Most businesses that have problems with their cleaning company do not have a cleaning specification. They agreed a price, someone started turning up, and over time the standard drifted because nobody had written down exactly what they expected.
A cleaning specification fixes that. It is a document that sets out what needs to be cleaned, how often, and to what standard.
What a Cleaning Specification Includes
A good specification covers a few core areas.
The scope of work, meaning which areas of the building are included and which are not. This sounds obvious but it is often the source of disagreement.
The frequency of each task. Some things need to happen on every visit. Others are weekly, monthly, or periodic.
The standard expected for each area. What does a clean kitchen actually mean? What is the acceptable condition of washrooms between visits?
Any specific requirements, including products that cannot be used, areas that require special access, or times when cleaning cannot happen.
How Detailed Should It Be
The level of detail depends on the size and complexity of the premises. A small office needs a simpler specification than a multi-site operation or a large building with specialist areas.
Our office cleaning checklist covers the standard tasks that most offices need and is a useful framework for building a specification.
Using a Specification When Getting Quotes
A specification also makes it much easier to compare quotes from different cleaning companies. If every company is quoting against the same document, you are comparing like for like.
When we work with new clients, we carry out a site visit and help develop a specification that reflects the actual requirements of the premises. Our Aerosphere case study is a good example of how a specification-led approach to a daily office and canteen contract works in practice.
