Keeping an office building, retail store, medical facility, or other commercial space sparkling clean is essential for healthy, safe environments. While in-house janitorial staff can provide maintenance-specific cleaning services, hiring professional commercial cleaning companies offers whole-building services saving clients valuable time and hassle. Assessing average commercial cleaning prices and understanding which key aspects drive costs help managers find the right service fit.
Average Commercial Cleaning Rates Per Square Foot
Most commercial cleaning services base quotes on the total square footage cleaned along with commercial cleaning cost factors with service frequency. Exact rates vary by region but national averages as of 2023 are:
Office Cleaning – $0.10 to $0.25 per square foot monthly
Medical Facility Cleaning – $0.13 to $0.30 per square foot monthly
Retail Store Cleaning – $0.08 to $0.20 per square foot monthly
On the lower end, a 5,000-square-foot professional or office space averaging $0.15 per square foot pays about $750 monthly for weekly commercial cleaning.
Medium-sized companies around 20,000 square feet fetch better pricing, perhaps $0.13 per square foot. So they pay $2,600 monthly for nightly cleaning.
Larger commercial facilities like a 100,000-square-foot warehouse expect even better rates thanks to economies of scale. Billed at $0.10 per square foot, monthly cleaning costs equal $10,000.
Cleaning frequencies ranging from daily, nightly, bi-weekly, or weekly determine total monthly costs based on labor hours and supplies needed per building.
Factors Impacting Commercial Cleaning Costs
Several factors account for fluctuating price points when requesting bids from various cleaning companies. Considerations include:
Facility Type & Size
Larger commercial spaces over 100,000+ square feet secure more affordable commercial cleaning rates chart based on efficiencies of scale. According to 2023 data published by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, typical commercial office cleaning costs range between $0.10 – $0.40 per cleanable square foot area.
Cleaning Frequency
Daily cleaning requires greater staff hours than bi-weekly or weekly visits. More frequent visits mean higher monthly fees as cleaners need consistent staffing, supplies, and oversight.
Scope of Services
General cleaning like vacuuming, floor mopping, and trash removal falls on the low end of rates while specialized cleaning services medical facilities or food industry cleaning incorporate sanitization requirements.
Specialized Services
Add-ons like pressure washing, carpet shampooing, window cleaning, or construction site cleaning demand specialized equipment and technicians therefore higher quotes.
Regional Labor Rates
The cleaning industry relies heavily on human capital. So average regional worker wages and cost of living adjustments impact how many employees and commercial cleaning rates to attract qualified staff.
Cleaning Chemicals Used
Commercial cleaners selecting greener eco-friendly options may charge slightly elevated rates if sustainable supplies cost more than generic chemical variants.
Average Cleaning Prices For Different Commercial Spaces
While exact rates fluctuate based on the above factors, here are rough ballpark quotes for common commercial facility cleaning:
Office Cleaning
From private law firms to sprawling corporate campuses, office cleaning represents a major commercial cleaning services sector. For 10,000+ square foot buildings, expect roughly $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot for nightly or weekly light and janitorial services and cleaning consisting of:
Trash and Recycling Removal
Emptying central bins from conference rooms, break areas, individual workstations, lobby welcome centers, and private offices
Collection sorting into dedicated eco-friendly recycling streams
Changing plastic liners and wiping debris from existing bins
Consolidating larger bags for seamless removal through loading docks
Thorough Vacuuming
Clearing all reachable floor areas using commercial-grade vacuums with HEPA filtration
Moving light furniture pieces like chairs and small tables to fully access dirt below
Carefully vacuuming underneath desks, inside cubicles, and hard-to-reach corners
Quickly addressing any minor spills spotted and notifying management of larger issues
Sanitary Restroom Hygiene
Fully stocking toilet paper rolls, paper towels, hand soaps
Disinfecting countertops, toilet bowls, bathroom doorknobs
Sweeping and mopping floors
Taking out trash bags tied off tightly
Deep scrubbing sinks, faucets, shower stalls, replacing air fresheners
Tidy Break Rooms & Kitchenettes
Loading dishes left in sinks into commercial dishwasher
Wiping down counters, tables, and hard surfaces
Sweeping and mopping floors
Trash removal and new bin liners
Dusting vents above refrigerators and microwaves
Proactively restocking paper supplies
Surface Dusting and Disinfection
Wiping down lobby chairs, directory kiosks, guard stations
Topping off wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers
Lifting paperwork and files to dust underneath
Disinfecting telephones, desktops, keyboards
Dusting baseboards, vents, overhead lighting, and fixtures
Medical Office Cleaning
Protecting staff and patients means medical settings like clinics, surgery centers, and doctors’ offices require vigilant cleaning to meet healthcare industry standards. Hospital-grade disinfectants and stringent protocols result in elevated rates of around $0.20 to $0.30 per square foot monthly.
Retail Cleaning Services
Customer-facing locations must present clean, visually appealing shopping environments. Department stores, malls, boutiques, and strip center retail cleaning quotes averaging $0.10 per hour up to $0.25 per square foot depending on foot traffic volume.
Restaurant Cleaning
From fast food chains to upscale dining establishments, eateries generate significant daily debris from food prep, spills, and high guest volume. Restaurant and cleaning company typically charges an hourly rate for daily services averaging $300 to $600 monthly. More culinary equipment and grease buildup equals higher rates.
Industrial Cleaning Services
Warehouses, factories, distribution hubs, and utilities comprise industrial settings needing periodic cleaning tailored to workflows. Fewer occupants than offices or retail means lower per-square-foot rates ranging from $0.08 to $0.15 on average. Some equipment and inventory require specialized cleaning.
Gym & Fitness Studio Cleaning
Wellness centers with pools, locker rooms, exercise equipment, and studios need germ-conscious cleaning given patron sweat and contact. The 24/7 operation and hygiene demands result in monthly cleaning rates from $500 and up.
What Influences Specific Commercial Cleaning Services Pricing?
On top of the base rate for routine and professional cleaning services, certain jobs like carpets, windows or construction sites incur additional service costs based on various factors:
Carpet Cleaning
Charged by the square foot depending on:
Method – steam, bonnet, or dry compound
Traffic volume
Furniture moving
Stain removal
Typical rates run $0.05 to $0.20 per square foot.
Floor Waxing & Buffing
Usually charged hourly or per square foot depending on:
Floor area size
Type – VCT tile, stone, concrete
Materials used – acrylic, polymer wax
Equipment needed – weighted floor buffer
Approximate range is $0.05 per sq ft to $0.15 per square foot.
Pressure Washing
Several elements comprise exterior pressure wash pricing:
Building height
Access difficulty
Exterior square footage
A mix of glass, concrete, stone, etc
The average cost of a single-story 5,000 sq ft building starts around $100. High-rise office towers cost thousands.
Post Construction Cleaning
General contractors hire subcontractor cleaning crews for detailed site interior build cleanings after finishing major renovations or ground-up construction. Bid pricing factors include:
Type of cleaning – dust wipe down, debris removal, finish ready, broom sweep certified
Building size
If assets remain on-site
Cleaning materials permitted based on building ownership
Quotes are provided on a case-by-case basis.
Window Cleaning
Charged per pane inside and out reflecting elements like:
Pane count
Height/stories
Specialized equipment
Environmental factors
Typical range is $3 to $12 per interior glass pane. Exterior higher based on difficulty.
Janitorial Staffing
Some organizations hire commercial cleaning companies solely for reliable employee staffing. Cost markups on quoted staffer hourly rates account for elements like:
Insurance
Bonding
Payroll/Taxes
Training
Equipment
Government wage standard rules often dictate baseline janitorial pay rates.
Being aware of the factors comprising cleaning rates for different building types and services allows managers to compare bids apples-to-apples.
How to Choose the Right Commercial Cleaning Service
Selecting a partner to maintain cleanliness across office buildings, medical centers, retail stores or other properties carries great responsibility. Prioritizing worker expertise along with patron health and safety through stringent cleaning protocols saves hassle long-term.
Follow this criteria when evaluating area service providers bidding on your business premises:
Assess Company Stability & Experience
Seek established providers with 5+ years of actively servicing local businesses similar to yours. Request evidence of proper business licensure, liability insurance certificates, and workers’ compensation policies remain active.
Vet Hiring & Screening Standards
Ask about requirements for past experience, reference checks, multi-point background clearances, and drug testing. Reputable agencies only dispatch carefully selected personnel upholding the highest ethical standards who reliably represent your brand.
Compare Cleaning Checklists & Processes
Do side-by-side comparisons of included tasks against your location’s needs. Validate bidders thoroughly detail shiny floor vacuuming, sanitary restroom wiping, germ-busting disinfectant usage plus accelerated attention targeting high traffic zones.
Contrast Equipment & Supply Inventory
Ask for an inventory listing of commercial machinery like auto-scrubbers for accessing tall or expansive areas along with ample latex gloves, microfiber cloths, and enough all-purpose cleaner volume to fulfill scheduled visits.
Request Copies to Compare Service Bids
Secure an accurate visual reference of key quoted specifics including basic tasks, specialty add-ons like carpet services, approximate commercial cleaning cost, staff hours anticipated, and projected annual investment.
Discuss Staffing Philosophies
Know whether crews reflect full-time employed W-2 cleaners instilled with company pride versus independent subcontractor models potentially resulting in inconsistent quality.
Verify Happy Current Clients
While testimonials posted on company websites serve a marketing purpose, also inquire about contacts for at least 3 references actively serviced for 1+ years validating responsive account management and satisfactory outcomes.
Questions to Ask For Transparent Pricing
Because specific client needs vary so widely, reputable cleaning firms provide customized quotes after facility walkthroughs detailing:
Square footage
Cleaning frequency
Number of cleaners per visit
Exact services included/excluded
Line item specialty service costs
Total monthly/annual estimate
Get upfront about true commercial cleaning costs by asking:
Are supplies & equipment included or extra fees?
What employee screening processes do you follow?
Can you share referrals from current similar clients?
Are cleaners W-2 employees or subcontracted?
What insurance policies does your company carry?
How often are employees trained?
How are misses or complaints addressed?
How can we best customize scheduling around our needs?
What green equipment & supplies do you use?
Established commercial cleaning services happily clarify pricing and provide obligation-free quotes. Finding ones taking pride in their work ensures your premises shine while freeing up valued time for core business needs.
In Summary
Partnering with professional cleaning companies specialized in maintaining different commercial spaces offers a budget-friendly solution. Rather than obsess over minor rate variations in bids, focus discussions on the exact service scopes proposed. Seek providers enumerating detailed task checklists, equipment inventory lists, and transparency around hiring processes. These practices reveal more about true commercial cleaning job quality than pure price points alone.
Prioritize working with responsive teams answering your unique usage needs versus vague promises of rock bottom rates. Consistently clean, sanitized properties ultimately save companies far larger sums through higher productivity, workplace safety, and elevated patron experiences driving revenue. Keep an eye on the deeper organizational benefits commercial cleaning facilitates rather than purely initial price comparisons.
