Office Cleaning Costs in London: Prices, Examples and What Affects Your Quote
Updated: Oct 13
How much should a business budget for office cleaning in London?
Understanding office cleaning costs in London helps businesses budget effectively and choose the right cleaning service. The price depends on factors such as office size, cleaning frequency, required tasks and service standards. This guide covers office cleaning prices in London, example cost calculations and the key factors to consider when comparing commercial cleaning quotes.
When comparing office cleaning prices in London, it is important to look beyond the hourly rate. You need to understand exactly what is included, how the service will be delivered and whether the quotation reflects your building's requirements.
This guide explains the main factors affecting commercial office cleaning costs, provides an illustrative budgeting framework and shows you how to compare quotations effectively.
Looking for a cleaning provider? Visit our commercial office cleaning services in London.
Office cleaning prices in London: an indicative guide
Office cleaning prices in London vary depending on the size of the premises, cleaning frequency, required hours and scope of work. The figures below provide an indicative budgeting guide rather than fixed prices or a verified average across the London market.
Type of cleaning | Indicative price | What affects the cost? |
Hourly office cleaning | £19–£35 per hour | Cleaning hours, service requirements and staffing arrangements |
Small office cleaning | £80–£200 per visit | Office size, tasks included and time required |
Larger office cleaning contracts | £600–£3,000 per month | Cleaning frequency, total hours, facilities and contract specification |
These price ranges are intended to help businesses plan their budgets. They are not directly comparable because hourly rates, individual visits and monthly contracts cover different service arrangements.
The final cost will depend on the agreed cleaning specification, working hours, equipment, products and consumables included. Additional services, such as professional carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning, may be priced separately.
For an accurate comparison, request an itemised quotation that clearly explains the cleaning tasks, frequency, hours, inclusions and exclusions. VAT should also be confirmed where applicable.
What determines the cost of commercial office cleaning?
Several factors influence how a cleaning company prices an office cleaning contract.
Cost factor | Why it matters | What to confirm |
Office size and layout | Larger or more complex premises may require more cleaning time | Areas and rooms covered |
Cleaning frequency | More visits generally increase total weekly hours | Daily, weekly or customised schedule |
Cleaning specification | More tasks or higher service requirements can increase the time needed | Written task list and frequencies |
Staffing and hours | The number of operatives and hours affects the overall cost | Proposed staffing and hours |
Facilities and footfall | Busy washrooms, kitchens and reception areas may need more attention | Occupancy and usage patterns |
Access and working hours | Restricted access or out-of-hours arrangements can affect delivery | Agreed access and cleaning times |
Products and equipment | Responsibility for supplies can change the total contract cost | Included and excluded items |
Specialist services | Carpet extraction, upholstery cleaning and other periodic work may be additional | Separate prices and schedules |
1. Office size and layout
Floor area is a useful starting point, but it does not tell the whole story. An open-plan office may be straightforward to maintain, whereas a smaller office with numerous meeting rooms, kitchens, washrooms and separate work areas may require more detailed cleaning. A site assessment helps establish the actual requirements rather than relying on square footage alone.
2. Daily, weekly or periodic cleaning
The frequency of cleaning has a direct impact on the total hours required.
Busy workplaces may need daily attention to washrooms, kitchens, reception areas and floors. Smaller offices may need fewer visits, depending on occupancy and the standard required.
The best schedule balances hygiene, presentation and cost. Reducing visits without reviewing the tasks can leave important areas inadequately maintained.
3. The cleaning specification
Two contractors can quote different prices for the same office because they are pricing different services.
A typical office cleaning specification may include:
Vacuuming carpets and cleaning hard floors.
Cleaning washroom fixtures and surfaces.
Cleaning kitchen worktops, sinks and agreed surfaces.
Emptying bins and following waste procedures.
Dusting accessible surfaces.
Cleaning reception areas and meeting rooms.
Cleaning agreed high-touch points.
The precise scope should be documented. Carpet extraction, upholstery cleaning, internal window cleaning and other specialist services may need separate quotations.
4. Cleaning products, equipment and consumables
Always establish what the price includes.
Item | Question to ask |
Cleaning equipment | Does the contractor provide vacuum cleaners and floor-cleaning equipment? |
Cleaning products | Are the required products and cloths included? |
Washroom supplies | Are soap, toilet rolls and paper towels included? |
Bin liners | Are these supplied by the contractor or the client? |
Specialist equipment | Is any additional machinery charged separately? |
A clear breakdown makes it easier to compare the total cost of competing proposals and avoid unexpected charges.
How to calculate your monthly office cleaning budget
A simple way to estimate routine cleaning costs is to calculate the number of hours required each week and multiply that by the agreed hourly rate.
Weekly cleaning cost = hours per visit × visits per week × hourly rate
For an average monthly estimate:
Monthly cost = weekly cost × 52 ÷ 12
Worked example: a London office cleaned five days a week
Suppose an office requires three hours of cleaning each day, Monday to Friday, at an illustrative rate of £21 per hour.
Calculation | Result |
Hours per visit | 3 |
Visits per week | 5 |
Total hours per week | 15 |
Weekly cost at £21/hour | £315 |
Average monthly cost | £1,365 |
Annual cost | £16,380 |
Illustrative calculation only. The hourly rate is an example, not a current Silkway Cleaning quote. Figures exclude any separately charged supplies, additional services or applicable VAT.
The average monthly figure is calculated using 52 weeks divided by 12 months. This is more accurate for budgeting than simply multiplying a weekly cost by four.
For a real quotation, the cleaning company should establish the hours needed for the agreed specification and confirm the applicable price.
Hourly cleaning versus a regular office cleaning contract
Businesses may choose between arranging individual cleaning visits and using a recurring contract.
Neither option is automatically cheaper. The right arrangement depends on the frequency required, how much management the client wants to undertake and which services are included.
Consideration | Ad-hoc cleaning | Regular cleaning contract |
Scheduling | Visits arranged as required | Recurring schedule agreed in advance |
Budgeting | Costs may vary between bookings | More predictable when the price and scope are fixed |
Cleaning tasks | Scope should be confirmed for each booking | Ongoing specification can be documented |
Quality control | Depends on the arrangement | Inspections may be included |
Staff absence cover | Must be confirmed | Depends on the contract |
Consumables | May be charged separately | May be included or separately charged |
Contract commitment | Usually arranged per booking | Terms depend on the agreement |
When comparing these options, ask each provider to identify the services, hours and responsibilities included in the price.
In-house cleaner or outsourced office cleaning?
Some businesses consider employing their own cleaner rather than appointing a cleaning company.
The financial comparison should include more than wages. An employer may also need to account for employer National Insurance where applicable, pension obligations, holiday pay, recruitment, training, equipment, products, management time and arrangements for absence cover.
An outsourced contract may combine several of these operational responsibilities into one service price, depending on the agreement.
Cost or responsibility | In-house cleaner | Outsourced cleaning company |
Recruitment | Managed by the business | Managed by the contractor |
Employment administration | Managed internally | Managed by the contractor for its employees |
Cleaning equipment | Purchased or supplied by the business | Depends on the contract |
Cleaning products | Arranged internally | Depends on the contract |
Holiday and sickness cover | Must be arranged by the employer | Must be confirmed with the contractor |
Supervision | Internal management required | May be included in the service |
Service specification | Created and managed internally | Agreed with the provider |
The most suitable option depends on the business's size, cleaning requirements and preferred operating model. Compare the total cost and responsibilities rather than assuming either arrangement is always less expensive.
How to reduce office cleaning costs without lowering standards
Reducing expenditure does not have to mean accepting poorer cleaning.
Review the schedule
Consider how the office is used throughout the week. A tailored schedule may allocate more time to busy areas while scheduling other tasks at suitable intervals.
Prioritise essential tasks
Washrooms, kitchens, bins and high-traffic floors may need more frequent attention than areas that receive little use. The final plan should reflect the building and the hygiene standards required.
Separate routine and specialist cleaning
Routine cleaning maintains everyday standards. Specialist services, such as professional carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning, address different needs.
Schedule each service according to the condition of the premises and the requirements of the contract.
Compare like-for-like quotations
Ask contractors to price the same specification. Check cleaning hours, task frequencies, equipment, consumables, supervision and exclusions.
A lower quotation is not necessarily better value if it allows insufficient time to complete the agreed work.
Monitor quality
Use inspection records, feedback and a clear process for reporting missed tasks. Understanding recurring problems can help you adjust the service more effectively than simply cutting hours.
What should you check before accepting an office cleaning quote?
Before choosing an office cleaning company in London, use this checklist.
Check | What a clear quotation should explain |
Scope of work | The areas and tasks covered |
Frequency | How often each task is completed |
Cleaning hours | The proposed time allocated to the service |
Staffing | The number of operatives where relevant |
Equipment and products | Who supplies them |
Consumables | Whether washroom supplies and other items are included |
Additional services | Prices or exclusions for specialist cleaning |
Quality control | How standards are inspected and issues resolved |
Cover arrangements | What happens if a cleaner is absent |
Commercial terms | Price, payment terms, review arrangements and notice period |
For larger or more complex premises, a site assessment can help the contractor understand the building, access arrangements and cleaning requirements before preparing a proposal.
The quotation should leave you with a clear understanding of what you are paying for.
Frequently asked questions about office cleaning costs in London
How much does office cleaning cost in London?
The cost depends on office size, cleaning frequency, staffing, the cleaning specification and additional requirements. Indicative figures can help with early budgeting, but a quotation based on your actual premises is more reliable.
How is the monthly cost of office cleaning calculated?
Calculate the hours required per visit, multiply by the number of visits each week and the agreed hourly rate, then multiply the weekly cost by 52 and divide by 12 to estimate the average monthly cost.
Is daily office cleaning more expensive than weekly cleaning?
Daily cleaning generally involves more total hours per week. However, the appropriate schedule depends on occupancy, footfall, facilities and the standard of cleanliness required.
What should be included in a commercial office cleaning quotation?
It should state the cleaning tasks, areas covered, visit frequency, working hours, equipment and product responsibilities, consumables, exclusions, additional services and commercial terms.
Is the cheapest office cleaning quote the best option?
Not necessarily. Compare the total service, cleaning hours, specification, cover arrangements and quality control. A lower price may reflect a narrower scope or fewer hours.
Can office cleaning include carpet and upholstery cleaning?
Yes, if the provider offers these services and they are included in or added to the agreed scope. Routine cleaning and specialist carpet or upholstery cleaning should be clearly distinguished in the quotation.
Should a cleaning company visit the office before providing a quote?
A site assessment can be useful for larger or more complex contracts because it helps the contractor understand the layout, facilities, access arrangements and cleaning requirements.
Request an office cleaning quotation in London
The right office cleaning arrangement should fit your premises, budget and operating hours while providing a clearly defined service.
Silkway Cleaning provides commercial office cleaning services across London, with cleaning arrangements tailored to the needs of each workplace.
If you are reviewing an existing contract or planning cleaning for a new office, tell us about your premises, preferred schedule and requirements.
Explore our commercial office cleaning services in London to discuss your requirements and request a tailored quotation.
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