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About

 

1st Choice High Level Cleaning and Maintenance has evolved over the years into a commercial cleaning company which delivers a professional quality service and which prides itself on a high standard of health and safety. We are based in Portsmouth and operate across the whole of the south coast and the home counties. We have a highly trained workforce and a full fleet of specialist vehicles and equipment which enables us to respond quickly to urgent and specialist requests whilst also being able to manage large infrastructure projects.

Paul Coupland started the business after leaving the Royal Marines in 1990.

Why did an ex-Royal Marine decide to start a cleaning business? Paul comes from a family, which over generations have worked, managed or owned their own cleaning business. During school holidays he would get a job cleaning. Whilst on leave from the Royal Marines he was asked if he could help one of the family out, they had a job where they could not reach to clean some windows. Paul was asked if he could abseil and clean windows and there the seed was sown.

The skills from the Royal Marine helped develop the business from a domestic to a commercial client base, offering a unique approach to achieve what appears to be impossible. The company started trading as a sole trader carrying out domestic window cleaning. Over the years the amount of work increased as did the client base and the decision was taken to become solely commercial cleaners.

The last major change came in 2004 when the decision was made to become a limited company. Over the years clients have approached 1st Choice with problems or work they needed carrying out. In turn, this has lead to a gradual increase in the range of services we offer today. With time and investment we have the expertise to deliver the desired results.

Through training and specialist equipment staff have formed into teams who are proficient in all aspects of their work. 1st Choice are fully committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. This commitment extends to the employees of client companies and other members of the public who may be affected by the work carried out by 1st Choice or its selected subcontractors. because of the nature of the work undertaken, safety is a prime issue for all staff of 1st Choice.

The watchword within the organisation is SAFETY. From carrying out site surveys, planning, implementing and completing works, staff, clients and the public can be assured when entering a workplace that we aim for a safe environment with the least disruption without compromising work. Our teams are MOD vetted and DBS checked, uniformed and carry identity cards. Quay Radio & Trading Standards-Square Deal Business Excellence Awards Winner Business To Business & Overall Winner 2006- 2007.

Our Accreditations

At 1st Choice High Level Cleaning and Maintenance we are members of the professional trade organisations associated with our work.

This ensures that we are aware of new legislation, technology, and methods to keep us running our successful business to the highest possible standards.

We are members of the following:

  • Federation of Window Cleaners
  • British Safety Council
  • The Federation of Small Businesses

We are accredited with the following organisations:

  • CHAS
  • IPAF (International Powered Access Federation)
  • PASMA
  • Safety approved installer
Charities and Community Work

We believe that as a business it is important to give something back to the local community and certain charities that are close to our hearts. Many of our customers feel the same way and as such participate and support our work.

 

We raise money for the Royal Marines Charity, a charity that helps Marines past and present, supporting them and their families through difficult times. We do this by collecting scrap metal and/or plastic milk bottle lids from our customers and contributing the exchange value directly to the charity via our Virgin Money Giving account. If you would like to support our work donating scrap metal then drop us a line or alternatively you can make a donation.

We took the team over to the Citizens Advice Bureau in Cosham after hearing about the problem they were having with rats in their roof – attracted by all the rubbish and overgrown vegetation around the building in hard to reach places. A thorough clear out was long overdue and we got stuck into the task. Read more …..