Is Your Business Getting a Fair Cleaning Quote?

Janitorial services revenue in the U.S reached $61 billion in 2018. Most of this revenue is generated by commercial enterprises such as schools, healthcare establishments, office, churches and more.

But how can you be sure that the commercial cleaning services rates you've seen are fair?

First, you need to understand that average commercial cleaning prices vary greatly. There are many factors that affect cleaning rates. Read on to find out what those factors are and what a fair quote looks like.

Size of Location

The number one factor that affects the commercial cleaning prices you can expect is the size of your building.

Many times companies base their cleaning cost per square foot. Or if they base it on an hourly rate, larger buildings will obviously take more time than small office spaces.

Time It Takes to Clean Your Commerical Space

The office cleaning rates per hour you get will also depend on how long it will take to clean your space.

If you need a cleaning company to come during work hours, it will take longer for them to clean as they try to work around employees. So your cost will go up.

Whether you need light cleaning or deep cleaning will also affect your price.

The Number of Windows, Bathrooms, and Kitchens

Commercial cleaning rates also take into account the number of bathrooms, kitchens, and windows at your site.

These features are time-consuming to clean compared to hallways, offices and waiting rooms.

The more high-traffic areas on your commercial space, the higher the total cost for janitorial services you can expect to pay.

If your rates are higher than a neighboring commercial building, consider if your layout is the same. If not, you can't expect the same commercial cleaning prices.

The Number of Cleaning Tasks

Commercial cleaning prices, whether by the hour or square foot, take into account the number of tasks you need to be done per visit.

There's a large range of services beyond sweeping and taking out garbages. You can opt to have cleaners wipe down the outside of appliances, wash any dishes in the sink and restock the paper towel and toilet paper holders.

Watering plants, removing stains on carpets and polishing furniture are all options, too.

Other Factors That Affect Commercial Cleaning Services Rates

There are a few other factors that have an impact on the cost of your cleaning rates. Some of them are things you have no control over.

Competition

If you live in a large urban metropolis, there is bound to be a lot of competition for cleaning companies.

Chances are that each will choose to offer competitive prices to secure your business.

Cost of Living in Your Area

The cost of living in your area will also impact your commercial cleaning rates. The higher the cost of living in your city, the more you will get charged.

That's just part of the price of living in certain parts of the country.

Do You Provide Your Own Cleaning Supplies?

Most commercial cleaning companies bring their own cleaning supplies. They build the cost of these materials into their office cleaning rates per hour or square footage.

Providing your own cleaning supplies could save you some money. Especially if you can buy what you need in bulk. But sometimes, it is more economical to have the cleaners use their own supplies.

Talk to your facilities cleaning service provider to see if providing your own supplies is worth it for you.

Is Your Cleaning Quote Fair?

Now that you understand the variables that impact commercial cleaning services rates, let's talk about your quote.

Make sure you always get a commercial cleaning quote in writing. Most companies will send someone to inspect your space before giving you a quote. That way the quote is reasonable for the space and amount of work needed.

To make sure that you are getting a fair quote, get at least three estimates.

When you compare these quotes, don't just pick the lowest one.

Consider the type of equipment the cleaning company will use. Ask about the employees that will do the work and the supervision they will have. Find out how employees are screened.

You may want to ask about environmentally friendly product use and if you need to sign a contract.

Of course, it's vital to make sure that the cleaning company you hire is licensed and bonded. Make sure to get proof before you use their services.

Commercial Cleaning Services Rates

As there are so many variables, it's hard to list an average price for commercial cleaning.

But these prices will give you a ballpark idea.

If you are paying hourly, you can expect to pay between $20 and $30 an hour for commercial cleaning.

If your service provider charges by square footage, you can expect to pay between 5 and 55 cents per square foot. Generally the larger the office, the lower the cost per square foot.

Most cleaning companies charge separately for extra tasks such as waxing floors and stain removal on carpets.

Medical or health care facilities require specialized cleaning and are usually at the higher end of the price range.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article has helped you understand commercial cleaning services rates a little better.

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