Key takeaways
- Normal service is nightly or several times a week for restrooms, trash, floors and common areas, with periodic detail work.
- In multi-tenant buildings, know which areas the landlord cleans and which you do.
- Your scope and checklist define the standard you can enforce.
Office buildings tend to follow a recognizable pattern. Knowing it helps you judge what you are getting.
Common areas (lobbies, hallways, elevators)
- Floors cleaned daily, with entry mats checked
- Glass doors and elevator interiors wiped daily
- High-touch points disinfected daily
- Dusting and detail work weekly or monthly
Restrooms
- Cleaned and restocked every service day
- Fixtures disinfected and floors mopped with the correct dilution
- Deep detail on grout, partitions and drains weekly or monthly
See restroom cleaning standards.
Tenant spaces and offices
- Trash and recycling emptied nightly
- Vacuuming or mopping several times a week
- Desks usually left alone unless cleared by the tenant
- Break rooms cleaned daily
Landlord versus tenant
In multi-tenant buildings, read your lease. The landlord often handles lobbies, common restrooms and exteriors, while the tenant handles the suite. Gaps between the two are a common source of complaints.
What a good routine includes
- A written checklist specific to the building
- Color-coded cloths and mops to avoid cross-contamination
- Scheduled periodic tasks, tracked on a calendar
- A supervisor who inspects regularly
- A single contact for requests
How to check the standard
- Walk the building on Monday morning.
- Look at restrooms, break rooms, entry glass and floor edges.
- Compare to the checklist.
- Give feedback in writing.
Reminder: "Standard" is what you agree in writing. Ask the vendor for the checklist and keep a copy.
See also commercial office cleaning: what's the industry standard?.