How to Price Commercial Cleaning Jobs for Maximum Profit

Pricing your commercial cleaning services correctly is one of the most important factors in building a profitable and sustainable business.

Price too high? You risk losing clients.
Price too low? You’ll work hard for little profit.

The key is to balance competitive pricing with profitability while making sure your business covers expenses, pays employees (if applicable), and still generates a healthy income.

Step 1: Understand Different Pricing Models

Before setting your rates, you need to decide how you will charge your clients. Commercial cleaning businesses typically use one of these four pricing structures:

1️⃣ Hourly Rate

• Best for small offices, one-time jobs, or unpredictable cleaning needs.

• Charge clients based on the number of hours worked.

Average Hourly Rate:
📌 $30 – $75 per hour (depends on location & services provided)

Pros: Simple and easy for new businesses.
Cons: May not be as profitable for larger contracts.

2️⃣ Square Footage Pricing

• Commonly used for large office spaces, warehouses, and retail buildings.

• Price is based on cost per square foot.

Average Rates Per Square Foot:
📌 $0.05 – $0.20 per square foot (varies based on building type, frequency, and location)

Pros: Works well for large contracts & recurring jobs.
Cons: Must carefully estimate time & labor costs to avoid underpricing.

3️⃣ Flat Rate Pricing

• A fixed price for specific one-time or recurring jobs.

• Often used for move-in/move-out cleans, deep cleaning services, and specialized jobs.

Example:
📌 $500 for a full office deep cleaning

Pros: Clients know exactly what they’re paying upfront.
Cons: If you underestimate time required, you could lose money.

4️⃣ Contract-Based Pricing (Best for Recurring Clients)

• Monthly or yearly contracts with fixed recurring payments.

• Ideal for businesses that need ongoing cleaning services.

Example:
📌 $2,500/month for a 5-day-a-week office cleaning contract

Pros: Predictable income, long-term relationships.
Cons: Requires strong sales & negotiation skills.

Step 2: Factor in Key Cost Variables

To make sure you’re profitable, you need to calculate your costs before setting prices. Here are the most important cost factors:

✅ Labor Costs (Your biggest expense)

• If you’re working solo, pay yourself at least $30–$50 per hour.

• If you hire employees, calculate their wages + payroll taxes.

✅ Cleaning Supplies & Equipment

• High-quality commercial cleaning supplies can cost $200 – $1,000 per month.

✅ Travel & Transportation

• Gas, vehicle maintenance, and travel time should be factored into your rates.

✅ Insurance & Business Expenses

• General liability insurance is typically $500 – $2,000 per year.

✅ Profit Margin (Don’t Forget This!)

• After covering all costs, you should aim for at least a 30% profit margin.

Step 3: Know the Industry Standard Pricing (By Building Type)

To stay competitive, it helps to know what other commercial cleaning companies charge based on the type of facility.

📌 Office Buildings:

• $0.07 – $0.15 per square foot (varies by location & services)

• $500 – $3,000 per month (for recurring services)

📌 Medical Facilities:

• $0.10 – $0.20 per square foot (due to stricter sanitation requirements)

📌 Restaurants & Retail Stores:

• $0.08 – $0.18 per square foot (depends on cleaning frequency & size)

📌 Warehouses & Industrial Facilities:

• $0.05 – $0.12 per square foot (larger areas, but require heavy-duty cleaning)

Step 4: Calculate Your Pricing (Real Example)

Here’s a realistic pricing example using the square footage method:

Example: Small Office (2,000 sq. ft.) – Weekly Cleaning

💰 Cost per square foot: $0.10
📅 Frequency: 1x per week
📆 Total monthly cost: $800/month

Example: Large Corporate Office (10,000 sq. ft.) – Daily Cleaning

💰 Cost per square foot: $0.07
📅 Frequency: 5x per week
📆 Total monthly cost: $3,500/month

📌 Pro Tip: Always charge higher for one-time jobs since recurring contracts provide steady income.

Step 5: Present Your Pricing to Clients (And Justify Your Rates!)

Most clients won’t just accept your price immediately—you need to prove your value. Here’s how:

✅ Explain Why Your Services Stand Out – Mention your experience, reliability, and quality standards.
✅ Offer Multiple Pricing Options – Give clients a choice between basic, standard, and premium packages.
✅ Show Testimonials & Case Studies – Highlight past satisfied customers.
✅ Emphasize Long-Term Savings – Explain that professional cleaning extends the lifespan of office furniture & equipment.

Final Thoughts: Set Profitable Prices & Grow Your Business

Pricing commercial cleaning services correctly ensures that you make money, cover costs, and build a sustainable business.

✔️ Use the right pricing model for each job.
✔️ Calculate all costs & add a 30% profit margin.
✔️ Stay competitive with industry pricing standards.
✔️ Justify your rates by highlighting value & quality.

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📌 Want to Avoid Costly Mistakes?

Now that you know how to price your commercial cleaning jobs for maximum profit, the next step is avoiding the common mistakes that can slow down your success.

Many new cleaning business owners make critical errors that hurt their growth, like underpricing services, missing out on key marketing strategies, and not setting up proper business systems.

💡 Make sure you're not making these mistakes! 👉 [Check out this guide: Top 5 Mistakes New Cleaning Business Owners Make (And How to Avoid Them)