How to bid a commercial cleaning job
- Walk the building and measure the cleanable square footage, the number of restrooms and any special areas.
- Pick a production rate, the square feet one cleaner covers per hour (table below), and work out hours per visit.
- Multiply by visits per month (cleanings per week × 4.33).
- Price the labor with wages plus payroll taxes, workers' comp and insurance.
- Add supplies, overhead and profit, then present a monthly price.
Typical production rates
| Facility | Sq ft per cleaner-hour |
|---|---|
| Medical / dental | 1,500 – 2,500 |
| Gym / studio | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| School / daycare | 2,500 – 3,500 |
| Office | 2,500 – 4,000 |
| Retail store | 3,000 – 4,500 |
| Warehouse / industrial | 5,000 – 8,000 |
Starting points only. Time a test clean of the actual building before signing.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for commercial cleaning per square foot?
Monthly janitorial contracts often land between a few cents and about $0.20 per sq ft per month, depending mostly on how many nights a week you clean and the type of facility.
How do I bid on a commercial cleaning contract?
Measure the space, choose a production rate, convert to monthly labor hours, price labor with all payroll costs, then add supplies, overhead and profit. Send it as a written proposal with scope, frequency and price.
What profit margin is normal for commercial cleaning?
Many janitorial companies target roughly 10–20% net profit. Large contracts are often bid tighter, small offices higher.