The short answer
Per-service contracts fit one-off needs. Annual programs fit buildings with recurring needs and price lower per visit. Portfolio agreements fit owners and managers with many buildings who want one contract, one invoice and one point of contact.
Side by side
| Per-service | Annual program | Portfolio agreement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Each job scoped and priced alone | Set services and cadence for the year | One contract across every location |
| Price per visit | Highest | Lower, because regular service prevents buildup | Recurring program pricing, applied across buildings |
| Admin effort | A quote and invoice per job | One schedule per building | One contract, one invoice, one contact |
| Best for | Post-construction cleanup, restoration, a first clean | Single buildings with recurring needs | Multi-site owners and managers |
When per-service fits
- One-time or irregular work
- A first clean before a program starts
- Restoration projects scoped on their own
When an annual program fits
- Recurring services such as window cleaning, washing and sweeping
- Buildings that need to show well all year
- Predictable budgets by quarter
When a portfolio agreement fits
- Many buildings, often across markets
- A need for the same standard everywhere
- Less vendor management: one certificate of insurance review, one safety standard, one invoice
The common hybrid
An annual or portfolio program for recurring work, with restoration and one-off projects priced per service on top.
What an annual contract should say
- Scope per visit, per building
- Cadence and seasonal windows
- Add-on prices
- Escalators and term
- Cancellation terms
- One point of contact
S&K runs recurring programs and multi-site programs on a single contract and invoice, with the same standard at every location. See multi-site and franchise programs.
Plan the whole program with the Exterior Maintenance Planning and Budgeting guide, or share your buildings and we will turn them into a tailored annual plan and a quote.
