, they will also be responsible for maintenance and protection. For example, in the United States, building superintendents hold a similar position, but with greater managerial responsibilities and excluding cleaning.
Do you know that one of the most outsourced services is cleaning?
Who is a Custodian?
A person responsible for watching after something, such as a museum, financial assets, or a culture or tradition, is referred to as a custodian.
The Major Difference Between Custodial and Janitorial Services
Below are the major differences that distinguish the services of a janitor from a custodian;
- A janitor is someone responsible for cleaning, whereas a custodian is someone responsible for looking after a property or a child.
- The lines between janitor and custodian have crossed in recent years, and janitors are frequently observed handling various additional tasks that would normally be assigned to a custodian.
- A custodian is always present on the premises of the property he is responsible for, whereas a janitor works in the mornings or evenings.
- Typically, janitorial services conjure up ideas of someone cleaning toilets and floors, whereas a custodian conjures up notions of someone responsible for a location’s upkeep and security.
- Custodian is now preferred over janitor since it conveys a sense of importance to the position.
- The distinction between custodians and janitors is that one is entrusted with the custody or care of something or someone. In contrast, a janitor is responsible for the upkeep and cleaning of a public facility.
- A janitor does not have custody, whereas a custodian does.
- What janitors do is clean places like malls and airports. A custodian does the same thing, but the work necessitates some mechanical ability.
- When a janitor working in schools or other public institutions is charged with obligations other than cleaning, he is sometimes referred to as a custodian. A custodian is someone who provides custodial services, such as looking after a child, an estate, a building, or an animal.
Every business owner should consider whether a janitor or a custodian is required for their commercial property.
Many people believe there isn’t much of a gap between the two, yet there is.
Gaps Between Janitors and Custodians for Businesses
A janitorial service will provide a general cleaning service for business owners both inside and outside the building. It includes carpet cleaning, dusting, sweeping, emptying trash cans and recycling bins, window cleaning, and floor washing, among other services. Carpet cleaning and floor waxing are two services that many janitorial service firms demonstrate their expertise in.
Custodians, unlike janitorial businesses, are more concerned with the overall upkeep of a commercial property. They will not only provide janitorial services to office buildings but also repair and maintenance services.
Custodial firms may also collaborate with other partners who provide repair services that they do not provide. An electrical contractor, for example, may work as a partner with a cleaning company to deliver services to their clients.
Business owners usually prefer to hire a janitorial service. It is more cost-effective to engage a carpet cleaning firm that provides various janitorial services rather than a custodian to keep the entire property in order.
Hiring a janitorial firm will offer you the regular floor and carpet cleaning that every commercial facility need, as well as a variety of additional services.
You won’t have to worry about paying extra salaries for maintenance if you don’t require it. Most businesses will establish a contract with a company owner that will deliver weekly or bi-weekly cleaning services. For business owners who do not require additional building maintenance, custodial services are not cost-effective.
Does Hiring Janitorial or Custodial Services Make Sense?
Hiring a cleaning service makes sense. Those hired will manage multi-state background checks and specialized cleaning services that cover everything needed to make your office or retail space look its best and make the best first impression.
You will have happier and healthier employees who operate in an environment where they can focus on their work without worrying about germs or pollen floating in the office.
When it comes to janitors and custodians if you can get both services in one; go for it. At Eliezer Group, we provide janitorial and custodial services to clients in Nigeria.
Finding a trustworthy janitorial service might be challenging — the most crucial thing to look for is a competent and professional staff who works swiftly and fast. Contact us for dedicated janitorial or custodian services. Call +2348144000052 or email info@eliezergroup.com. You can also visit our office.