How to Price Commercial Cleaning Jobs: A Contractor's Guide

Per-m² rates for commercial cleaning in Australia typically range from $0.08 to $0.20 per m² per visit depending on cleaning frequency, type of facility, and scope of work. Offices with simple vacuuming and bin emptying sit at the lower end; medical facilities requiring disinfection protocols or industrial sites with heavy soiling are at the higher end. Per-m² pricing works well for large open-plan spaces but can misrepresent effort in highly compartmentalised buildings with many bathrooms or kitchenettes. Always do a site walkthrough before committing to a rate.

Each model suits different situations. Per-m² works for large, simple spaces where area is the primary driver of labour. Hourly is safest for new clients or buildings with unpredictable soil levels; it protects you from scope creep. Fixed monthly contracts are ideal once you know a site well and want a predictable recurring revenue stream for both parties. Many commercial operators quote hourly for the first month, then convert to a fixed monthly rate based on actual hours logged. AxiomBlue supports all three models through its price book and recurring job scheduling.

Scope variations are one of the biggest margin killers on commercial contracts. A client who asks your crew to 'just quickly clean the boardroom after the event' or 'do the car park this week' is adding cost that your contract price doesn't cover. The solution is a written variation clause in your quote specifying that any work outside the agreed scope is charged at your variation rate (typically hourly), and that variations must be requested and confirmed in writing. AxiomBlue lets you track and invoice variations as additional line items on the job record so nothing is absorbed without billing.

Your true cost per hour includes: direct labour (wage + superannuation + WorkCover levy); consumables (cleaning chemicals, paper products, bin liners); equipment depreciation (floor scrubbers, vacuums, pressure washers); public liability and professional indemnity insurance apportioned per hour; vehicle costs if travel is required; and overhead allocation for your time managing the contract, quoting, invoicing, and compliance. A common error is calculating break-even based on labour alone and forgetting that overheads can add 25–40% on top. AxiomBlue's job costing reports make all of this visible so you see true margin rather than revenue alone.

Healthcare cleaning commands a significant premium over standard commercial because of the infection control protocols, required training (AS/NZS 4187, ACHS standards), specialised disinfectants, and the liability exposure if standards aren't met. Rates for medical facilities typically run 40–80% above equivalent office space. You'll also need to factor in colour-coded microfibre systems, hospital-grade disinfectants, and documented cleaning schedules that may require formal sign-off. Quote these contracts at a rate that reflects the true compliance overhead. Underbidding to win healthcare work is one of the fastest routes to a loss-making contract.

Most commercial cleaning contracts run 6 or 12 months. Build a CPI (Consumer Price Index) escalation clause into every contract so your rate automatically adjusts with wage and material cost inflation; this is standard industry practice and most commercial clients expect it. Review your contract margins quarterly using AxiomBlue's financial reports: if a contract's actual margin has dropped below your target (typically 15–25% net), raise it at the next renewal rather than waiting for it to become a drag on your overall business. Document actual hours logged against every contract visit so you have hard data to support a rate increase discussion.