Why a Scope of Work Matters More Than the Quote
If you request cleaning quotes without a defined scope, you'll receive bids ranging from $300/month to $1,200/month — and they won't be comparable. One company might quote daily cleaning; another weekly. One might include restroom supplies; another won't.
A written scope of work forces every bidding company to price the same job, so comparisons are meaningful.
What a Commercial Cleaning Scope Should Include
1. Frequency and Schedule
- Which days cleaning occurs (e.g., Monday through Friday)
- What time cleaning happens (after hours, during business hours)
- Which services are daily vs. weekly vs. monthly
2. Area-by-Area Task List
Office/Workstation Areas (Daily)
- Empty all trash receptacles and replace liners
- Wipe down desks and workstation surfaces (specify if items should be moved or cleaned around)
- Vacuum all carpeted areas
- Sweep and mop hard floors
- Spot-clean glass partitions and door glass
Restrooms (Daily)- Sanitize toilets, urinals, and sinks
- Wipe down counters and mirrors
- Restock paper towels, toilet paper, and hand soap
- Mop floors with disinfectant
Break Room / Kitchen (Daily)- Wipe down counters and tables
- Clean sink
- Wipe exterior of microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher
- Empty trash and recycling
High-Touch Surfaces (Daily)- Door handles and push plates
- Light switches
- Elevator buttons
- Reception desk area
Weekly Tasks- Dust horizontal surfaces (windowsills, shelves, tops of monitors)
- Clean interior glass and mirrors throughout
- Wipe down conference room chairs and tables thoroughly
- Mop hard floors with scrubbing (not just sweeping)
Monthly Tasks- Dust ceiling vents and returns
- Clean baseboards
- Wipe down blinds
- Spot-clean walls for smudges
3. What's Not Included
Explicitly state what falls outside the contract:
- Exterior window washing
- Carpet deep extraction
- Post-event cleanup
- Refrigerator interior cleaning
- Pressure washing
This prevents disputes over "we thought that was included."
4. Supplies and Equipment
Specify who provides:
- Cleaning chemicals and disinfectants
- Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap)
- Vacuum and floor equipment
- Trash liners
If you're providing supplies, specify exactly what products you want used (important for LEED-certified buildings, medical facilities, or allergy-sensitive environments).
5. Performance Standards
Include language like:
- "All restrooms must be inspection-ready each morning"
- "Trash must be emptied before 8:00 AM"
- "Technician must complete a digital checklist and share photos weekly"
Getting Multiple Bids With the Same Scope
Once you have your scope, send it to 3–5 cleaning companies and ask them to quote based on exactly the same scope. Specify that bids should be line-itemized so you can see where costs differ.
Use our commercial cleaning calculator to baseline your budget before requesting quotes.