A cleaning scope of work is a written list of the areas to be cleaned, the tasks in each area, how often each task is done and the standard expected, plus the access and supply arrangements. It is the document that lets contractors quote the same thing and lets you hold the winner to it.
What goes in a scope of work?
Write it area by area. For each area, such as reception, open-plan office, meeting rooms, kitchen, washrooms and corridors, list the tasks and the frequency of each. Frequency belongs on each task, because bins may be daily while high dusting is quarterly.
A basic table works well:
| Area | Task | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Reception | Vacuum floor, wipe desk and glass doors | Daily |
| Open-plan office | Empty bins, spot-vacuum, wipe high-touch surfaces | Daily |
| Kitchen | Wipe benches, sink and appliance exteriors, restock | Daily |
| Washrooms | Full clean, restock consumables | Daily |
| Internal glass | Clean partitions | Monthly |
| High dusting | Vents and ledges | Quarterly |
What else should the scope state?
Beyond the task table, add the building details a contractor cannot guess:
- Site address, floor areas and number of washroom fixtures.
- Days and hours the cleaners can access the building, and any security or key arrangements.
- Who supplies consumables and equipment.
- Special requirements, such as infection control, chemical restrictions or sensitive equipment.
- How you will check the work and how problems get raised.
- Exclusions: anything you want to be clear is not included.
How specific should the tasks be?
Specific enough that a stranger could tell whether it was done. "Clean washrooms" is vague. "Clean and disinfect toilets, urinals and basins, wipe mirrors, empty bins, restock paper and soap, mop floor" can be checked. Use your own words for rooms and equipment so the scope matches what you see.
Common mistakes
- Listing a task you do not need done at the frequency you wrote. You pay for it.
- Leaving out access hours, which changes pay rates and therefore price.
- Not stating exclusions, which invites disputes later.
- Writing it as marketing copy instead of a checklist.
Remember that the scope can become a schedule to your contract, so write only what you expect to be held to.
How we do it
On a walkthrough we measure and photograph the site, count washroom fixtures, note how busy each area is and confirm access, then write the scope in your own language before we quote. If a task is not in the scope it is not in the price, and we tell you before we start.
Next steps
Once you have a scope, send the same document to each contractor and compare the quotes like for like. To see which choices raise or lower cost, read what affects a cleaning quote. Or book a walkthrough and we will draft it with you.