Office Cleaning Services: Costs, Checklist and How to Hire the Right Company (2026 Guide)
A cleaning professional wiping down a conference table in a bright, modern office.
Office cleaning services are professional cleaning services where a crew handles your trash, floors, restrooms, breakroom, desks and periodic deep cleaning on a set schedule. Most US quotes are built from labor hours or a per square foot rate. Standard recurring office cleaning typically runs about $0.07 to $0.20 per square foot, and hourly rates often fall between $30 and $75. The right company has proof of insurance, a written scope of work, screened employees and a contract you can exit.
What are office cleaning services, and what do they include?
Office cleaning services are handled by a third-party company that keeps your workspace clean and sanitary. With outsourcing, the company takes on hiring, training, supplies, equipment and coverage when someone calls out.
A typical scope of work includes:
Emptying trash and recycling
Dusting and wiping desks, shelves and common surfaces
Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
Cleaning and restocking restrooms
Cleaning the breakroom or kitchen (counters, sinks, microwave, fridge handles)
Wiping glass doors, partitions and high-touch points
Periodic extras such as carpet extraction, window cleaning and floor care
Office Cleaning vs Janitorial Services: Is there a difference?
Practically, no. "Janitorial services" usually means recurring maintenance cleaning done after hours. "Commercial cleaning" is the broader umbrella that also includes one-time work such as post-construction cleanups and deep cleans. Most companies offer both.
| Term | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Removes dirt, dust, and some germs using soap or detergent and water. | Wiping a desk. |
| Sanitizing | Lowers the number of germs to a safer level. | Using sanitizer on breakroom counters. |
| Disinfecting | Uses an EPA-registered product to kill germs on a surface. | Applying disinfectant on door handles and restroom fixtures. |
CDC guidance treats cleaning as the foundation, with disinfecting added for high-touch areas or when someone has been sick. One detail people miss: every EPA-registered disinfectant has a contact time on its label, meaning the surface must stay visibly wet for that long or the product may not work as claimed.
You can also avail our house cleaning services: The Complete Guide to Finding the Right Fit for Your Home
How much do office cleaning services cost in the US?
The honest answer is "it depends," but there are useful benchmarks. Small offices commonly pay about $200 to $1,000 a month for regular service, and a single small-office visit often starts around $75 to $150. Thumbtack's national data puts the typical commercial cleaning job between $161 and $402, with most people paying about $253. These figures come from vendor and marketplace sources, so treat them as directional and get real quotes for your building.
| Pricing Model | Typical Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Roughly $25–$75 per cleaner hour (commonly $30–$60). | Small or irregular offices, one-time cleaning jobs. |
| Per Square Foot | Roughly $0.07–$0.25 per sq. ft., depending on scope and cleaning frequency. | Larger offices and predictable commercial spaces. |
| Flat Monthly Contract | Typically $200–$1,000+ per month for small offices, with higher pricing for larger spaces. | Recurring office cleaning with a fixed scope of work. |
| One-Time Deep Clean | Usually provided as a flat quote after an on-site walkthrough. | Move-ins, post-construction cleaning, or seasonal deep cleaning. |
Watch the pricing unit
This is where quotes get confusing. Some companies quote a square foot rate per visit, and others quote it per month. Always ask, "Is that per visit or per month, and how many visits does it include?" A rate that looks cheap per visit can cost far more over a month.
A simple way to sanity-check a quote is labour math. Illustrative example, not a quote: two cleaners for two hours at $40 per hour is $160 per visit. Three visits a week comes to about $2,080 a month ($160 x 3 x 52 weeks / 12).
What makes your quote go up?
Labour costs: Labour usually makes up roughly 50% to 70% of a cleaning job's cost. Local wage rules and prevailing wage or union agreements in some markets push this higher.
Frequency: More visits raise the monthly total, but the per-visit rate often drops.
Facility type: Medical and dental offices cost more than standard corporate offices because they require stricter disinfection protocols.
After-hours or weekend service: Some companies charge a premium.
Supplies and equipment: Ask whether paper goods, liners and hand soap are included or billed separately.
Add-ons: Carpet extraction, window cleaning and floor stripping and waxing are typically extra.
Sales tax: Whether janitorial services are taxable varies by state, so check with your accountant.
How often should an office be cleaned?
The rule of thumb is simple: the more a surface is touched, the more often it needs attention.
Small offices with low foot traffic often do well with two or three visits a week. Larger or busier offices and medical practices usually need nightly service. For hybrid or hot-desking setups, ask the crew to wipe shared desks, keyboards and phones on a set schedule.
| Area | Suggested Frequency | Task |
|---|---|---|
| Door Handles, Elevator Buttons & Light Switches | Daily, and more often in busy offices. | Wipe and disinfect. |
| Desks & Workstations | Daily to 3 times a week. | Dust and wipe after decluttering. |
| Restrooms | Daily, with midday touch-ups in high-traffic offices. | Clean, disinfect, and restock supplies. |
| Breakroom & Kitchen | Daily. | Clean counters, sink, appliances, and tables. |
| Floors | Daily to 3 times a week. | Vacuum or mop depending on flooring type. |
| Trash & Recycling | Daily. | Empty bins and replace liners. |
| Glass & Office Partitions | Weekly. | Clean for a streak-free finish. |
| Carpets | Vacuum regularly and deep clean every 6–12 months. | Hot water extraction or professional carpet cleaning. |
| Vents & Ceiling Fans | Quarterly. | Dust and remove built-up debris. |
| Full Deep Clean | Quarterly or twice a year. | Detailed cleaning, sanitizing, and floor care. |
Should you hire a cleaning company, use in-house staff or book on demand?
For most offices under a few thousand square feet, a contracted company is the simplest option. You get supervision, supplies and backup coverage without managing payroll.
| Factor | In-House Staff | Contracted Cleaning Company | On-Demand Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control | Highest | Medium (defined by the service contract) | Lowest |
| Hiring & Training | You handle recruitment and training. | Cleaning company handles hiring and training. | Cleaning company handles hiring and training. |
| Coverage When Someone Is Out | You arrange a replacement. | Company provides replacement staff. | Depends on service availability. |
| Insurance & Payroll Burden | Your responsibility. | Company's responsibility (verify coverage). | Company's responsibility. |
| Best For | Large facilities with consistent daily cleaning needs. | Most small and mid-sized offices with recurring cleaning schedules. | Startups, events, move-ins, and one-time deep cleaning services. |
How do you choose a commercial cleaning company? (8-point checklist)
A written scope of work: Tasks, frequencies and what is excluded.
Proof of insurance: General liability and workers' compensation, with a certificate of insurance (COI). Ask to be named as additional insured.
Employee status: Ask whether cleaners are W-2 employees or 1099 contractors. Misclassification can shift risk back onto you.
Background checks and access control: Cleaners often have keys, alarm codes and after-hours access. Ask how keys are tracked and what happens if one is lost.
Bonding: A janitorial or fidelity bond can protect you against theft.
Training and safety: Confirm staff are trained on chemical safety, and ask for SDS sheets for products they use.
Quality control: Look for regular supervisor inspections, a scorecard and a simple way to report issues. Industry programs such as ISSA's CIMS certification signal a documented management system, though certification isn't a substitute for checking references.
References and a trial period: Ask for two or three references from similar-size offices and negotiate a 30 to 60 day trial.
While you are at it, you can also view our deep cleaning checklist.
What should be in the contract?
Scope and frequency in writing, with an attached task checklist
Pricing unit and total (per visit or per month), plus any fuel, supply or holiday surcharges
Re-clean guarantee, such as a fix within 24 hours of a reported miss
Insurance requirements and COI delivery before service starts
Termination clause: typically 30 to 60 days' written notice, and no penalty exit for repeated service failures
Auto-renewal terms: know the renewal length and cancellation window
Supplies: what is included and what is billed
Confidentiality for client documents and data left on desks
What insurance, safety and legal issues should you check?
Insurance. A COI should show current general liability and workers' compensation coverage. If a cleaner is injured on your premises and the company isn't properly insured, the claim can get messy.
Chemical safety. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to make Safety Data Sheets available and train workers on hazardous chemicals. Ask your vendor to confirm this training and to keep SDS sheets accessible.
Biohazards. Cleanup involving blood or body fluids falls under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and needs trained staff, so don't assume a standard crew is equipped for it.
Disinfectant claims. Check that disinfectants are EPA-registered. The EPA's List N is a common reference for products with certain virus claims, and its Safer Choice label helps identify products with lower environmental and health impact. Green Seal also certifies cleaning products and services.
Lease terms. In a multi-tenant building, your lease may already assign common-area cleaning to the landlord. Check what you're responsible for before you pay for duplicate coverage.
Also read: What Is Important to You When Choosing a Food Delivery Service?
What are the most common mistakes when hiring office cleaners?
Choosing the lowest bid without confirming the pricing unit
Skipping the COI or accepting a verbal "we're insured"
Not defining scope, so the crew skips the breakroom or restrooms
Ignoring key and alarm code control
Using one cloth or mop across restrooms and kitchens (cross-contamination)
Signing a long auto-renewing contract with no performance exit
Having no simple way for employees to report missed cleaning
Is professional office cleaning worth it?
For most offices, yes. A consistent schedule keeps shared surfaces cleaner, gives clients a better first impression and frees your team from ad hoc tidying. The exact return varies by business, so set a baseline before you start, such as employee feedback and complaints about restrooms or the breakroom, and compare after the first 60 days.
A simple 5-step action plan:
Measure your square footage and note headcount and traffic.
List zones: restrooms, breakroom, workstations, reception, conference rooms.
Request written quotes from three companies with the same scope.
Verify insurance, references and how they handle keys and access.
Start with a 30 to 60 day trial and review it against a checklist.
Why Choose Amenify for Office Cleaning Services?
Amenify is a real estate technology company that provides cleaning, chores, housekeeping and other lifestyle services, and its professional cleaning services are available in 500+ cities. For businesses, Amenify's commercial cleaning is built around tailored solutions, reliability, flexibility and customer service, using eco-friendly products and modern techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Typical ranges are about $25 to $75 per cleaner hour and about $0.07 to $0.25 per square foot, and small offices often pay roughly $200 to $1,000 a month. Confirm whether a square foot rate is per visit or per month.
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Trash, restrooms and breakrooms daily, floors and desks daily to a few times a week depending on traffic, and a deep clean quarterly or twice a year.
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Janitorial usually means recurring maintenance cleaning. Commercial cleaning is the broader term and also covers one-time work such as post-construction and deep cleans.
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Cleaning removes dirt and some germs. Disinfecting uses an EPA-registered product to kill germs on a surface, and it must stay wet for the label's contact time.
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The company usually brings cleaning chemicals and equipment. Paper goods, liners and hand soap may be included or billed separately, so confirm in writing.
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Nightly or after-hours service avoids disrupting work and suits heavy tasks like floor care. Daytime service works for midday restroom touch-ups or small offices, but may cost differently.
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At minimum, general liability and workers' compensation. Ask for a certificate of insurance and request to be named as additional insured.
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Ask directly. Vendors that use properly classified employees and carry workers' compensation reduce your exposure if something goes wrong.
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Many businesses start with a 30 to 60 day trial, then a month-to-month or 12-month agreement with 30 to 60 days' notice to cancel. Watch for auto-renewal clauses.
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Yes, if the company screens employees and tracks keys and codes. Ask about background checks, key logs and what happens if a key is lost.
