How to write a janitorial scope of work

A scope of work spells out exactly what your cleaning team does, where, and how often. Without one, expectations live in people's heads, and quality depends on who is on shift.

Start with a map of the spaces

List every area to be cleaned, with its approximate size and how it is used: offices, conference rooms, restrooms, kitchens, lobbies, stairwells, elevators and outdoor entrances.

Set tasks and frequencies

For each area, list the tasks and how often they happen. For example:

• Nightly: empty trash and recycling, clean and restock restrooms, vacuum carpets, mop hard floors
• Weekly: dust high and low surfaces, clean interior glass, wipe down break room appliances
• Monthly: detail baseboards and vents, deep clean kitchens
• Periodic: carpet extraction, floor stripping and waxing, exterior windows

Cover supplies and equipment

Say who provides paper products, soap, liners and cleaning chemicals, and whether you want green-certified products.

Define day porter duties

If you need daytime coverage, describe what the porter handles: restroom checks, spills, lobby tidying and meeting room resets.

Agree how quality is measured

Include the inspection checklist, how often inspections happen and how issues get fixed. A scope without an inspection standard is a wish list.

Review it every year

Buildings change. Revisit the scope when occupancy, layout or use changes, and at least once a year.