What kind of commercial building do you need cleaning for? An office, medical facility, warehouse, restaurant, retail store, or something else? No matter which variety of commercial building needs cleaning, we’re here to help you anticipate the costs.

Cleanliness is vital to meeting health and safety standards in every commercial building. But some types of spaces have more demanding standards than others, such as medical or food and beverage.

Do industry-specific cleaning standards affect commercial cleaning companies’ prices? How do square footage, specialty areas, and features of the building factor in? Do I have the option of a flat rate? 

Below, we’re answering all these questions and more.

Commercial Cleaning Prices: What Goes into the Calculation?

How much should it cost to clean my commercial building? Nationally, commercial cleaning company rates vary widely depending on several factors. But understanding the average cost doesn’t necessarily answer your specific question.

Because as you know, commercial buildings vary widely in purpose and size as well as furniture, fixtures, and building materials. All of these elements of a commercial building- size, purpose, cleaning frequency, and materials -impact cleaning costs.

Here’s how:

Square Footage

First, we’ll cover how to roughly calculate your cleaning costs based on the size of your commercial facility. Typically, professional cleaners charge by the square foot up to a certain threshold, charging less per square foot for extremely large buildings. The larger your space, the more economical the per-square-foot rate typically becomes.

Beyond Price Per Square Foot: Other Factors Affecting Commercial Cleaning Rates

There are several additional variables involved in calculating commercial cleaners’ prices, such as job intensiveness, staffing, or high-demand areas and surfaces:

Job Intensiveness

When a job is harder or more complicated, it requires more staff, labor, and supplies, which drives up costs. A very small space may also have a disproportionately high cost if the floor plan is cramped, or has many cubicles/office rooms, making it trickier to clean efficiently.

Cleaning Frequency

The longer your office goes without cleaning, the more dirt, dust, and germs will accumulate. Translating into more cleaning work personnel have to do per visit. One-time cleanings tend to be the most expensive commercial cleaning company services.

So, although more frequent cleanings might add up to higher costs overall, each visit is a quicker, easier job, and costs less individually. 

For instance, four full cleanings per month might cost less overall than eight full cleanings per month. But those eight monthly commercial cleanings cost less per visit, plus your commercial building is generally cleaner.

Windows and Luxury Spaces

Most commercial cleaning companies count windows and other features separately from the rest of the cleaning job’s pricing. 

Since each window takes extra, individual attention to wipe away all dust, smudges, or fingerprints, window cleaning is typically charged as an additional service. This cost will probably be greater for hard-to-reach windows located up high.

Similarly, spaces with extremely high ceilings cost extra, due to extra risk, work, and equipment such as ladders. 

Also, finer fixtures, furniture, and building materials may necessitate extra care, specialized cleaning products, and more work. Therefore, luxury spaces can have higher commercial cleaning costs.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

The standard high-traffic and extra germy parts of a commercial building include kitchens and bathrooms. Here, there’s an increased prevalence of germs and mess, so they need more intensive cleaning procedures.

So restrooms, employee kitchens, and break rooms will typically cost more to clean and are often calculated separately from the rest of the building. Depending on the cleaning company’s pricing structure, these specialized areas may be priced per room, per square foot, or per fixture.

Commercial Cleaning in Unique Industries

If you have a particularly unique or specialized space, check with a commercial cleaning company to verify they serve your type of business and to find out about pricing differences. 

Here are some of the facilities with demanding cleaning standards that impact the overall cost of cleaning:

Square Footage Considerations: How Much Will it Cost?

  • Smaller buildings (up to 12,000 sq. ft.) typically have a higher per-square-foot rate
  • Larger buildings (up to 40,000 sq. ft.) generally receive more economical rates per square foot
  • Extremely large facilities often qualify for bulk pricing discounts

Special Features That May Affect Pricing:

  • Concrete/tile scrubbing requires specialized equipment and techniques
  • Floor polishing/waxing involves multiple steps and specialized materials
  • Marble/terrazzo refinishing requires expert handling and special care
  • Carpet shampooing/extraction uses different equipment than standard cleaning
  • Window cleaning is typically priced separately based on the number and accessibility

Kitchen/Restroom Considerations:

  • These high-traffic areas require more intensive cleaning
  • May be priced per room, per square foot, or per fixture
  • Often require special sanitizing products and procedures

Commercial Cleaning Price Factors By Building Size:

  • Very small spaces (0-1,000 sq. ft.)
  • Small offices (1,000-5,000 sq. ft.)
  • Medium-sized facilities (5,000-10,000 sq. ft.)
  • Larger buildings (10,000-20,000 sq. ft.)
  • Very large facilities (20,000-40,000 sq ft.)”

Do Some Commercial Cleaners Have Flat Rates?

In some cases, cleaning companies offer flat rates. Most commonly, you’ll see a flat rate per square foot and a fixed monthly rate. Small offices typically pay significantly less per month than larger facilities, with prices scaling according to size and cleaning requirements.

FAQs About the Cost of Commercial Cleaners

How do cleaning companies base their rates for cleaning commercial buildings?

Commercial cleaners’ rates for commercial buildings are usually per square foot and occasionally fixed by the month. There are exceptions for kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and special spaces/services/materials.

How much do office cleaning services usually cost in the U.S.?

The cost of professional office cleaners varies widely depending on location, building size, and specific cleaning requirements.

Is hiring a commercial cleaning company worth the cost?

Commercial cleaning is preferable, and in some industries mandatory, so it’s worth the cost to uphold health and safety standards while improving business productivity. In many cases, hiring commercial cleaners is more cost-effective than in-house professional cleaners.

What Will it Cost to Clean Your Commercial Building?

The final cost might vary in your area or industry, but now you have a better idea of what your commercial building cleaning will cost. Equipped with more knowledge about the potentially fair price range for cleaning your facility, you can inquire and compare companies more efficiently.

Especially if your industry or building is highly specialized, calling for a free, custom quote will give you the most accurate cost estimate.

By Bill Law
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