Have you ever bought something at an unbelievable price only to discover later it didn’t include everything you needed?
This same pitfall can happen when selecting a commercial cleaning service. What seems like an amazing deal on paper may leave out key elements that are critical to maintaining your facility.
To ensure you’re comparing proposals accurately, look beyond the numbers. A low-cost quote might skip some or all of these six critical aspects:
1. Employee Wages
Labor costs make up the bulk of any janitorial service’s pricing—roughly 60% of the total. These costs depend on two main factors:
How long it takes to clean your space.
The hourly pay cleaners receive, which varies by region.
Some vendors are more precise than others in estimating these numbers. Providers who visit your site and ask thorough questions are more likely to offer an accurate quote.
TIP: Regional vendors often have better knowledge of local wage expectations compared to national chains, helping them deliver more realistic pricing.
2. Employee-Related Costs
A complete proposal should also account for payroll-related expenses like taxes, vacation pay, benefits, background checks, drug screenings, and uniforms. These costs can vary depending on the vendor’s policies and your location.
TIP: Companies that offer benefits to their staff tend to retain employees longer and deliver higher-quality service, as satisfied workers are more motivated.
3. Cleaning Supplies
Supplies are an essential part of any cleaning service. This includes reusable items like rags and scrubbing pads as well as consumables like hand soap, paper towels, and toilet tissue. Most providers include supply costs in their base pricing.
TIP: Many regional vendors leverage wholesale pricing on consumable items. They can pass these savings on to you and even handle inventory management, saving you time and effort.
4. Equipment
The equipment needed to clean your facility—like vacuums, floor scrubbers, and other tools—should also factor into the cost. Vendors may include depreciation of equipment in their pricing, which reflects the wear and tear from ongoing use.
TIP: Companies using newer or well-maintained equipment typically operate more efficiently, which can result in better service and cleaner spaces.
5. Overhead Costs
Overhead refers to the administrative costs of running a cleaning business, such as insurance, recruiting, management, and accounting. These indirect expenses should be included in your quote, usually calculated as a fixed percentage of the overall price.
TIP: Regional providers often have lower overhead costs compared to larger national companies, allowing them to offer competitive pricing.
6. A Reasonable Profit
For a cleaning service to remain reliable over time, it needs to maintain a sustainable profit margin. Companies that set fair profit expectations are more likely to provide consistent service and stay in business for the long term.
TIP: Look for vendors with strong references and a history of successful partnerships—they’re usually a safe bet.
Ask Questions Before You Commit
If a cleaning proposal seems unusually cheap, it’s worth asking the provider if any of these elements have been left out. While a low price may look appealing at first, missing pieces could result in subpar service—or unexpected costs—later.
Looking for a cleaning proposal tailored to your needs? Contact us today!
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