We’ve all been there—someone ends a relationship with the classic line, “It’s not you – it’s me.”
(And maybe you’ve even been the one saying it.)
Often, the real problem is that the two sides weren’t on the same page. That can also happen when hiring a commercial cleaning company. If expectations aren’t clear—especially around pricing—what starts off smoothly might not last.
To help prevent a mismatch, it’s important to understand how cleaning companies come up with their pricing. A better understanding means better communication and a stronger working relationship. Here are the top five elements that usually impact the price of janitorial services.
Let’s walk through them using a little matchmaking logic.
- The Foot Traffic in Your Building
The number of people moving through your facility every day has a big impact on how much cleaning is needed. More people means more mess—more trash, more dirt tracked in, and more use of supplies. For example, a 30,000-square-foot building filled with 400 employees working in shifts takes more effort to clean than a 300,000-square-foot warehouse with only a few dozen staff.
- What Kind of Business You Operate
Different industries come with different cleaning challenges. A factory, for instance, often generates more dust and grime than a typical office. Similarly, schools, hospitals, and entertainment venues may require deeper cleaning and sanitizing, especially in shared spaces, which increases the time and cost involved.
- Building Specs and Layout
How your building is laid out makes a difference. Factors like overall square footage, the number of restrooms, flooring types, density of furniture, and the age of the facility all matter. An older office with lots of partitions and hard floors generally takes longer to clean than a modern building with open spaces and carpeted areas.
- The Services You Request
Nearly all cleaning contracts include the basics: emptying trash, wiping surfaces, floor care, and keeping restrooms tidy. However, how often these tasks are done—daily, a few times a week, or weekly—can raise or lower the cost. A facility that needs daily mopping and dusting will naturally cost more than one that only requires light cleaning twice a week.
- Your Expectations for Cleanliness
Clean means different things to different people. Some facility managers want surfaces to shine and restrooms to be spotless every single day. If your standards are high—and that’s totally valid—it’s important to communicate that clearly. Just know that added attention to detail often comes with additional labor hours and, in turn, a higher price.
At the end of the day, all these factors influence how many labor hours are needed to properly maintain your space—and that’s the biggest part of your janitorial service cost.
So now that you know what goes into the pricing…
Want to see if we’re the right fit?
Reach out today for a free quote tailored to your facility’s needs!
