What a construction cleaning quote should cover
A scope checklist you can send to contractors so the quotes you get back are actually comparable.
Most construction cleaning quotes are a single line and a number. That is not enough information to compare two of them, and it is not enough to hold anyone to a standard at handover.
The list below is what a complete scope states. You can send it to contractors directly and ask them to price against it.
Scope items to specify
- Which phases are included: rough, final, touch-up, or a combination.
- The cleaned floor area in square feet, and whether that includes plant rooms, risers, stairwells and parking.
- Whether interior glass, exterior glass, or both are in scope.
- Whether light fixtures, vents and diffusers are wiped or only visually checked.
- Whether floors are cleaned only, or cleaned and then sealed or waxed.
- Who removes and disposes of debris, and whether disposal fees are included.
- Whether the contractor supplies water and power or expects site supply.
- Access hours, and whether out-of-hours or weekend work is priced in.
- How many re-cleans are included if an inspection fails.
- The handover standard the clean is measured against, and who signs it off.
Why the re-clean clause matters
The touch-up phase exists because buildings get dirty again between the final clean and occupancy. If your quote covers only a final clean and the inspection happens a week later, someone has to pay for the difference.
Agreeing up front how many re-cleans are included, and what triggers one, converts an argument at handover into a line item you already priced.