blog hero - Tendering for Cleaning Companies
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How to Write a Winning Commercial Cleaning Tenders

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blog hero - Tendering for Cleaning Companies

When writing your proposal or tender response for commercial cleaning tenders, it’s important that you respond in a way that shows the client exactly how you’ll deliver the services if you win the contract.Always remember to demonstrate your ability using your past experiences and outcomes from similar contracts, and likewise the benefits your proposed solution will provide to the client.

Key Elements of a Strong Commercial Cleaning Tender Response

1. Show How You’ll Deliver the Cleaning Contract

When writing your response, don’t just describe your business. Instead, show the client exactly how you’ll deliver services if awarded the contract. Back it up with past experience, case studies, and proven outcomes on similar contracts.

Highlight the benefits of your proposed solution and explain how they directly meet the client’s needs.

 

2. Be competitive in Pricing 

Pricing is critical in the commercial cleaning industry. You must:
  • Understand your profit margin
  • Build your pricing based on the scope of work
  • Clarify whether prices include or exclude GST
  • Show value, not just price

Even if pricing feels obvious to you, clearly explain your model and how it aligns with the client’s requirements.

 

3. Health, Safety, and Compliance Documentation

Compliance is not optional — it’s essential. Your cleaning tender must include:
  • Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies (check out our downloadable WHS guide)
  • Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
  • A documented Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) or at least its table of contents

Don’t forget to address risk management in your submission as it plays a critical role in proving your business can deliver services safely and without disruption. Read our full guide to risk management for cleaning companies in Australia.

These documents build trust and demonstrate your ability to deliver services safely and legally.

4. Methodology: Customise Your Cleaning Approach

Clients want to see how you’ll deliver tailored services. Your methodology section should describe:

  • Step-by-step cleaning processes

  • How you adapt to different site types (e.g., offices, schools, industrial)

  • Site-specific variations in equipment, timing, or staff rotation

These should be customised for every client and be systematic in the way you would deliver the services. 

5. Talk About Your Staff and Training

Your team is your strength. Showcase:

  • Staff training and induction programs

  • Supervisors and team leaders (including their experience)

  • Ongoing quality control measures

Make the client feel confident that your team can deliver consistent, high-quality cleaning services.

 

6. Customer Service and Communication

Your Customer Service can be the tipping point as to whether the client loves your company (or not). Each team member representing your company has the chance every day to make a great impact on the client.  Explain how you will achieve this, and describe your unique service offering, such as 24-hour availability, green cleaning, a business or Contract Manager to liaise directly with the client on outcomes and issues, inspections, or weekly reporting back to the client on deliverables and targets. You could also propose a Service Level Agreement to define and measure the level of service the client can expect. 
 

7. Highlight Technology That Enhances Your Cleaning Services

Think about any IT systems that you might use for Health and Safety, monitoring, purchasing, communication, reporting or secure storage of documents and client information. When describing an overview of the system/s, make sure it is relevant to the contract and that you explain the benefits to the client. 

iAuditor is an inspection software app that is very popular with cleaning and trade companies as it provides options for photos and instant updates for clients.
 
 

Final Thoughts

Developing a good working method is the key to a successful cleaning business. These tips are a guide to help you save time, money and ensure a complete clean at the standard expected from your clients.  
 
So, are you ready to tender? Start searching our database to see just how many opportunities there are in your industry. For help getting started contact us on 1800 934 117 or by email at support@australiantenders.com.au.
 
 

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