Comparing on scope, not on price alone
- Require a written scope from every provider, with each task and its cadence spelled out.
- Ask for the labor-hour estimate per visit and the headcount on the crew.
- Confirm which consumables are inside the monthly rate and which bill as a pass-through.
- Lock down whether periodic work, floor program for example, is in the base or quoted on its own.
What a cleaning agreement should spell out
| Contract term | What it should say |
|---|---|
| Scope and SLA | Every task, every zone, with the cadence tied to each one. The specification you hold the provider to. |
| Schedule and access window | Days, hours, holiday handling and the agreed access window for the crew. |
| Pricing and inclusions | The monthly or per-visit rate, which consumables ride inside it and the approval path for anything billed as extra. |
| Insurance | A current certificate of liability, with workers compensation named when the provider carries employees. |
| Keys, codes and security | Who holds keys and codes, how turnover gets logged and the response if credentials are lost. |
| Inspections and remedies | A set inspection cadence, a reporting channel for missed items and a remedy window that spells out how fast something gets fixed. |
| Term and exit | Contract length, notice requirements and the exit path if the SLA stops being met. |
Red flags to walk away from
- A number thrown out before anyone has walked the building or asked a scope question.
- A scope that is verbal only, or a written one with no cadence next to the tasks.
- Hesitation or delay when the certificate of insurance is requested.
- A long-term contract with no cancellation path when the SLA goes sideways.