Updated 22 October 2026 · Avenclear Cleaning
1. List every area
Walk the building and list each room or zone with its floor area and type: open-plan office, meeting room, washroom, kitchen, reception, stairwell, clinical room. Note floor finishes, because carpet and vinyl need different tasks.
2. Set tasks and frequencies
For each area, list the tasks and how often they are needed: every clean, weekly, monthly or quarterly. Our office cleaning checklist is a good starting point.
3. Define the standard
Say what "clean" means in terms anyone can check. For example: no visible dust on horizontal surfaces below two metres, no marks on glass at eye level, bins no more than three-quarters full. Output-based standards like these are easier to audit than a list of actions alone.
4. Add access and site rules
- Cleaning hours and any rooms with restricted access
- Key holding, alarm and lock-up procedures
- Security vetting requirements
- Waste and recycling arrangements
- Who supplies consumables such as paper and soap
5. Agree how it will be audited
Set a monthly audit that scores each area against the standard, and agree what score triggers a remedial plan. Ask for the audit report in writing.
6. Ask for hours, not just a price
Ask each contractor to state the labour hours per week they are allowing. Price differences usually come down to hours, and too few hours is the main reason contracts fail.