Ask three commercial cleaners for a price and you may get three very different answers, none of them easy to compare. That is usually because they are pricing in different ways. Understanding the two main models, and what actually drives the cost, makes it much easier to choose.
The two main ways to price a clean
Hourly billing
You pay a rate for each hour the cleaner works. It looks simple, and it can be fair for jobs where the scope is unclear. The risk is that the bill depends on how long a visit takes, which you cannot easily see or control. A slow day costs more.
Flat fee
You pay one agreed price for an agreed checklist. The cleaner takes on the risk of how long it takes, and you know what the bill will be. The scope has to be clear, because the fee is tied to it. If you ask for something outside the checklist, the price may change, and a good company tells you before it does.
What actually changes the price
- Size of the space. More floor area means more time.
- Number of washrooms. They take the most care, so they weigh heavily in a quote.
- Type of floors. Carpet, tile and hardwood each need different methods and equipment.
- How often you want cleaning. More frequent visits usually mean less work per visit, because the space never gets far behind.
- When the work must happen. Ask whether evenings, overnight and weekends can be arranged, and whether timing affects the price.
- The starting condition. A space that has not been cleaned in a while may need a first deeper clean.
- Extras. Anything beyond a standard checklist is worth pricing separately and agreeing in advance.
Why we do not publish a price list
It is tempting to look for a "per square foot" rate or a standard price for an office. In practice, two offices of the same size can need very different work because of washrooms, floors, traffic and timing. That is why we start with an assessment of your space and then give you a flat fee for the work we agree on. A price without an assessment is a guess.
How to compare quotes fairly
- Ask every company to quote the same written checklist and the same schedule.
- Check whether the price is flat or hourly, and what could change it.
- Ask what is included for supplies and equipment.
- Ask about insurance and ask to see proof.
- Look at the contract terms: length, notice to cancel and any extra charges.
The cheapest quote is rarely the best value. If one price is far lower than the rest, find out what has been left out or how the company can afford it.
Watch out for
- Quotes with no assessment and no written scope.
- Surprise charges for things you assumed were included.
- Long contracts with penalties for leaving.
For more on picking a cleaner, see our list of questions to ask before hiring a commercial cleaning company.
