How Much Does Quality Commercial Cleaning Cost?
We believe in transparency. While we don’t compete on price, we want you to understand exactly what impacts the cost of commercial cleaning—and why investing in the right provider saves you money in the long run.
What Commercial Cleaning Truly Costs
Real Examples, Not Vague Promises
The following scenarios show how cleaning budgets shift across different industries, worksite sizes, compliance needs, and expectations. We can’t give you a one-size-fits-all price, but this will help you see what’s typical, what’s possible, and what drives the cost.

Good
A reliable, presentable clean that keeps your team comfortable.
Ideal for workplaces with modest compliance requirements who want a site that consistently looks tidy and well-kept.
Industry & Site
Healthcare administration facility with an older layout and multiple spread-out areas, including shower blocks and amenities.
Outcome
A clean, professional-looking site that feels cared for. Daily attention to bins, vacuuming, basic surface cleaning, and mopping keeps the space visually tidy and safe for team use. This is suitable for clients who prioritise presentation and comfort but don’t require deep disinfection or strict compliance.
Time & Labour
5 cleans per week, 1 cleaner, 3.5–4 hours per clean
Estimated Monthly Investment
Approximately $3,400 + GST

Better
A higher standard of clean, with real hygiene behind the presentation.
Best for businesses that want their space to not just look clean, and also care about how cleanliness impacts staff and visitors.
Industry & Site
Large corporate office worksite spread across two buildings, with regular staff and visitor foot traffic.
Outcome
A visibly clean and genuinely hygienic environment. Floors are scrubbed using commercial-grade equipment. Desks and surfaces are consistently spot-cleaned, and presentation is backed by proper cleaning methods, with no room for cosmetically appealing shortcuts. Ideal for teams that want a healthier workplace, not just a tidy one.
Time & Labour
5 cleans per week, 2 cleaners, 5 hours per clean
Estimated Monthly Investment
Approximately $8,200 + GST

Best
Full-service, compliance-ready cleaning without hand-holding.
This is cleaning as a managed service. Ideal for regulated industries with high standards, strict compliance, or simply no room for risk.
Industry & Site
A-grade office in Brisbane CBD with premium fit-out and staff amenities.
Outcome
End-to-end cleaning, delivered with complete confidence. We handle everything: floor scrubbing, surface disinfection, high-touch point hygiene, even collecting and returning mugs to the kitchen. This is ideal for compliance-heavy environments or clients who want a managed cleaning service they never have to chase. These are for clients who say, "I just want it handled."
Time & Labour
5 cleans per week, 2–3 cleaners, 5–6 hours per clean
Estimated Monthly Investment
Between $12,300 and $14,100 + GST
Case Study: Car Dealership Achieves $480,000 ROI with In-Tec
This Brisbane car dealership has a main dealership that includes two large buildings (as well as several small site buildings), two off-site service centres, and a second large used car dealership. At first, their team was sceptical about whether investing more in cleaning would really make a difference. But by the end of the first year, they could see the impact:
- 11% productivity gain
- $660,000.00 productivity gain
- $120,000.00 increase in cleaning cost
- $480,000.00 net return to the client.
Whilst these numbers are impressive, let's talk about the story behind them, as their story (and their concerns) may be a familiar to some of you.

Of Course, "Best" Isn't Always What You Need
“Good” does the job for spaces where basic cleanliness is all that’s required. It’s about making things look tidy on the surface—no visible dirt, no debris, everything appears in order.
The “better” level takes it up a notch. Here, the focus goes beyond surface cleaning, with high-touch surfaces disinfected and a closer look at areas that aren’t always in plain view. This is what you might expect in an office space, a medical practice, or anywhere with a lot of people passing through.
Now, “best” is top-shelf. This is the level where every detail counts, often requiring specialised equipment and careful attention to high-hygiene areas. When we say best, we are not talking about hospital-grade cleaning—that is for another guide altogether. Best is suited to places, such as an A grade law firm city office.
But, as we'd tell any client, don’t go for the “yacht” when a “canoe” will do the trick. This level of clean has its place, but it’s also the most resource-intensive and may not be necessary for every space.

Commercial Cleaning Cost Variables
Several key factors influence the cost of commercial cleaning, and understanding these can help you make informed decisions.

Labour
What it entails: Labour is the most significant component of cleaning costs. This includes wages, leave entitlements, on-costs, and allowances for our cleaning staff.
Why it matters: You shouldn’t have to worry if your cleaners are being treated fairly. We employ our team directly under the Cleaning Services Award, which means they’re paid properly, trained properly, and supported to do their best work for you, every day.

Equipment + Materials
What it entails: The tools and products used to clean your premises, ranging from standard items like commercial-grade vacuums to advanced equipment like iMops.
Why it matters: You want results, not just effort. Whether it’s an iMop for deep floor scrubbing or commercial vacuums that actually lift dirt, we match the equipment to your site’s needs. That upfront investment (from $1,500 to over $20,000) is what helps us deliver to your standard.

Supervision + Support
What it entails: The behind-the-scenes work that keeps your cleaning consistent, such as site audits, check-ins, troubleshooting, and guaranteeing cleaners are supported.
Why it matters: Behind every consistent clean from In-Tec is a system of regular audits, check-ins, site visits, and operational support that keeps your service on track. The more complex your site, the more care it takes—and that’s built into how we price.

Administration
What it entails: All the operational work behind the scenes here at In-Tec—scheduling, payroll, invoicing, onboarding, compliance, and communication—handled by our internal team.
Why it matters: You shouldn’t have to chase your cleaners. You deserve accurate rosters, clear communication, correct invoices, and a team that turns up ready to work. Our team keeps all of that humming in the background, so you can focus on your job, not ours.

Your Industry
What it entails: Industry-specific cleaning needs based on compliance requirements, regulations, risk, or expectations, like HACCP compliance, rigorous auditing protocols, or detailed SOPs.
Why it matters: You know what your industry demands, and we meet you there with experience and precision. Whether it’s strict compliance, specialised PPE, audit-ready documentation or just high expectations, we tailor our approach and processes to suit.

And Yes, Profit
What it entails: A sustainable, ethical margin allows us to keep doing right by you—by investing in our team, tools, and systems that support your service.
Why it matters: You deserve a cleaning partner who’s built to last. Profit means we can hire properly (no contractors), use quality equipment, and respond when something needs fixing. A profitable cleaner delivers consistent, high-value cleaning that respects your standards.
How the Pricing Process Works
Here’s what happens once you reach out. No fluff, no hard sell. Just a simple, transparent path to finding out if we’re the right fit.

Our First Conversation
We’ll kick things off with a short phone call (approximately 30 minutes, but longer if we get to having a good chat) to understand what you’re looking for and why you’re exploring a change. You’ll get to ask us questions, and we’ll ask some too. The goal? Make sure we’re aligned, and decide whether it makes sense to keep going.

On-Site Walkthrough
If there’s a fit, we’ll visit your site. This isn’t a rushed inspection; we’ll take the time to understand the flow of your space, any compliance needs, and where things tend to go wrong with past cleaners. We’ll also ask about outcomes: not just what’s cleaned, but how you want your work site to look and feel.

Custom Proposal
You’ll receive a detailed proposal that’s written for you specifically, not copied and pasted. It includes a tailored Scope of Works, clear pricing (based on the outcome, not just hours), and documentation around how we’ll deliver it. We also surface any risks or unknowns, because it’s better to be upfront than to surprise you later.
Pricing + Budget Resources
Because you deserve a commercial cleaner who wants to empower you with honest and transparent knowledge, so you can make the right choice for your organisation.

6 Top Commercial Cleaning Cost Factors
It doesn’t matter if you currently have a quote in front of you from In-Tec, or you’re simply considering starting a conversation with us. We are here to empower you with knowledge about our pricing, so you can make the right decision about your next commercial cleaning partner.

How to Determine Your Cleaning Budget
Yes, I run a cleaning company. Yes, I’d love to earn your business. But you deserve unbiased information. It doesn't matter if you work with us or another provider, the worst outcome is walking away with regrets because you didn't have the knowledge to make the right choice.

Why It Matters If a Cleaner Uses Contractors
There’s a big difference between a cleaner who’s part of a team and properly employed, and a cleaner who's been brought in as a contractor and left to figure it out on their own. An employed cleaner is trained, paid fairly, and supported by a helpful team.

Because You Deserve More
"We believe that you, your employees, and your business deserve more. You deserve a commercial cleaning partner who genuinely cares about the standards and safety of your space. We don’t cut corners, we don’t hide fees, and we certainly don’t compromise on ethics. When we say ‘because you deserve more,’ we mean that our commitment to you isn’t just words—it’s backed by action, consistency, and integrity. You deserve a partner who does things right, every time, because your business and your people are worth it."
Paul Schokker
Co-founder, Managing Partner
In-Tec Commercial Cleaning