School and education facility cleaning

Frequency is driven by occupancy and use rather than square footage. Medical and clinical space is generally cleaned daily, with disinfection of high-touch surfaces and exam areas after each business day. Standard office space is typically serviced three to five times per week, with restrooms cleaned daily regardless of the overall schedule. Retail is usually daily, timed before opening or after close. Schools are cleaned daily while in session. Warehouse and industrial space varies most: office areas inside the building follow an office schedule, while large floor areas are scrubbed anywhere from daily to weekly depending on traffic and dust load. Common areas in managed properties are typically serviced daily to three times weekly, often with day porter coverage layered on during business hours.

Across the US commercial cleaning market, recurring janitorial is typically quoted between $0.05 and $0.25 per square foot per visit, and roughly $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot per month for a standard office cleaned three to five times per week. Hourly rates commonly run $25 to $50 per cleaner per hour. The range is wide because price is driven by frequency, square footage, restroom count, floor type, and how much of the work is detail cleaning versus basic trash and vacuum. Larger buildings almost always cost less per square foot than small ones because fixed travel and setup time is spread across more area. These are industry reference ranges, not a Wexley quote. Accurate pricing requires a walkthrough and a written scope.

At minimum, a commercial cleaning vendor should carry commercial general liability, commonly written at $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, and workers' compensation at statutory limits for the state where the work is performed. Most facility managers also require commercial auto liability if the vendor drives to the site, and a janitorial bond or crime coverage, often $10,000 to $100,000, to cover theft by cleaning staff who hold keys. Larger accounts frequently require an umbrella or excess liability policy. Beyond the policies themselves, the important details are the endorsements: additional insured status naming the property owner and manager, a waiver of subrogation, and primary and non-contributory wording. Without those endorsements, a certificate proves the vendor has insurance but does not extend that protection to you.

Green cleaning means using products and methods that reduce health and environmental impact, most commonly products certified by Green Seal or EPA Safer Choice, microfiber systems that cut chemical and water use, and equipment with lower particulate emissions. Product cost is generally comparable to conventional chemicals today, so green programs usually price close to standard programs. Where cost does rise is in certification-driven programs, such as cleaning specified to support a LEED operations and maintenance credit, because those require documentation, tracking, and specific product and equipment standards rather than just a product swap.