What does a janitorial service include?
A recurring janitorial service usually covers trash and recycling, restrooms, kitchen or break room counters and sinks, frequently touched surfaces, reception and common areas, and floors, on a set schedule. Detail work like baseboards and interior glass is often weekly or monthly, while carpet extraction, floor refinishing and supply restocking are frequently quoted separately.
What do janitors typically do?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes janitors and building cleaners as people who keep buildings "clean, sanitary, orderly, and in good condition." Its duty list includes emptying trash, sweeping, mopping or vacuuming floors, cleaning restrooms, washing glass, wiping frequently touched surfaces, and locking doors. It also lists ordering supplies and minor repairs, but those last two belong to in-house janitors more often than to outside cleaning contractors. That gap is exactly why the scope needs to be written down.
What is on a typical office cleaning checklist, area by area?
Use this table to read any proposal. "Each visit" and "periodic" vary by company; the point is to see where each task sits.
| Area | Usually each visit | Usually periodic | Often extra or excluded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry and reception | Empty trash, wipe counter and door handles, vacuum or mop | Dust frames, ledges and vents; detail glass doors | Exterior windows, mat rental |
| Private offices and desks | Empty bins, vacuum open floor; wipe desks only where cleared and agreed | Dust furniture tops and baseboards | Moving furniture, cleaning electronics |
| Conference rooms | Wipe table, reset chairs, empty trash, floors | Wipe chair arms, whiteboard trays | Upholstery cleaning |
| Kitchen or break room | Wipe counters, sink and table; exterior of appliances; empty trash | Microwave interior, cabinet fronts | Inside the refrigerator, washing dishes |
| Restrooms | Clean toilets, urinals, sinks, mirrors; wipe partitions and handles; mop | Detail scrub of grout and fixtures | Restocking paper and soap, unless written in |
| Floors | Vacuum carpet, sweep and mop hard floors | Edges and corners in detail | Carpet extraction, buffing or sealing |
| Trash and recycling | Empty, replace liners, take to the building's collection point | Wipe bins | Shredding, hazardous waste |
What is usually not included in janitorial service?
Most recurring cleaning contracts leave out repairs and maintenance, painting, pest control, moving heavy furniture, high or exterior windows, mold remediation and biohazard cleanup. Supply restocking is a frequent gray area: some companies include it, some charge for the products, and some leave it to you. If you assume something is included and it is not in writing, expect it to be skipped.
What should the written scope say?
- Every room or area, named, with the tasks for each.
- The frequency of each task: each visit, weekly or monthly.
- What the crew does not touch (desks with papers, server closets, locked rooms).
- Who supplies consumables and who supplies cleaning products.
- How completion is recorded on each visit.
How does JCIL write a janitorial scope?
Our scope splits the work into three lists the crew works from: every visit, weekly and monthly, written for your building at a free walkthrough. A sample every-visit list: trash and recycling emptied; restrooms cleaned; handles, switches and other touch points wiped; desks and work surfaces as agreed; reception and common areas reset. Our published not-included list covers painting, pest control, carpet shampooing, moving heavy furniture or appliances, structural mold, biohazard and pet waste; periodic floor and carpet work is quoted separately as an add-on. Restocking paper and soap is a separate contract, and we don't do daytime porter work or building maintenance.
FAQ
Does janitorial service include restocking toilet paper and soap?
Sometimes. Many contracts treat consumables as the client's cost or as a separate service. Check the scope for the word "restock" and who buys the product.
Will the cleaners wipe desks that have papers on them?
Most crews wipe only cleared desk surfaces, and many contracts say so. If you want desks wiped, keep them clear and put it in the scope.
Is cleaning inside the refrigerator included?
Usually not on every visit. It is often a periodic or add-on task, and many offices set a weekly clean-out day for staff.
Do janitors take recycling out?
Typically yes, to the building's collection point. Confirm that the scope names recycling and where it goes.
Sources
See a sample every-visit, weekly and monthly list on our janitorial services page, or call (857) 777-0885.