A cleaning walkthrough checklist for clearer quotes
Questions to ask before estimating a residential clean, deep clean or move-out.
Write down the spaces and condition
List the rooms, bathrooms, floor types and surfaces included. Note buildup, pet hair, clutter and any areas that cannot be accessed. A room count alone does not describe the work. If you cannot inspect the property, record the assumptions and ask for clarification before fixing the scope.
Separate routine work from extras
Ask about inside ovens, refrigerators and cabinets; interior windows; laundry; bed changes; and moving furniture. Record included tasks and exclusions explicitly. Avoid assuming that “deep clean” means the same thing to both you and your customer.
Check how the visit will work
Confirm parking, keys or access codes, stairs, water and electricity, who provides supplies, and the available time window. Record any special product instructions. If a job requires specialist handling or equipment you do not have, leave it out of your standard quote and discuss it separately.
Turn the scope into time
Estimate the clock time each cleaner will need and add paid travel time. Then add supplies, vehicle costs and overhead in the calculator. Your final customer-facing quote should describe the included work and price without revealing your internal wage and profit calculations.
Keep a record
Retain a copy of the scope and assumptions you used. After the visit, compare estimated and actual time. Use our free printable walkthrough to collect the same information consistently, then refine the time estimates with your own job records.