Most commercial cleaning companies price offices by the square foot. Industry guidelines from ISSA, the cleaning industry's trade association, put general office cleaning at about $0.09 to $0.17 per square foot. Bay Area wages tend to push quotes toward the upper half of that range.
Below are typical commercial cleaning prices by type of space, what moves your price, and how to compare cleaning service quotes so you pay for the cleaning you actually need.
Typical commercial cleaning rates per square foot
| Type of space or service | Typical rate per sq ft |
|---|---|
| General office | $0.09–$0.17 |
| Medical and healthcare | $0.14–$0.29 |
| Industrial or manufacturing | $0.08–$0.20 |
| Retail | $0.07–$0.15 |
| Carpet cleaning | $0.08–$0.25 |
| Hard floor strip and refinish | $0.30–$0.60 |
| Hard floor scrub and recoat | $0.20–$0.40 |
| Electrostatic disinfection | $0.10–$0.30 |
Source: ISSA, Commercial Cleaning Rates per Square Foot (December 2025). Always ask whether a rate is per visit or per month, since companies quote both ways.
What affects the price of office cleaning
How often we clean. Five nights a week costs more per month than once a week, but the rate per visit usually drops as frequency goes up.
What kind of space it is. Medical offices cost more because exam rooms and restrooms need disinfection to a higher standard. Open-plan offices with carpet cost less than spaces with many small rooms.
How much traffic it gets. A lobby with 200 visitors a day needs more attention than a quiet back office of the same size.
What's in the scope. Trash, restrooms, vacuuming and break rooms are standard. Floor waxing, carpet extraction, window washing and high dusting are usually priced separately.
When the work happens. After-hours and weekend cleaning keeps your staff undisturbed. Ask whether night service changes the rate.
Labor costs. Wages and benefits are the biggest part of any cleaning price, which is why Bay Area rates run higher than the national average.
Hourly vs. per-square-foot vs. flat monthly pricing
- Per square foot: common for offices with a regular schedule. Easy to compare between companies.
- Hourly: common for small spaces or one-time jobs. Ask how many cleaners and hours a visit takes.
- Flat monthly: one price for an agreed schedule and scope. The easiest to budget, as long as the scope is written down.
How to compare cleaning quotes
- Get the scope in writing: every task and how often it's done.
- Check that the company is insured and bonded.
- Ask who does the cleaning and whether the same crew comes each visit.
- Confirm what's extra: supplies, floor care, carpets, windows.
- Ask how a missed task is handled and who your contact is.
The cheapest quote often covers fewer tasks or fewer hours. Compare the scope, not only the total.
Get an exact price for your office
Every building is different, so the fastest way to a real number is a free estimate. Blue Ocean Janitorial Services has cleaned Bay Area offices since 1999. We're family-owned, insured and bonded, available 24/7, and serve San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento and the East Bay.
Tell us your square footage, how often you'd like cleaning and anything special about your space, and we'll send a quote. See what's included in our commercial office cleaning service.
Get a free estimate: call (855) 761-4030 or request a quote online.