Most commercial buildings hire commercial cleaning services for both routine and deep cleanings. Whether the business in question is an office complex, restaurant, or warehouse, the right professional commercial cleaning service can work wonders.
The benefits of professional cleaning are not purely cosmetic. After all, keeping the building clean promotes the health and safety of employees and customers alike. It also serves to create a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests are treated to an inviting experience that makes them feel at ease.
Once most business owners understand the benefits of regular deep cleaning, they also wonder about the cost. After all, budgeting is important, and each business has its own priorities and methods for allocating funds. If you’re currently at this stage, you likely have many questions, such as:
- How much does an experienced cleaning provider charge?
- How much money should I allocate each year to pay for the right service?
- What constitutes a good cleaning service?
- Is it better to go with the lowest bid?
- What services does my business realistically need?
Crunching the numbers can quickly get complicated, and we know you have more important things to do. Fortunately, we’re here to help. By reviewing our handy guide on calculating commercial cleaning costs, you can find the right professional service for your business and reserve valuable time, energy, and money for other things.
If you’re searching for a reliable cleaning service with a proven track record of success, look no further than 360clean. Our trusted Janimed cleaning system involves hospital-grade disinfectants and comprehensive training to ensure your facility always looks immaculate. To learn more, contact us today for a free quote!
Commercial Cleaning Costs
If you’re having trouble deciding which commercial cleaning services provider is right for you, it’s best to tally up all associated costs so you can visualize your spending. Figure out how many square feet will need to be cleaned. Then, calculate the average cost per square foot and the estimated number of hours it will take to clean your space.
Once you’ve calculated your facility’s square footage and the average cost per hour, you’ll be ready to weigh the costs and quality of service and determine which professional cleaning service to use. For the sake of illustration, here’s a comparison between square footage and cleaning costs per square foot. The ranges displayed here are based on companies that clean three times per week.
- 0-1,000 square feet = $200-400
- 1,000-5,000 square feet = $400-550
- 5,000-10,000 square feet = $575-675
- 10,000-20,000 square feet = $700-1,150
- 20,000-40,000 square feet = $1,250-1,650
Additionally, here is a comparison between square footage and the total time it should take to clean.
- 0-1,000 square feet = 1 hour
- 1,000-5,000 square feet = 1-2 hours
- 5,000-10,000 square feet = 2-3 hours
- 10,000-20,000 square feet = 3-5 hours
- 20,000-40,000 square feet = 5-9 hours
While these charts should give you a better idea of how much your cleaning services will cost, make sure you contact the professional cleaning service directly to get the best possible cost estimate. Talking to the company will also give you an idea of what they can bring to the table and whether they’ll be a good fit for your business. Additionally, the most reputable commercial cleaning businesses are happy to provide you with a free quote.
A Closer Look at the Costs of Commercial Cleaning
If your facility is on the smaller side, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200-400 per month. However, if you have a larger facility that requires more upkeep, your monthly cleaning costs could be $2,000 or more. Some companies charge per square foot, usually at an average range of around $0.07-0.19 per square foot. Of course, these prices can change based on the amount and frequency of the cleaning tasks involved.
Why the Lowest Bid Isn’t Always the Best
Throughout this process, you’ll likely discover that the company providing the lowest bid isn’t always the best fit. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. This is an important point to remember as you’re reviewing the many bids that are likely to pour in.
Are Project Costs Taken into Account?
Low bids can sometimes indicate that the company didn’t take the entirety of the project costs into account. It might also mean that you will end up paying elsewhere down the line. For example, cleaning may be provided with the bid, but you’re responsible for spending money on buying the cleaning supplies.
Are the Bids Realistic?
When evaluating low bids, make sure they’re realistic and meet your facility’s needs. It’s better to hire someone who will get the job done promptly and properly than someone who’s just trying to make money by doing the bare minimum.
How Are Their Communication Skills?
It’s also crucial to ask probing questions during the evaluation process. Doing so will give you a chance to assess the company’s communication skills. After all, you want to make sure someone taking care of such an important task can communicate issues in a manner that’s compatible with your workflow.
Possible Negative Outcomes of Accepting the Lowest Bid
Unfortunately, bidders occasionally exclude items to put out the lowest bid. This lack of transparency could leave your business without the key services required to keep your facility clean and safe. It could also result in extra work being required, along with missed or unsatisfactory work.
Other possible negative outcomes include:
- Lackluster service
- Poor build quality
- Financial or labor-related disputes
- Debts on behalf of you or the contractor
Fortunately, you can avoid this situation by learning what a realistic bid looks like. From there, you’ll be able to ask the right questions and select the bidder that you feel is most suitable for the job.
The Benefits of a Realistic Bid
The best bids will generally provide the highest quality work with minimal risk. With that being said, they may not always be the lowest in terms of overall cost. Your goal should be to identify the offer that will ensure your project is completed on time and in accordance with your needs.
Questions to Ask the Lowest Bidder
A low bid can be very enticing for obvious reasons. Who doesn’t want to save their company money? The situation becomes even trickier if you like the contractor and think they would be a good fit for your operation.
How do you successfully navigate the comparison stage and find the right provider? The answer is as simple as asking the right questions. Having a list of well-considered questions prepared will help you figure out whether the contractor has your interests in mind. To help you out, we’ve provided examples of a few of the questions you should ask the lowest bidder.
Do You Have the Cheapest Overhead?
Overhead costs are typically consistent and therefore predictable. Getting an idea of the provider’s average overhead will help you determine whether you’re actually getting a good deal or whether they’re merely cutting corners to secure a job.
Did You Include Everything in the Bid?
Unfortunately, some less scrupulous contractors occasionally leave certain procedures out of their bids so they can either charge you more later or sidestep the task entirely. This is why it’s important to scrutinize their submission to ensure everything you need is included. If you notice something is missing, make it a point to bring it up before moving forward. The last thing you want is to be hit with unexpected expenses later on.
What Is Your Insurance Coverage Like?
One of the most common reasons contractors submit low bids is because they’re cutting corners elsewhere, and one of the areas that tend to bear the brunt of this burden is insurance coverage. By operating with subpar insurance coverage, the bidder can make more money after the fact and leave you on the hook if anything happens on the job. With that in mind, you’ll want to know what kind of insurance coverage your bidders carry. Don’t be afraid to ask them directly, as inadequate coverage could end up putting your business at risk.
What Do Your References Say?
Another way to get an idea of how good a contractor is at their job is to ask the people they’ve worked with in the past. Professional behaviors tend to be habitual, so if a contractor takes shortcuts or engages in shady billing practices, they’ve likely done it before and someone has complained. Save yourself the headache and always check with past clientele.
Need a Reliable Contractor?
If you’re looking for the best in commercial cleaning services, you can’t do better than 360clean. Our commitment to our clients’ well-being has earned us a sterling reputation throughout the cleaning industry. When you work with us, you’ll get more than just “good enough” — our proven system will leave your space looking better than ever.
If you have questions about your project or our cleaning procedures and products, one of our representatives will be happy to answer them. Reach out today to learn more and receive a free quote for your business.