9 Questions To Ask When Hiring a Crime Scene Cleanup Company
If a crime scene occurs in your space, you want to promptly hire a company to clean it up. However, while hiring the first team you see may be tempting, you may be doing yourself a disservice.
The last thing you want to add to your plate is having to pay for low-quality services that just don’t get the job done. To help you find the best crime scene cleanup company as quickly as possible, let’s review what questions you should ask before hiring.
Are Your Technicians Certified in Biohazard Cleaning?
Certified professionals have the knowledge and tools needed to eliminate biohazards, adhering to strict industry standards and government regulations. Ensuring the technicians working on your property are certified is key to receiving quality and law-abiding services.
The professionals need to protect your health and the health of those around you from potentially infectious materials left at a crime scene. When you ask this question, you’re taking an important step toward ensuring that your property is in capable and caring hands, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward.
Are You Licensed and Insured To Perform Biohazard Cleanup in This Area?
Just as you would ask about their certifications, you also need to ensure they have a license to perform biohazard cleaning in your area and have the proper insurance. Licensing ensures that the company adheres to the state and local regulations specific to biohazard cleanup—a complex process that demands a high level of expertise.
Meanwhile, insurance is equally vital as it protects both you and the cleanup company from any unforeseen liabilities that might arise during the cleanup process. Accidents can happen, and insurance covers any potential damages or injuries. The last thing you need during these difficult times is a bill in your lap for an accident that occurred on your property during cleanup.
How Long Have You Been in the Crime Scene Cleanup Field?
There’s nothing wrong with wanting the most experienced team possible on your side. Knowing a company’s experience level can offer reassurance during a distressing time.
A question about their experience in the field is more than just a query about years in business. It invites the company to share its history of support for those who’ve faced similar challenges. An extensive background in crime scene cleanup signifies a wealth of practical knowledge and a deep understanding of the emotional support required during these critical times.
How Do You Handle and Dispose of Biohazardous Materials?
Proper management of biohazardous materials is fundamental to ensuring the safety of everyone involved and the environment. A reputable company should follow stringent protocols for the collection, transportation, and disposal of biohazards, adhering to regulations usually overseen by a branch in the state’s Department of Health. The disposal process often involves using specialized equipment and containers to prevent contamination and licensed facilities for the safe disposal of hazardous waste.
How Quickly Can You Respond to a Crime Scene Cleanup Request?
Timeliness is a crucial aspect when it comes to addressing the aftermath of a crime scene. A swift and efficient response provides a semblance of order and calm in a time of chaos and distress.
A company that prioritizes quick response times demonstrates its understanding of the urgency and sensitivity of the situation. It reflects their dedication to easing your burden as quickly as possible, allowing you to begin the healing process sooner. When a cleanup crew promptly arrives on-site, they’re taking care of biohazardous materials that need immediate attention and ensuring that you’re not alone during this difficult time.
Can You Guarantee Confidentiality and Discretion?
You also need to ask a potential cleanup company about their confidentiality policies to reassure yourself that they’ll handle your situation with the respect and sensitivity it deserves. A reputable company will conduct all aspects of their service, from the initial call to the completion of the cleanup, discreetly.
This can include unmarked vehicles and uniformed personnel who understand the importance of privacy in such sensitive situations. They should also adhere to strict confidentiality agreements and never disclose information about the incident or the individuals involved to unauthorized parties.
Will You Be Mindful of Valuable or Personal Items?
A compassionate and understanding team will meticulously search for and safeguard any personal belongings, family heirlooms, or other items of emotional or monetary value.
You don’t need a careless team that could potentially ruin a precious photo album with cleaning chemicals or accidentally mar expensive, irreplaceable jewelry. They should understand that while some items may seem insignificant to outsiders, they can hold immense sentimental value and play a vital role in the healing process. The right company will communicate openly with you about their findings and how they handle these items, whether it’s preserving them until they can safely return them or documenting them if they must remove them.
Can You Provide an Estimate for the Overall Cost?
With all the stress of dealing with this traumatic event, the financial aspect can be another stressor, adding to the weight of your worries and uncertainties. A reputable crime scene cleanup company can provide a detailed and straightforward estimate of the costs.
This estimate should account for the complexity of the job, the time it will take, and any specific challenges unique to the situation at hand. The company should be transparent about its pricing structure, including any additional costs that might arise during the cleanup process.
Do You Value Compassion and Empathy?
One of the most important questions you should ask a crime scene cleanup company before hiring is how they view the importance of compassion. Empathy and care should be at the core of how they interact with you and the scene.
A truly understanding and sensitive company recognizes that they’re stepping into a situation that, for many, represents one of the most difficult moments in their lives. Their approach should be one of not just technical efficiency but also emotional support, showing care and concern for the feelings of those affected.
If you’re looking for a cleanup crew that will clean your property with meticulousness and dedication, Affinity Bio Solutions is here for you. We offer extensive and detailed crime scene cleanup in Arizona and are committed to handling the scene as quickly as possible so that you can begin healing. Our team will treat your property and loved ones with the utmost respect.