List every space
Reception, restrooms, breakrooms, offices, meeting rooms, storage, and restricted rooms should each appear or be excluded.
Facility buyer guide
How to Compare Commercial Cleaning Proposals
Two proposals can quote the same building and describe very different work. Use this checklist to compare the rooms, tasks, and responsibilities behind the price before choosing a cleaner.
A useful starting point
Put every bid on the same page
Ask each company to describe the actual work, in writing. A lower number is only comparable when the scope is comparable.
Match visits to use
Separate nightly tasks from weekly details and periodic projects such as floor care or windows.
Ask about coverage
Who arrives regularly? What happens when someone is absent? Who is your contact when a task is missed?
Name the supplies
Confirm equipment, cleaning products, liners, soap, paper goods, and where they are stored.
The details behind the decision
Compare the work before the price
Walk the building with each bidder, or give every bidder the same room list and access notes. Ask for a written list of tasks and visit frequency. A proposal that says only 'general cleaning' leaves too much to interpret after work begins.
Check the handoff
Ask how keys and alarms are handled, how restricted areas are marked, who approves extra work, and how a missed item is reported. For floors, glass, and construction cleanup, request a separate line item so a periodic project does not disappear into the recurring contract.
Print or save
Bring this list to the walk-through
Use your browser's Print command or keep the list on your phone. Mark what applies to your building. The final scope is agreed in writing.
- Room-by-room tasks and visit frequency
- Access window, keys, alarms, and restricted areas
- Supplies, equipment, and consumables ownership
- Regular team, backup plan, and main contact
- One-time project work and exclusions
- Written process for changes and missed items
Common questions
Before you choose a plan
Should every company give a price per square foot?
Square footage helps describe a building, but room use, restrooms, floor type, access, and frequency change the work. Ask for a scope you can compare.
What if a proposal leaves out a room?
Ask for a revised written scope before choosing a provider. It is easier to clarify the omission before service starts.
Talk through your building
Start with a walk-through.
Send K's the address, room types, and preferred timing. The team will confirm coverage and discuss a written scope.