Office Cleaning Cost for Small Businesses in the UK

What small offices and shops typically pay for commercial cleaning in the UK, how contracts are priced and what to put in a cleaning specification.

For a small business, a clean office is part of how customers and staff judge you. But commercial cleaning pricing is less transparent than domestic cleaning, and quotes depend on several variables. This guide explains typical costs for small offices, shops and studios, and how to set a specification so you compare like with like.

Typical prices

Most small commercial cleans are priced either per hour or per visit. Typically, hourly rates for commercial cleaners are around £14 to £22 an hour, higher in London and for specialist or out-of-hours work. As a rough guide per visit:

Monthly cost therefore depends on frequency. Cleaning three times a week for a small office might sit around £250 to £500 a month, but treat this only as a rough guide and ask for quotes.

What goes into a quote

• Floor area and layout. More desks, small rooms and carpets take longer than a single open floor.
• Frequency. Daily or several times weekly cleans are quicker per visit than occasional heavy cleans, because dirt does not build up.
• Timing. Evening, early morning or weekend work is common and may carry a premium.
• Facilities. Kitchens, toilets and shower rooms are time-consuming and need specific products.
• Extras. Windows, carpet cleaning, high-level dusting, waste removal and restocking consumables.
• Supplies. Check who provides toilet roll, soap and bin liners.

Writing a simple cleaning specification

A short written spec avoids disputes. List tasks and how often each is done:

1. Every visit: empty bins, vacuum floors, clean kitchen surfaces, wipe tables, clean toilets and basins, restock consumables.
2. Weekly: dust desks and high-touch surfaces, mop hard floors, clean mirrors and glass partitions.
3. Monthly: skirting boards, behind equipment where safe, inside microwave and fridge, door frames.
4. Quarterly or ad hoc: carpet cleaning, interior windows, deep clean of kitchen and toilets.

You can also use our office cleaning checklist as a starting point.

Employed cleaner, contractor or company?

Some small businesses hire a cleaner directly. If you do, you need to consider employment status, tax and pension rules, which can be complex, and should check with an accountant or the relevant government guidance. Hiring a self-employed cleaner or a cleaning company on a service basis is often simpler. A company will typically provide cover for holidays and sickness, while a sole trader offers consistency and flexibility.

Confirm who is responsible for keys, alarms and access, and agree how to handle lost-key or alarm issues. For lone working out of hours, think about the safety of the person cleaning your premises as well as your security.

Notice periods and contracts

Cleaning contracts often have notice periods of anywhere from a week to a month. Read for minimum term, notice, price review clauses and what happens if standards slip. For a small business, a rolling agreement with short notice is usually safest while you test a provider.

How to compare offers

Ask each provider to price the same spec. Compare hours allowed, supplies included, who covers absence and the notice terms. On Compito, you can search by postcode, compare ID-verified local providers, read reviews left after completed bookings and message them about your spec before you accept an offer and pay online.

A worked example

A studio with eight staff, an open-plan floor, a kitchenette and two toilets might need a cleaner three evenings a week for about two hours. At £16 an hour that is £32 a visit, around £96 a week, or roughly £415 a month over an average month. Add £40 to £70 for a quarterly deep clean of kitchen and toilets and perhaps a carpet clean once or twice a year. Your actual figures will depend on location, timings and what you include, so use this only as a structure for your own calculation.

Ways to reduce the bill without cutting standards

• Ask staff to clear desks and wash their own mugs, so cleaner time goes on the floors and toilets.
• Choose flooring that is fast to clean, where you have a choice.
• Use fewer, longer visits only if the premises can cope between visits.
• Bundle extras such as windows into planned visits instead of ordering them separately.
• Keep supplies stocked so the cleaner is not delayed.

Common mistakes

• Comparing hourly rates without comparing the number of hours allowed.
• Not specifying toilet and kitchen frequency.
• Forgetting insurance, access and key arrangements when discussing price.
• Signing a long contract before testing the arrangement.
• Having no process for feedback, so small issues become a reason to leave.

Checking the arrangement works

After the first month, review whether bins are emptied, toilets are kept to your standard and the building is secure at the end of each visit. Keep a short log of any problems, with dates, and raise them in writing. If you hire through a platform, the messaging record helps confirm what was agreed.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a small office be cleaned?

Two or three times a week suits many small offices. Daily is common where there is heavy footfall or food service. Once a week can be enough for a quiet two-person office, provided kitchen and toilets are wiped regularly by staff.

Should staff clean their own desks?

It is reasonable to ask staff to tidy desks and clear personal items so cleaners can wipe surfaces. Cleaners generally avoid moving papers and equipment.

Can cleaners come outside business hours?

Yes, many commercial cleaners prefer early mornings or evenings. You will need to arrange access, alarm codes and any security procedures.

Do small businesses pay VAT on cleaning?

It depends on the supplier's VAT status. A small self-employed cleaner may not charge VAT, while a larger company might. Check quotes and speak to an accountant if VAT matters to your business.

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