Why Cleaning Costs Vary So Much
Commercial cleaning isn't one-size-fits-all. A general office with standard trash-and-vacuum needs costs significantly less than a medical office requiring terminal disinfection and compliance documentation. The right question isn't "how much per square foot?" — it's "what does my facility actually need, and how do I avoid paying for work that isn't getting done?"
The Biggest Factors That Affect Your Price
When evaluating cleaning proposals or building a budget, these are the variables that matter most:
- Facility Type — Medical, surgical, and childcare environments require specialized chemicals, training, and compliance protocols that general offices don't. Higher regulatory standards mean higher service requirements
- Cleaning Frequency — The more nights per week you need service, the higher the monthly cost. But less frequent cleaning often leads to deeper buildup and higher per-visit costs when you do clean
- Scope of Work — Are you covering just trash and vacuuming, or do you need restroom sanitization, kitchen service, floor care, and supply restocking? A detailed scope prevents both overpaying and under-servicing
- Quality Verification — A vendor who sends a crew with no oversight will always be cheaper than a service that independently audits every clean. But unverified cleaning is the most expensive option long-term
- Building Size & Layout — Larger facilities benefit from efficiency gains, but complex layouts with many small rooms cost more per square foot than open floor plans
How to Avoid Overpaying
The most common reason facilities overpay for cleaning is poor scope definition. Without a detailed written scope, you're paying for what the vendor thinks you need — not what you actually need. Here's how to get the right price:
- Get a walkthrough-based scope — Never accept a quote based solely on square footage. A qualified vendor should walk your facility room by room and document exactly what's needed
- Define frequencies by area — Not every room needs the same attention every night. High-traffic areas may need nightly service; storage rooms may need weekly
- Consolidate vendors — Using one managed service for multiple needs (cleaning, floor care, pest control) reduces overhead and typically costs less than hiring separate vendors for each
- Include quality verification — The cheapest bid with no quality control is the most expensive option long-term. Missed cleans and re-work cost more than doing it right the first time
The Hidden Cost of "Cheap" Cleaning
Low-bid cleaning vendors cut corners in predictable ways: they skip rooms, reduce dwell time on disinfectants, thin out crew sizes, and provide zero oversight. The result is inconsistent quality, tenant complaints, and eventual re-bidding — which costs more in time and frustration than paying for a properly managed service from the start.