Office cleaning: compare quotes and prices

What should be cleaned on each visit?

Define tasks specifically. ‘Clean the office’ does not say whether this covers just floors or also desks, bins and shared areas. At workstations, clarify whether only cleared surfaces will be cleaned. Documents, personal belongings and electronic devices need their own arrangements.

Window cleaning, deep carpet cleaning, floor treatments and cleaning after building work are not automatically part of routine service. Refilling soap and paper dispensers is also different from supplying those products.

Match frequency to actual use

A rarely used meeting room does not necessarily need the same schedule as a busy toilet. Occupancy, visitors, shared desks and kitchen use help determine priorities. The contractor should be able to propose suitable intervals for individual tasks.

A weekly visit does not mean every task must happen weekly. The plan can combine routine work with less frequent glass cleaning or intensive floor care. Holidays, shutdowns and changing attendance can be considered without cutting necessary hygiene indiscriminately.

If you only need a one-off clean, distinguish it from a recurring contract. An intensive first visit may also have a different scope from subsequent routine cleaning.

During or outside office hours?

Both can work. Daytime cleaning allows direct communication but must fit around calls, meetings and visitors. Noisy or disruptive tasks can be assigned suitable time slots. Evenings and weekends are alternatives, not automatically better or cheaper choices.

Agree access permissions, key handover, alarm procedures and restricted rooms directly with the appointed contractor. Access codes and confidential documents do not belong in a public quote request. A designated contact helps with incidents and last-minute changes.

Also define which bins may be emptied and where confidential documents are collected. Papers left on a desk are not waste approved for disposal. If document shredding is also required, arrange it as a separate job with clear authorisation and handover; emptying ordinary bins does not automatically include it.

How much does office cleaning cost?

Area, furnishings, tasks and frequency determine cost. An hourly rate, price per visit and monthly fee are different units of comparison. A price per square metre must specify whether it applies per clean, month or year.

Two published Swiss examples, checked in October 2026, illustrate different models: a contractor serving Aargau and Zurich lists CHF 55 per person per labour hour including VAT, travel and materials, with a CHF 165 minimum per visit. Another lists one three-hour visit per month for CHF 180 including VAT, travel and materials. These are individual offers, not a nationwide price range.

In the first example, a two-hour visit costs at least CHF 165 rather than CHF 110 because of the minimum. Eight such visits add up to CHF 1’320. This is an illustrative calculation for eight appointments, not a claim that every month contains exactly eight visits or that two hours will be enough for your office.

Alongside the recurring price, check the contract term, notice period and how price changes are handled. An extra workstation, another cleaning day or a special clean should be agreed with its revised scope and price before the additional work begins.

• Time basis. Labour hours for each person differ from the time a team spends on site.
• Additional charges. Check materials, travel, minimum charge, VAT and any time-related surcharges.
• Fixed fees. Define included visits, public holidays, absences and periodic extra work.
• Consumables. Do not equate supplying paper, soap or bin bags with refilling dispensers.

Agree concrete quality criteria

A sound quote describes the surfaces, tasks and expected result. The contractor should account for floor coverings and sensitive surfaces. A general promise of disinfection or fewer sick days does not replace appropriate cleaning.

Establish who checks the work and how shortcomings are reported and corrected. Cover for staff absence, an accessible contact and clear responsibilities matter for recurring contracts. Review the plan when occupancy or room layouts change.

After the first visits, review some agreed checkpoints together: are cleared desks and accessible floor edges clean, the specified bins emptied, and basins and taps cleaned? Also check that supplied soap and paper have been replenished as agreed. Record any shortcomings with the room, task and inspection time so that fresh dirt can be distinguished from missed work. Agree a response to outstanding points and, where needed, a follow-up clean.

A few useful details are enough to begin

For the initial request, provide the required areas, relevant quantities, frequency and a time window. An existing schedule can help later; you do not need to create or upload one first. A site visit can clarify outstanding details before a binding quote.

An enquiry might read: “Our office covers about 160 m² in total, with 14 workstations, one meeting room, two toilets and a kitchenette. Usually eight people are on site. The office areas are carpeted; the kitchen and toilets have tiles. We initially want two visits a week from 6 pm for floors, cleared desks, waste, the kitchen and toilets. We supply paper and soap. Please quote separately for windows and deep carpet cleaning, recommend suitable intervals for each task and itemise any initial deep clean that may be needed.” The actual visit duration and final schedule can then be agreed with the contractor.

1. Choose the areas. Select the work you need and, where relevant, distinguish communal areas managed by the building administrator.
2. Estimate the workload. Provide the relevant area and, where included, workstations, sanitary fixtures or glass area.
3. Coordinate the visit. Agree working hours, start date, access and necessary interruptions.
4. Check the quote. Compare tasks, frequency, total price, additional work and contract terms together.