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| | | Depending on your needs and budget, business janitorial services can vary widely, from emptying the trash and vacuuming weekly or even monthly, to a thorough daily cleaning including mopping and waxing the floors and disinfecting the restrooms. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Costs vary considerably depending on how much you want done and how often, and pricing is not at all clear-cut -- it depends a great deal on the company. Many cleaning companies will charge a flat rate for smaller jobs. Emptying the trash and light cleaning (vacuuming and dusting) in an extremely small office starts around $20 -$30 per visit and goes up depending on office size, the number of restrooms and the type and amount of cleaning requested. An office with just a few employees may only need basic service once or twice a week for about $100 -$200 per month, while the cost for daily trash pickup and simple vacuuming at a typical small business (2-3 offices, and maybe a break/conference room) can run $500 -$700 or more a month.
- Larger jobs or those that require more specialized cleaning or more frequent service are usually charged anywhere from 5 cents - 55 cents per square foot. Most companies charge separately for labor-intensive special services such as stripping and waxing floors 25 cents - 50 cents a square foot), carpet cleaning ($20 -$40 an hour), and cleaning microwaves or refrigerators ($10 -$35 per appliance). Generally the larger the office, the lower the cost per square foot. Basic nightly janitorial service for a 20,000-square-foot office in a major city can run 5 cents - 10 cents per square foot or $2,000 -$4,000 a month. Similar service for a typical 6-room, 2,000-square-foot office with a bathroom and a kitchenette in a less urban area might cost 10 cents - 55 cents per square foot or around $800 -$2,000 a month. Medical or health care facilities require specialized cleaning and are usually at the higher end of the price range -- and may be billed on an hourly basis rather than per square foot.
What should be included: | - Cleaning is usually done at night, while your business is closed. Common daily duties include disposing of trash, vacuuming and mopping common walkways, cleaning and dusting desktops, and cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms, including maintaining bathroom supplies. Additional tasks (which are not necessarily done daily) can include carpet and upholstery cleaning, dusting ceilings and light fixtures, and general maintenance tasks such as replacing burnt-out light bulbs. Baltimore.BizJournalsDirectory.com provides an overview.
- Generally a cleaning company representative will need to tour your office or store before quoting a monthly price, as the types and conditions of surfaces affects the time it will take to clean them. The main factors for estimating the cost of janitorial service are frequency of cleaning; the age and condition of the premises; overall square footage; and special considerations such as heavy traffic areas, elevators or unusual cleaning requests. EzineArticles.com explains how costs are estimated from the perspective of the owner of a janitorial service.
Discounts: | - Many multi-tenant buildings offer janitorial services, either for an extra charge or included in the rent. Before hiring an outside janitorial service, check to see what might already be available in your building.
- Most janitorial services use their own cleaning supplies. If you're providing the cleaning supplies, be sure to let them know that in advance so they don't bill you for supplies.
Shopping for office cleaning: | - Before getting estimates, draw up a list of the tasks you absolutely need to have done and another list of options you'd like to have done, then set a tentative budget for janitorial services. Have the lists handy when interviewing potential cleaning companies. Ask nearby business owners which cleaning company they use, and if they're satisfied with the service provided. Or search for members of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association or, for larger buildings, the Building Service Contractors Association International.
- Get at least three estimates. Ask about the type of equipment and materials (some use environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies); who will do the work and what sort of supervision will be provided, if any; whether you're required to sign a long-term contract (1-3 years); and how soon the cleaning service can begin. Require proof that the company is properly licensed and bonded, and ask how the employees are screened -- this is important as the cleaning employees will be inside your business at night, as thefts can occur.
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Article updated January 2009 |
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