A business might succeed or fail based on the pricing of its commercial cleaning services. The pricing must represent your time, effort and value while staying competitive. If you are starting your cleaning company or want to tweak an existing pricing structure, knowing these key cost factors (square footage, type of facility, service frequency, labor rates and overhead) is necessary. Transparent pricing guarantees your long-term financial performance and fosters client trust.
We’ll cover industry standards & pricing models (hourly & flat rate), & tips on creating custom quotes for client needs & your max profitability. Additionally, you will learn how to structure your price to highlight value, professionalism, and high-quality services.
1. Understand the Scope of Work
Before setting prices, evaluate the commercial space size, condition, and requirements. Different businesses have different cleaning needs:
- Offices may require dusting, vacuuming, sanitizing, and trash removal.
- Medical clinics might need deeper disinfection and compliance with sanitation standards.
- Retail spaces may demand frequent window and floor cleaning.
Write down tasks to be completed during each visit on a checklist. Also, figure frequency – daily, weekly or monthly – and time needed per session. This scope affects your labour, products used and eventually, the price. Greater buildings with high foot traffic will naturally cost more because cleaning is more intensive.
Free walkthrough assessments help you understand the space and get a quote tailored to your needs. Document each service to establish expectations and justify rates.
2. Choose a Pricing Model That Works
The commercial cleaning sector uses a number of conventional pricing structures. Choosing the right one depends on your business goals and the client’s expectations:
- Hourly Rate: Ideal for smaller jobs or when the scope is unclear. Depending on geography and skill, rates usually range from $25 to $60 per hour.
- Flat Rate per Job: Suitable for regular contracts with predictable workloads. You can offer packages like “Weekly Office Cleaning: $300/month.”
- Per Square Foot: Common in large-scale jobs. Rates may range from $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot, depending on the cleaning intensity required.
Some businesses charge by square footage and adjust rates haphazardly for peculiar demands or high foot traffic zones. Transparency remains crucial regardless of model specifics. Break down costs thoroughly for clients, grasping exactly where their cash goes from sweat equity through lumber and supplies.
3. Factor in Labor and Time Costs
Labor is your highest cost when running a cleaning service. Calculate the number of workers & time for each task—estimate using time tracking from previous jobs.
For example, if two employees clean a 5,000 ft. office for 3 hours at $18/hour, you have a labor expense of $108. Overhead, travel time, profit margin – all this on top of that.
Factor in hidden time costs (equipment setup, commuting, and administrative tasks). Underquote means burnout & lost profits—track time per job type & update pricing quarterly with real data.
Buffers for overtime or unanticipated issues can save your business last-minute losses and help keep your team motivated.
Include Costs for Supplies and Equipment
Commercial cleaning pricing should factor in the costs of supplies and maintenance of various equipment and tools thoroughly. Expenses on individual jobs seem negligible but rapidly increase across many clients.
Break your product usage into categories:
- General cleaning: Surface sprays, mop heads, trash liners.
- Specialty cleaning: Disinfectants, HEPA filters, floor polishers.
- Equipment maintenance: Repairs, replacements, and cleaning machines.
You could charge a supply fee individually, or you could charge it at your hourly or per-square-foot rate. Good stuff costs more but is a great upsell for environmentally conscious businesses.
Also, PPE costs for post-pandemic cleaning protocols (gloves, masks, sanitizers), especially for healthcare or commercial high-traffic areas, should be considered.
5. Consider Frequency and Contract Length
Offering discounts for recurring contracts is a strategic way to secure long-term clients. While a one-time clean may cost $300, you might offer weekly cleaning at $1,000/month instead of $1,200, providing value and stability for both parties.
Clients value consistency and may be willing to commit to more extended contracts when incentives are provided. Offer:
- Monthly, quarterly, or annual contracts
- Discounts for auto-pay clients
- Loyalty perks like free deep cleaning after 6 months
Ensure your pricing reflects this commitment. The more frequent the cleanings, the less labor-intensive each session becomes—enabling you to offer slight discounts without sacrificing profitability.
Always include clear cancellation and renewal clauses in your pricing proposal.
6. Adjust for Location and Market Demand
Business location significantly impacts pricing greatly at times. Rates are markedly higher in large cities like New York and Los Angeles, primarily due to soaring overhead costs and intense market dynamics. However, you may need to remain competitive in smaller towns.
To price competitively in your region:
- Research competitors: Get quotes from 3–5 local providers.
- Check online marketplaces like Thumbtack or Yelp.
- Study the target client type—corporate vs. local small business.
The job location significantly affects workers’ travel time, which in turn influences their wages. It’s essential to consider gas mileage and parking fees carefully when determining service prices today. Services provided in high-demand areas may justify adding a significant travel surcharge or a high minimum service fee to cover logistical costs.
7. Offer Add-On Services for Extra Revenue
Optional add-ons explicitly tailored to client needs can be offered, which noticeably boost the average ticket sizes, which frequently fall outside regular cleaning duties yet provide great value under certain circumstances.
Popular add-ons include:
- Carpet shampooing
- Window washing
- Floor waxing or buffing
- High-touch surface disinfection
- Post-construction cleanup
- Power washing
Bundle these as “Premium Packages” or seasonal upgrades to attract interest. Add-on pricing can be fixed or hourly, but always clarify whether it’s a one-time fee or recurring. Upselling these services increases your income and positions your brand as an all-in-one solution for commercial cleanliness.
Conclusion
Correctly charging for commercial cleaning services isn’t necessarily all about the numbers; it is about understanding your value, cost, and client’s needs. Pick the right pricing model, including all costs and scope changes, when you reassess based on market conditions. Whether you are just starting or refining an existing cleaning company, a strategic pricing structure builds trust, maintains profitability and scales confidently—fear not: update prices as your quality, reputation and demand increase.
FAQs
1. What is the typical commercial cleaning hourly rate?
On average, commercial cleaning services charge $25-USD 60/hour, with a high variation according to location, building type, and service intensity.
2. What is the cost per square foot?
Your earnings will be multiplied by the space size. For example, $0.15/sq. Ft. in a 10,000 sq. ft. office costs $1,500.
3. Will they be charged extra for supplies?
Yes, itemize supply costs or put them in your base rate. Eco-friendly supplies or special cleaners are billed separately.
4. Are long-term contracts affecting pricing?
Yes. Clients that commit to long-term or frequent services may be given discounts. This assures income stability & client loyalty.
5. How do you explain pricing to clients?
Use pro quote or proposal breakdowns, timelines, and optional add-ons. Always define scope and terms clearly in writing.
Also read our Latest Blog Post
