Commercial & Office Cleaning Checklist

Start with a site inspection and a task matrix

An office cleaning contract should describe the building, occupancy and work expected. Invite suitable providers to inspect the same areas and quote against the same brief. Separate routine cleaning from periodic detail, carpet work, high-access windows and specialist areas.

Specify areas and frequency

• Workstations: agree on accessible desks and shared touchpoints, with clear rules for confidential papers and IT equipment.
• Kitchens: list benches, sinks, appliance exteriors and any separately scheduled fridge or cupboard tasks.
• Amenities: define toilets, basins, mirrors, floors and consumable responsibilities.
• Common areas: cover entrances, corridors, meeting rooms, lifts and bins as applicable.
• Periodic tasks: give each one its own frequency and approval process.

Document access, products and site procedures

Record approved work hours, keys, alarm codes, inductions, locked areas and an emergency contact. Confirm who manages supplies and secure storage. Safe Work Australia's safety-data-sheet guidance is relevant to hazardous chemicals used at work; ask the contractor how product information and site requirements will be handled.

Compare the service agreement

Ask for relevant insurance details, staffing and replacement arrangements, supervision and how subcontractors are managed. Identify who checks completed work and how issues are logged. A monthly total should make clear the expected visits, public-holiday arrangements, consumables and separately priced extras.

Example acceptance checklist

1. Each area has a task, frequency and responsible party.
2. A site contact can approve extra work before charges arise.
3. The provider records missed visits and corrective action.
4. Keys and security permissions have a documented handover process.
5. Review dates, payment terms and cancellation arrangements are written down.

Medical, industrial and childcare premises need their own site-specific assessment. Do not treat an ordinary office checklist or a directory category as proof that a provider meets those specialist requirements.