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Dump years of old SOP files into Claude and have it combine them into one operations manual, cleaning SOPs and inspection reports

who Thomas Dodson, owner of Classic Clean Company in south central Kentucky (residential cleaning, janitorial, post-construction, window cleaning, pressure washing and soft washing), on the Huge Transformations Podcast

The problem

After 10 years the company had SOPs written seven, eight or ten years ago in one place and newer material somewhere else, so the manual, the cleaning SOPs and the inspection reports didn't line up, and staff sometimes got marked down for things nobody had taught them.

What happened

Work in progress when he spoke: he expects "a huge benefit" to productivity and worker satisfaction once everything is consistent, so a cleaner who follows the manual is checked against the same standard in inspections. That benefit is his expectation, not a measured result. Owner-told.

Quoted in the source: Thomas Dodson, owner, Classic Clean Company. Source: Huge Transformations Podcast: 44: The Thomas Dodson Episode (2026-06-15) · Added 2026-10-19.

How to set it up yourself

1. What Classic Clean does: years of old SOP files go into Claude, which combines them into one draft, and the owners mark by hand what to cut, change or update so the manual, the cleaning SOPs and the inspection reports match.
2. Gather every version you have: the old manual, SOPs per facility type, checklists and inspection forms. Remove client names, alarm codes and anything personal before you upload.
3. In a Claude Project, upload them and use the prompt below, one section at a time (for example, office cleaning first), so you can check each part properly.
4. Print or share the draft, mark it up with your managers, then make the inspection report use the same steps and wording as the SOP it checks.

Copy-paste prompt

I've uploaded our old operations manual, cleaning SOPs and inspection forms for {COMPANY NAME}, a cleaning company. Combine everything about {SECTION, e.g. office cleaning} into one up-to-date SOP: steps in order, supplies, time per area, and what 'done' looks like. Where two documents disagree, show both versions and ask me which is current; don't pick one. Then write a matching inspection checklist that checks exactly those steps. Mark anything you're unsure about as [CHECK].

Tools used

Some tool links may be affiliate links. Disclosure

Checked prices: Claude: from $17/mo billed annually ($20 monthly) (verified 2026-10-18)

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