Are you looking to hire a commercial cleaning service for your facility or are you looking to replace an existing janitorial company that just isn’t getting the job done?
If so, you might have realized early on in the process that commercial cleaning prices can be really hard to compare.
As a Facilities Manager, you have budgets to work with and you want to get the best value for your cleaning dollar.
So, how do you cut through the confusion, compare ‘apples to apples’ and find the most responsive cleaning service at the best price?
Why Low Cost Bids Aren’t All They Are Cracked Up To Be
While a low bid can be enticing, you’d be wise to make sure it’s all it’s cracked up to be.
That’s not to say you can’t get a good price or that high quotes will equal better service, but if three companies come in around the same and one company is quoting significantly less, it should give you pause.
More often than not, that too-good-to-be-true price really is. Overly low quotes usually come down to a handful of factors.
- Inexperienced company
- Over promising & under delivering on service
- Low price could indicate illegal workers
- Low price usually indicates less work
- Long-term costs of ineffective cleaning
Inexperienced Cleaning Companies May Underbid Your Facility
A low janitorial pricing quote might indicate inexperience with determining the real work involved in a particular job.
Newer cleaning companies or companies new to larger accounts might not understand how many man-hours it takes to keep your facilities in good condition.
This underbidding doesn’t benefit you because eventually the cleaning service will ask for more money, start doing less, or both.
Better to get fair cleaning pricing and transparent bids from the beginning and save yourself the headaches down the road.
When Cleaning Companies Over Promise & Under Deliver
Anyone can say anything to secure your business, but delivering on those promises is another story.
Whether they underbid from inexperience or simply to win the contract, you cannot get a good job from a company charging too little.
Even if the problems don’t show immediately, over time your janitorial company will inevitably begin doing less.
Your best chance at getting solid maintenance and responsive service is to hire a professional cleaning company that understands how to fairly price their services and honor their commitments.
If a Cleaning Bid Seems Too Good To Be True, It Could Indicate Illegal Hiring
When you get a very low cleaning bid, ask yourself why and how it can be that low.
There are unavoidable costs involved in running a company and delivering service, and any legitimate business must cover them.
If a price comes in far below the others, the company may be cutting costs through illegal hiring practices.
This can include the use of undocumented workers or misclassifying workers as independent contractors to avoid payroll, taxes, and benefits.
Any cleaning service willing to take shortcuts with their people, their reputation, and your safety is not a company worth partnering with.
Low Price Usually Indicates Less Work
A professional, experienced commercial cleaning company understands that you sometimes must work within a hard budget number.
Rather than simply doing less for a low price, the right company will help you understand precisely what work can be done within your budget.
The best providers know where you can reduce tasks without damaging long-term building health — and where cuts will cost you more later.
A low price offered without a real understanding of your facility’s needs will cost you significantly down the road.
Long-Term Costs Of Ineffective Cleaning
Partnering with an ineffective cleaning company brings short-term headaches and long-term costs.
Short-term issues include complaints, management challenges, illegal hiring risks, and health concerns.
Long-term consequences include increased illness and absenteeism, declining morale, and reduced lifespan of carpets, flooring, paint, fixtures, and more.
A strong maintenance partner catches issues early and protects your investment proactively.
Commercial Cleaning Prices Can Be Clear & Fair
Good work doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Often, it’s the most experienced companies that help you optimize the budget you already have to get the most value.
When evaluating janitorial bids, look for transparent pricing. It allows meaningful “apples to apples” comparison and establishes clear expectations from day one.
No surprises — just a predictable partnership built on accountability and consistency.
There are excellent companies out there willing to earn and keep your business. Find the right partner, and you’ll have a reliable cleaning relationship for years to come.
