Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions

What areas of London do you cover?

We're based in East London and cover all London boroughs and surrounding areas. We regularly work in Central London, the City, Canary Wharf, West End, Shoreditch, Westminster, and everywhere in between. If you're in London (or even just outside), we can help.

Are you available for emergency or last-minute bookings?

Absolutely. We're available 24/7 for emergency cleaning and can often accommodate same-day bookings depending on our schedule. Call us on +44 (0) 793 855 431 and we'll do our best to help, no matter how tight the deadline.

Do you work weekends and bank holidays?

Yes! Events, film shoots, and emergencies don't stop for weekends, and neither do we. We're available seven days a week, including bank holidays.

Are you insured?

Yes, we're fully insured with comprehensive public liability and professional indemnity coverage. We can provide insurance certificates for venue requirements, production insurance, or property owner agreements.

What cleaning products do you use?

We're committed to being environmentally responsible. We use eco-friendly cleaning products from brands like Delphis Eco, Ecover Professional, and Bio-D - all plant-based, biodegradable, and effective on tough commercial cleaning challenges.

We're also happy to work with your preferred products or develop custom eco-solutions that meet your specific requirements.

Pricing & Quotes

How much do your services cost?

Every job is different, so we provide tailored quotes based on your specific requirements - the size of the space, type of cleaning needed, frequency, and timing. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.

Do you offer free quotes?

Yes! All our quotes are completely free with no obligation. Just get in touch with your requirements and we'll provide transparent pricing.

What information do you need for a quote?

To give you an accurate quote, we'll need:

• Type of service (event, film set, corporate, emergency, etc.)

• Location and size of space

• Date and time required

• Specific cleaning requirements

• Any special considerations (access restrictions, sensitive equipment, etc.)

The more detail you can provide, the more accurate our quote will be.

Do you have minimum booking requirements?

This depends on the service and location. For some jobs, particularly emergency call-outs or one-off deep cleans, we may have minimum charges. We'll always be upfront about this when providing your quote.

How do I pay?

We accept bank transfers, and we can arrange payment terms for regular contracts. Payment details will be included in your quote and invoice.

Film & TV Productions

Do you understand film set etiquette?

Yes! Our teams are trained in production environments. We understand hot sets, when to stay out of frame, how to work around lighting and camera setups, and when to wait for "cut" before moving. We've worked on everything from intimate shoots to major productions.

Can you work to tight production schedules?

That's what we do best. We understand that production schedules are demanding and time-sensitive. Our crews are trained for rapid turnarounds and can work around your shooting schedule - including overnight, early morning, and weekend filming.

Are you discreet with confidential productions?

Absolutely. We understand the confidential nature of film and TV work. Our teams are professional, discreet, and trusted to work around unreleased content, talent, and sensitive material. What happens on set stays on set.

Can you provide location restoration after filming?

Yes, that's a key part of our service. We ensure locations are returned to their original condition (or better) after production wraps, handling all coordination with property owners and your locations team.

Live Events

Can you provide standby teams during events?

Yes! Our live event standby teams are positioned throughout your venue during the event, ready to respond to spills, toilet maintenance, bin changes, and any cleaning emergencies without disrupting your guests.

How quickly can you turn around a venue between sessions?

Very quickly! Our crews are trained for rapid interval turnarounds. Got a 15-20 minute break between sessions? We can reset your venue - clearing tables, emptying bins, cleaning toilets, and preparing for the next wave of guests.

Do you work with specific venues regularly?

We work with venues across London, from major exhibition centres like Excel and Olympia to intimate event spaces, corporate venues, and pop-up locations. If you're a venue looking for a regular cleaning partner, get in touch.

Can you handle multi-day events?

Absolutely. We provide ongoing support throughout multi-day conferences, exhibitions, and festivals - from daily morning prep to evening deep cleans, keeping standards consistently high from day one to the final session.

Corporate & Commercial

Do you offer regular contract cleaning?

Yes, we provide daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning contracts for offices, commercial spaces, retail locations, and corporate venues. We can create a cleaning schedule that fits your business needs and budget.

Can you clean outside of business hours?

Definitely. We understand that most businesses need cleaning done outside of working hours. We're happy to work evenings, overnight, early mornings, or weekends - whatever suits your business operations.

Do you provide your own equipment and supplies?

Yes, we come fully equipped with all necessary cleaning equipment, products, and supplies. You don't need to provide anything unless you have specific product preferences.

Sustainability & Environment

Are your cleaning products eco-friendly?

Yes! We're committed to environmental responsibility. We use plant-based, biodegradable cleaning products with minimal environmental impact. All our products are effective on tough commercial cleaning while being gentle on the planet.

Do you recycle?

Recycling is standard practice across all our jobs. We properly sort waste and recycling, and work with venues and clients to maintain their environmental policies.

Can you work with our sustainability requirements?

Absolutely. We're happy to adapt to your specific environmental standards, work with your preferred eco-friendly products, or develop custom sustainable cleaning solutions for your organization.

Practical Questions

What happens if something goes wrong during a job?

We're fully insured and take responsibility for our work. If any issues arise, we'll address them immediately and work with you to resolve the situation. Customer satisfaction is our priority.

Do I need to be present during the cleaning?

Not necessarily. For many jobs, we can work with access arrangements (key collection, security codes, etc.) so you don't need to be on site. We'll discuss access requirements when planning your job.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

We understand that plans change. Please give us as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. We'll work with you to find alternative arrangements. Cancellation terms will be outlined in your quote.

How far in advance should I book?

For regular or large jobs, we recommend booking as far in advance as possible. However, we're also equipped to handle last-minute and same-day bookings depending on availability - just give us a call and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Can you provide regular cleaning teams?

Yes, for ongoing contracts we aim to provide consistent teams who get to know your space and requirements. This ensures continuity and builds a working relationship with your business.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help! Get in touch and we'll answer any questions you have about our services.

Phone: +44 (0) 793 855 431
Email: theoriginaldept@gmail.com

Available 24/7 for emergencies

The Original Department
London's premium specialist cleaning company for film & TV productions, live events, and corporate spaces.