How to Price an Office Cleaning Job
How to Price an Office Cleaning Job
Title Tag: How to Price an Office Cleaning Job | Clean Town and Country
Meta Description: Learn how to price an office cleaning job accurately with this step-by-step guide from Clean Town and Country. Avoid undercharging and boost profits.
Pricing an office cleaning job correctly ensures your commercial cleaning business stays profitable and competitive. At Clean Town and Country, we serve offices throughout Town and Country, Clayton, Creve Coeur, and nearby areas. Here’s how to break down your costs and quote confidently.
✅ Quick Tip: Office cleaning prices typically range from $0.10 to $0.40 per square foot or $25 to $75 per hour, depending on building size, service frequency, and location. Scroll down for a full pricing breakdown and real examples for Town and Country–area businesses.
Define the Scope of Work
Building size, type, and conditions
Measure the square footage and assess conditions—high-traffic offices with older carpets will require more labor and materials than modern, minimal setups.
Room types and high-traffic areas
Kitchens, breakrooms, and restrooms require more intensive cleaning. These areas may influence labor hours and product usage.
Frequency of service
Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning impacts pricing significantly. More frequent services reduce buildup and require less effort per visit.
Choose a Pricing Structure
By the hour
Charge between $25–$75 per hour depending on job complexity. Use this for small or unpredictable spaces.
By square footage
Standard rates range from $0.10–$0.40/sq ft. For large offices, pricing may lower due to economies of scale.
By task or service type
Ideal for specialized jobs such as post-renovation cleaning, where rates vary by scope.
Flat fees vs. recurring contracts
Offer a single flat rate for one-time cleanings or discounted recurring plans. See monthly or bi-weekly cleaning options.
Calculate Labor Costs
Estimate time per task
Use historical data or time-tracking tools to estimate.
Hourly rate for staff
Include wages and 20% for taxes and insurance. Example: $15/hour becomes $18/hour.
Cleaning team experience
Experienced teams clean faster. Consider this when allocating hours.
Factor in Overhead and Material Costs
Equipment, cleaning solutions, and consumables
Green cleaning supplies typically add $5–$10 per job.
Transportation and admin expenses
Fuel, scheduling software, and admin salaries should be factored into overhead.
Your overhead costs
Typical overhead ranges from 20–25% of total labor.
Add a Markup for Profit
Typical profit margins in commercial cleaning
Aim for 20–30%. Example: A job costing $300 with a 30% markup becomes $390.
Adjusting markup based on competition
Use local market rates to benchmark. In Town and Country, office rates average $0.15–$0.25/sq ft.
Adjust Pricing for Specialized Services
Medical or industrial office cleaning
Requires strict protocols and sanitizing—charge $0.25–$0.40/sq ft or $50–$150/hour.
Deep cleaning or post-construction cleaning
Use move-out or post-renovation rates as reference—typically higher due to effort required.
Eco-friendly or green cleaning
Charge a premium for sustainable products and practices.
Consider Market Conditions and Location
Local wage rates and service demand
Clayton and Ladue may demand higher rates than Olivette or Huntleigh due to office density and competition.
Competitive pricing in your area
Check what others charge in Creve Coeur or Clayton to remain competitive.
Business Type & Cleaning Costs
Professional offices
Standard janitorial services apply; price around $0.12–$0.20/sq ft.
Medical and dental clinics
Charge higher for sanitation needs: $0.25–$0.35/sq ft.
Co-working spaces and call centers
Involve more surface areas and varied usage; adjust hourly rates accordingly.
Commercial Cleaning by Business Size (Per Square Foot)
Average square footage pricing tiers
- Small (<5,000 sq ft): $0.15–$0.20
- Medium (5,000–10,000): $0.13–$0.18
- Large (10,000+): $0.12–$0.16
Example price breakdown for common office sizes
A 7,000 sq ft office at $0.15/sq ft = $1,050 per cleaning.
Commercial Office Cleaning Cost Breakdown
Cost of labor
Most significant expense, often 50–60% of total cost.
Materials and supplies
Typically 5–10% of the job’s cost.
Profit and overhead allocation
Add 25% for overhead, then apply markup.
Commercial Cleaning Services Price List
Daily, weekly, monthly service pricing
Recurring clients receive volume discounts. See weekly service rates.
One-time vs. recurring costs
One-time services priced higher due to setup time and deep cleaning.
Commercial Cleaning Cost Calculator
Use this cleaning calculator to estimate jobs quickly.
Determine the Right Price with the Right Software Tool
Benefits of using cleaning business software
Reduces manual estimating errors and improves quote speed.
Features to look for
Time-tracking, cost calculators, and markup settings.
Different Pricing Strategies for Commercial Cleaning Jobs
Competitive pricing
Match market rates but emphasize service quality.
Value-based pricing
Charge more for superior results, customer care, or green options.
Penetration pricing for new markets
Temporarily lower rates to enter competitive neighborhoods like Brentwood or Kirkwood.
How Much to Charge for Office Cleaning
- Hourly: $25–$75
- Sq Ft: $0.10–$0.40
- Flat Fee: $150–$1,500 depending on size and service depth
Conclusion
Recap and action steps
Define the job scope, choose your pricing model, calculate costs, and use markup to ensure profit. For help estimating your next cleaning job, call us at 314-888-5325 or email [email protected].
Link to contact or estimate request
Get your free office cleaning quote
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