Why Understanding Janitorial Pricing Matters
Janitorial pricing can be confusing. But as a Facility Manager, you need to understand what you’re purchasing and what it should cost.
Otherwise, how can you determine the real value of what you’re getting, stay on track with costs, and hold your janitorial company accountable to what they promised?
All too often, commercial cleaning prices can get cloudy.
Sometimes janitorial costs aren’t clear because a cleaning company isn’t experienced in accurately pricing services. Other times, quotes are left purposely vague to win the bid, then increase later through add-ons and extras.
Cleaning companies that play pricing games only add more work to your already full plate.
You deserve the chance to compare “apples to apples” with clear, easy-to-understand janitorial bids.
Below, we’ll cover how janitorial prices are typically determined, and how understanding quotes can help you build the right maintenance budget and get a solid value for your facility.
Breaking Down Janitorial Prices
Maybe you’ve issued an RFP (Request for Proposal). Or maybe you’ve already received multiple bids.
Ideally, when you receive commercial cleaning quotes, each company should clearly break down how they estimated pricing.
Costs commonly included in a janitorial quote include:
- Labor
- Insurance and taxes
- Employee benefits
- Direct costs (cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.)
- Management fee
- Profit
Labor is typically the biggest expense for a janitorial company. Even costs like insurance and management tie back to the people doing the work.
Cleaning is largely done by people, and people must be paid, managed, and insured.
And then there’s profit. Some people avoid the topic because it can feel like an extra add-on.
But every business must be profitable to keep operating. A healthy margin usually means stability, better staffing, and a more reliable long-term relationship.
Don’t shy away from clarifying costs (including profit) with your prospective janitorial company.
Profits Are Critical to Effective Janitorial Services
Of course, you’re not looking to manage your janitorial company’s finances. You have your own to run.
Still, it helps to understand what you gain by partnering with a stable, financially healthy cleaning company.
In the business of cleaning, profit shouldn’t be a dirty word.
A janitorial company that can’t explain a healthy margin upfront should raise some red flags. Even if they give you the low price you want, it can create problems later.
Why? Because a company that underprices the contract may try to recover later through surprise fees and extras. Or they may cut corners to stay afloat.
It’s better when pricing is clear from day one. That allows you to compare quotes fairly and choose based on real value.
Profitable companies are also more likely to reinvest in:
- Better employee training and retention
- Upgraded equipment and tools
- Improved processes and quality control
- Technology that increases performance (and lowers waste)
For example, upgrading technology and equipment can improve results while lowering long-term issues.
Creating Professional Partnerships That Deliver Value
Low prices can be great when you’re buying a physical product, like a printer. A branded printer is basically the same no matter where you buy it.
Services are different. Cleaning is ongoing, personal, and depends heavily on people.
Your janitorial staff works around your employees, tenants, and visitors every day.
That’s why a balanced, professional partnership matters. One built on transparency and a clear agreement that both sides can deliver on.
No one wants to pay too much. But with commercial cleaning, value matters more than price alone.
Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.
If a company offers cloudy pricing or an enticingly low bid, ask yourself: will it actually meet your needs consistently?
When you partner with the right janitorial company, you pay a fair price, you get reliable service, and you spend less time managing issues.
That’s what a strong facility maintenance partnership should deliver: less stress, more consistency, and better outcomes for everyone.
