A Starting Frequency Guide
| Space | Typical frequency |
|---|---|
| Lobbies, entries, and mailrooms | 2 to 3 times per week |
| Fitness and amenity rooms | 2 to 3 times per week |
| Hallways and stairwells | Weekly |
| Laundry rooms | Weekly |
| Trash rooms and dumpster areas | Weekly |
| Windows, light fixtures, and detail work | Monthly or quarterly |
These are starting points. A 12-unit building with one entrance needs less than a 200-unit community with a clubhouse and a pool. Adjust for traffic, resident mix, and season.
Adjust for Utah Seasons
Winter changes everything along the Wasatch Front. Snow, salt, and slush get tracked into entries and hallways every day from November through March. Many communities add a visit to entry areas during winter and pull back in summer. In summer, trash areas need more attention because odors build faster in the heat.
Where Prospects Form an Opinion
A prospect's first impression happens before they see the unit. They walk through the entry, the hallway, and maybe the mailroom on the way. Fingerprints on the entry glass and a dirty hallway carpet undercut the newly turned unit you're about to show. Prioritize the path from the parking lot to your model or vacant units.
Write a Scope for Each Building
Vague contracts ("clean common areas weekly") lead to vague work. A good scope lists:
- Each space included
- The tasks in each space (vacuum, mop, wipe rails, clean glass, empty trash)
- How often each task happens
- What's excluded
When something is missed, you can point to the line in the scope instead of having an argument.
Require a Photo Log
If you manage several properties, you can't walk every hallway every week. A photo log after each visit (entry, hallways, laundry, trash area) lets you spot-check from your desk and gives you something to show an owner on a site review.
Combine Common Areas and Turns
If the same vendor handles common areas and vacant unit turns, the crew is already on site and knows the property. Turns get scheduled around regular visits, and you manage one vendor instead of two. Learn more about our multifamily cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should apartment hallways be cleaned?
Weekly is a typical starting point for hallways and stairwells. High-traffic entries and lobbies usually need two to three visits per week, especially in winter.
How is apartment common area cleaning priced?
Usually as a flat monthly rate based on the spaces included, the size of the property, and visit frequency. A walkthrough and written scope come first.
Can the same company clean common areas and turn vacant units?
Yes. Wasatch Site Services handles both, so the crew already knows the property and turns can be scheduled around regular visits.
Get a Common Area Scope
We'll walk your property, write a scope for each building, and quote a flat monthly rate.
Get Portfolio Pricing