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INSIDE P rofiteers are likely to emerge during any disaster. The pandemic is no different, as property managers look- ing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep their buildings safe and healthy are discovering. Some commercial cleaning or resto- ration companies are charging four, five or even six times more than they should for disinfection services because they know people will pay it. Proper cleaning and disinfecting has never been more important. While in the past many service providers cleaned more for appear- ance than for health, today infection control is the top priority. The good news is SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is an enveloped virus, making it one of the easiest viruses to kill. Many prop- erty managers who have imple- mented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols in their buildings are shocked at the cost but assume – incorrectly – that it is the price that must be paid. Companies with a confirmed case of COVID-19 on the premises are even more vulnerable to price goug- ing. Suddenly, basic disinfecting becomes “viral mitigation” or “bio- hazard remediation services,” and the price tag increases exponen- tially. The same provider is using the same equipment and the same product but at nowhere near the same price. Property managers, des- perate to get someone in as quickly as possible to mitigate the situation, often feel they have no choice and agree to the inflated cost. Here are three things property managers should keep in mind when researching service providers and reviewing bids for disinfection services during the pandemic. n First, disinfecting is not the same as cleaning. Just because a cleaning company has been in business for years or even decades doesn’t mean its technicians know how to disin- fect. In fact, many companies cur- rently advertising their disinfection expertise actually have little to no experience with proper disinfect- ing procedures. They may not have Preventative maintenance suggestions for keeping assets safe and healthy for winter Maintenance help Suggestions for solar projects, certificates of insurance and building automations Management tips PAGES 13-15 How to manage mobile amenities and create flexibility for fitness areas Amenity trends Please see Page 22 October 2020 PAGES 16-17 PAGES 8-12 Thomas Holland CEO, APEX Surface Care Facilities cleaning profiteering on the rise Henry Desro, Unsplash Proper cleaning and disinfecting has never been more important. Many property managers who have implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols in their buildings are shocked at the cost but assume – incorrectly – that it is the price that must be paid. Companies with a confirmed case of COVID-19 on the premises are even more vulnerable to price gouging.