When you’re collecting janitorial bids, it’s not unusual to see a wide spread in pricing. One vendor might quote $5,500 per month, while another comes back with $8,500. All of them looked at the same facility and reviewed the same cleaning needs — so why the big gap?

It might seem like the lowest price is the best value, or that the highest price is way too much. But when it comes to cleaning services, price differences usually come down to important details that are easy to miss if you’re only looking at the dollar signs.

Fewer Hours Usually Means Less Cleaning

The biggest factor in any cleaning proposal is labor time. How many hours per week the company plans to clean your building will make the biggest impact on the final price.

If a quote is much lower, chances are they’re planning fewer hours on-site. While that might reduce your monthly cost, it can also lead to fast, surface-level cleaning and tasks being skipped. That often results in complaints, poor impressions, and eventually having to switch providers.

Higher quotes typically include enough labor hours to handle the full scope of work properly. This means the team isn’t rushed, the building stays clean, and you don’t have to worry about quality dropping off.

Worker Pay Impacts Service Quality

There’s also a big difference in how companies treat and pay their staff. A low-cost vendor may be paying minimum wage and providing little training. That can lead to unmotivated workers, high turnover, and inconsistent cleaning.

More reputable cleaning providers often offer better pay and benefits, along with regular training and manageable schedules. The result? Lower turnover, a more professional crew, and better service you can count on week after week.

Check What’s Included — and What Isn’t

Not all cleaning proposals cover the same things. That $3,000 difference in pricing might reflect:

  • Deep cleaning tasks like floor buffing or carpet care
  • Regular on-site supervision and quality checks
  • Digital tools for tracking service or handling complaints
  • Extra hours for detail work in restrooms or break areas
  • Backup staff plans for sick days or no-shows

Always ask for a breakdown of what each bid includes — it may explain the price difference.

Ask About More Than Just Price

Low quotes might look great at first, but they can lead to bigger issues down the road. A higher price might be a sign of a well-thought-out plan and a team that can deliver consistent results.

Before you decide, ask vendors about their plan — how they’ll staff your facility, what services are included, and how they ensure quality. The right janitorial partner will give you more than a clean building — they’ll give you peace of mind.