Real Estate Agents: What Should Professional Commercial Cleaning Include Before a Property Is Sold or Leased?

 

When a commercial property is being prepared for sale or lease, the condition of the building can affect the way prospective buyers and tenants see the property.

Real estate agents already have plenty to coordinate—repairs, painting, landscaping, inspections, photography, signage, staging and showings. Professional commercial cleaning should be part of that preparation, not something left until the last minute.

But what should a commercial cleaning service actually include before a property is put on the market or shown to prospective tenants?

A professional cleaning plan should address the areas people notice first, the areas that receive the most use, and any cleaning or floor-care problems that could make the property appear poorly maintained.

For commercial properties in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, Lewisville and surrounding areas, A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning can help determine what cleaning and floor-care services a property needs before it is shown.

 

What Should Professional Commercial Cleaning Include?

There is no single cleaning checklist that works for every commercial property.

A vacant office building, medical facility, retail space and occupied professional office may all require different levels of cleaning.

Depending on the property, a professional commercial cleaning plan may include:

• Entrances and entry doors
• Lobbies and reception areas
• Hallways and corridors
• Offices
• Conference rooms
• Restrooms
• Break rooms and kitchens
• Common areas
• Hard-surface floors
• Carpeted areas
• High-touch surfaces
• Door handles and push plates
• Light switches
• Handrails
• Trash receptacles
• Other high-visibility areas

The goal isn’t simply to check boxes on a cleaning list.

The goal is to have the property look clean, maintained and ready for someone to imagine using the space.

 

Start With the Areas Prospective Buyers and Tenants See First

When someone walks into a commercial property for the first time, certain areas immediately become part of their impression of the building.

The entrance, lobby, reception area, hallways and floors can all receive close attention.

Before a showing, look at the property from the perspective of someone who has never been inside it.

Are the entry doors clean?

Are there fingerprints around the handles?

Does the lobby look dusty?

Are the floors dull or heavily scuffed?

Are trash receptacles clean and emptied?

Does the hallway look properly maintained?

These may seem like small details, but they can become distractions during a property tour.

A professional commercial cleaning company can help identify these visible problem areas and develop a cleaning plan around them.

 

Restrooms Can Make a Big Impression

Restrooms deserve particular attention before a commercial property is shown.

A prospective tenant may overlook an outdated restroom if the space itself is otherwise suitable. However, a restroom that appears dirty or neglected can raise questions about how the building has been maintained.

Depending on the facility, professional restroom cleaning may include:

• Toilets and urinals
• Sinks and countertops
• Mirrors
• Fixtures
• Floors
• Partitions
• Doors and handles
• High-touch surfaces
• Trash receptacles
• Other restroom surfaces

Restrooms should be included in the property’s overall cleaning plan rather than treated as a separate afterthought.

 

Don’t Forget Break Rooms and Kitchen Areas

Break rooms and kitchen areas can quickly show signs of everyday use.

Before showings, these areas may need attention to:

• Countertops
• Sinks
• Tables
• Floors
• Trash areas
• Exterior appliance surfaces where applicable
• Cabinet surfaces
• Door handles
• Other frequently touched areas

A prospective tenant may be evaluating whether the building will work for employees and customers.

A clean break room helps them focus on the space itself instead of accumulated dirt, trash or neglected surfaces.

 

High-Touch Areas Should Be Included in the Cleaning Plan

Commercial buildings contain many surfaces that employees, customers and visitors touch throughout the day.

Depending on the facility, these may include:

• Door handles
• Push plates
• Light switches
• Handrails
• Common-area surfaces
• Frequently touched fixtures
• Other high-touch areas

The appropriate frequency depends on how the building is used.

A busy facility with significant daily traffic may need more frequent cleaning than a lightly occupied office or vacant commercial property.

That’s why the cleaning schedule should be based on the actual property rather than using the same routine for every customer.

 

Don’t Confuse Routine Cleaning With Professional Floor Care

This is especially important when preparing a commercial property for sale or lease.

Routine janitorial cleaning and specialized floor care are not the same thing.

Regular sweeping, mopping and vacuuming can remove everyday dirt and debris. But commercial floors can eventually develop conditions that routine cleaning cannot correct.

Look for warning signs such as:

• Dull or cloudy appearance
• Yellowing
• Heavy finish buildup
• Stubborn scuff marks
• Uneven appearance
• Worn finish
• Areas where the finish has deteriorated
• Dirt or residue that does not come off with normal cleaning

If a floor still looks worn or neglected after routine cleaning, the property may need a separate floor-care evaluation.

Depending on the type and condition of the floor, professional floor stripping and waxing or another specialized maintenance process may be appropriate.

This can be particularly important before professional photographs, major property tours or an open house.

A floor can be clean and still look worn.

That’s why agents should consider both commercial cleaning and floor condition when preparing a property.

 

When Should You Have the Property Cleaned?

Ideally, don’t wait until the morning of an important showing.

Give the cleaning company enough time to address problems that may require more than a basic cleaning visit.

A property may need:

• A one-time deep cleaning before listing
• Cleaning before professional photography
• Cleaning before scheduled showings
• Recurring janitorial service while the property remains occupied
• Additional cleaning between occupants
• Floor maintenance or restoration
• Periodic cleaning during an extended sales or leasing period

The right schedule depends on the property’s condition, occupancy and showing activity.

 

How Often Should a Commercial Property Be Cleaned?

There is no universal answer.

Cleaning frequency can depend on:

• Number of employees or occupants
• Daily foot traffic
• Type of business
• Number of restrooms
• Size of the property
• Common-area usage
• High-touch areas
• Condition of the building
• Whether the property is vacant or occupied
• How frequently prospective buyers or tenants are visiting

A heavily occupied commercial building may need recurring janitorial service several times a week or more.

A vacant property may need a concentrated cleaning before photographs and showings, followed by additional service as needed.

The important thing is to establish a cleaning schedule that matches the property rather than paying for a routine that doesn’t fit its actual needs.

 

Scheduling Cleaning Around Showings and Business Hours

Real estate agents often have to coordinate cleaning with employees, tenants, customers and property tours.

That makes scheduling an important part of the cleaning plan.

For an occupied property, cleaning may need to be performed:

• Before business hours
• After business hours
• During low-traffic periods
• Around scheduled showings
• At another mutually agreed-upon time

Vacant properties generally provide more scheduling flexibility.

A professional commercial cleaning company should discuss scheduling before the work begins so everyone understands when the property will be serviced.

 

What Should You Check Before Listing Photos?

Professional photography is one of the first opportunities potential buyers or tenants may have to see the property.

Before photographs are taken, walk through the building and look for anything that could make the space appear less maintained.

Check for:

• Dust on visible surfaces
• Dirty entry doors
• Fingerprints on glass or handles
• Dirty restrooms
• Full trash receptacles
• Dirty break rooms
• Carpet spots
• Scuffed floors
• Dull floors
• Floor buildup
• Visible debris
• Neglected corners
• Unpleasant odors

If the floors are a major concern, don’t assume another round of routine mopping will solve the problem.

If the finish is worn, heavily built up or no longer responding to normal cleaning, ask about professional floor care.

 

What Should You Ask a Commercial Cleaning Company Before Hiring Them?

Real estate agents should not assume that every commercial cleaning company provides the same services.

Before hiring a company, ask exactly what is included.

Questions to ask include:

What areas will you clean?

Make sure the scope covers the areas that matter for your property and its upcoming showings.

Are restrooms included?

Confirm exactly what restroom cleaning includes.

Are break rooms and common areas included?

Don’t assume these spaces are automatically part of the service.

Are floors included?

Ask whether routine floor cleaning is included and whether specialized floor care is available when needed.

How often should the property be cleaned?

The answer should be based on occupancy, traffic, property condition and showing requirements.

Can you work around business hours and showings?

Scheduling can be critical when a building is occupied.

Can you provide a one-time cleaning before photographs or showings?

Some properties need a concentrated cleaning project rather than recurring service.

What happens if the property needs additional work?

Ask how the company handles areas that require additional cleaning or specialized services.

Getting the scope clearly defined helps prevent misunderstandings and gives the agent a better idea of what the property will receive.

 

Preparing a Commercial Property for Sale or Lease?

If you’re a real estate agent preparing a commercial property for the market, don’t wait until the first showing to discover that the building needs more attention than expected.

A professional walkthrough can help identify the areas that need cleaning, the frequency that makes sense for the property, and whether the floors need specialized care in addition to routine janitorial service.

A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning provides commercial cleaning and professional floor-care services for businesses and commercial properties in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, Lewisville and surrounding areas.

Whether you need a one-time cleaning before professional photographs, cleaning before a major showing, recurring janitorial service, or commercial floor stripping and waxing, the first step is determining what the property actually needs.

Call A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning to discuss the property and request a commercial cleaning or floor-care quote.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Cleaning for Properties Being Sold or Leased

How much does commercial cleaning cost before selling or leasing a property?

The cost depends on factors such as the size of the property, its condition, the number of areas being cleaned, the amount of buildup, the type of flooring, the scope of work and whether the cleaning is a one-time service or recurring.

The best way to determine the cost is to have the property evaluated and receive a quote based on the actual scope of work.

Should a commercial property be professionally cleaned before listing it for sale?

In many situations, professional cleaning can help present the property in a more maintained condition before photographs and showings. The appropriate level of cleaning depends on the property’s current condition and what prospective buyers are likely to see.

Should I have the property cleaned before professional photographs are taken?

It can make sense to schedule cleaning before professional photography, particularly when visible dirt, dust, restroom conditions or floor appearance could show up in photographs.

Does commercial cleaning include floor stripping and waxing?

Routine commercial cleaning and floor stripping and waxing are different services. Depending on the property and floor condition, specialized floor care may need to be quoted separately.

How do I know if a commercial floor needs stripping and waxing?

Warning signs can include dullness, yellowing, heavy finish buildup, stubborn scuffs, uneven appearance and a finish that no longer responds to routine cleaning.

A professional floor-care evaluation can help determine whether stripping and refinishing is appropriate for the particular floor.

How often should a commercial property be cleaned while it is being marketed?

It depends on whether the property is occupied, how much traffic it receives, how often it is being shown and how quickly the property becomes dirty. A vacant building may need periodic service, while an occupied facility may require recurring janitorial cleaning.

Can commercial cleaning be scheduled around property showings?

Yes. Cleaning schedules can often be coordinated around business hours, tenant activity, low-traffic periods and scheduled property tours. The schedule should be discussed before service begins.

What areas should a real estate agent prioritize before a showing?

Start with entrances, lobbies, reception areas, restrooms, hallways, common areas, break rooms and floors. These are among the areas that can receive significant attention during a property tour.

Should a vacant commercial property still be cleaned?

Yes, depending on its condition and how long it has been vacant. Dust, debris, odors and neglected restrooms or floors can accumulate even when a building isn’t occupied.

Can one company handle both commercial cleaning and floor care?

Some commercial cleaning companies provide both routine janitorial cleaning and specialized floor-care services. When preparing a property for sale or lease, having both needs evaluated can simplify the process and help ensure that routine cleaning isn’t being used as a substitute for necessary floor restoration.

 

Need a Commercial Property Cleaned Before a Showing?

If you’re a real estate agent, property owner or property manager preparing a commercial property for sale or lease, A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning can help determine what the property needs before buyers or tenants walk through the door.

From one-time commercial cleaning to recurring janitorial service and professional floor stripping and waxing, the work can be planned around the property’s condition, schedule and intended use.

Don’t wait until the morning of the showing to discover the property needs more work.

Call A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning today to discuss the property and request a quote for commercial cleaning or floor care.