Three quotes labelled “exterior building cleaning” may describe three different jobs. One might cover only the front wall; another might include all elevations and exterior glass; a third might add a stain-treatment allowance. A lower total is not evidence of poor work, and a longer proposal is not automatically better value.

This guide focuses on comparing offers already received. If you are still deciding what your property needs, start with our condo cleaning budget and scope guide.

Three hypothetical quotes for the same building

These are teaching examples, not real bids, customer jobs or market prices. Imagine a condo board wants all exterior wall elevations washed, entrance glass cleaned and a marked rust stain assessed separately. No quote below is the automatic winner.

Quote A needs a scope revision before its total is comparable. Quote B needs its equipment allowance explained. Quote C needs the required options assembled into one comparison total. None of these differences proves that a contractor is unsuitable; they identify what the board needs to clarify.

1. Give every contractor the same boundaries

Use one marked-up building photo or elevation plan. Name the front, rear and side walls; identify height limits, recessed entrances, canopies and surfaces behind landscaping. List glass, frames, balconies, walkways and other areas separately instead of relying on “complete exterior.”

For each surface, record its material, visible buildup and any known damaged coating or access restriction. If a contractor proposes a different method, ask why it suits that material. Comparable scopes do not require identical equipment; they require the same agreed outcome and clearly stated limitations.

Yellow Wash’s commercial building wash uses methods selected for the surface. Specialist stain removal is included only when specified in the scope. Do not assume rust, mineral deposits or oxidation are covered by a general wash.

2. Separate fixed work, options and allowances

A fixed price, a provisional allowance and hourly work should not share an unexplained total. Ask what is included, what remains uncertain and who must authorize additional work. If an item is excluded, mark it “excluded”; if the proposal says nothing, mark it “not stated.” Those answers are different.

For your comparison, use the required cleaning plus required priced extras, then show taxes consistently. Keep optional work and unresolved allowances visible on separate lines. Do not invent an amount for something that has not been priced. BDC’s purchasing guidance likewise recommends considering supplier charges, taxes and payment terms alongside the stated cost. [1]

3. Compare what the building must provide

A quote can depend on residents moving vehicles, management issuing notices, an unlocked service area or an available water supply. Record each responsibility and its deadline. Ask what happens if the agreed access is unavailable: does the area get omitted, rescheduled or charged as a return visit?

For Halifax and HRM fall appointments, ask each bidder how weather delays affect scheduling and resident notices. Do not compare a flexible work window with a guaranteed date as if they were the same commitment. Our resident-notice guide helps once the access plan is agreed.

4. Check how the result will be reviewed

Ask who performs the work, who supervises it and whom the manager contacts if something needs attention. Request relevant experience and current insurance documentation for review against your building’s requirements. A statement such as “fully insured” does not describe the particular coverage on its own.

Agree how completion is checked: included surfaces visited, photos where useful, remaining marks documented and a process for reporting concerns. For uncertain stains or delicate finishes, discuss a test area before promising a uniform result. Cleaning is not repair, repainting or a guarantee that every mark will disappear.

A comparison table you can reuse

Copy this table into your board notes and enter each contractor’s written answer. Use “included,” “excluded,” “not stated” or the actual quoted amount. On a phone, swipe horizontally to see all three quote columns.

Send this clarification to all three providers

Share the same scope revision and questions with every bidder. You do not need to forward a competitor’s confidential proposal to explain your requirements. Keep the final responses with the board’s decision so the selected scope can be checked at handover.

Choose the best fit after the gaps are closed

If all three offers meet the required scope, compare the confirmed total alongside access arrangements, relevant experience, communication and follow-up. A smaller, clearly defined job may be the right choice if that is all the building needs. Avoid paying for extra work simply because it appears in a larger package.