Quoting isn’t just about winning the job—it’s about making sure the job pays.
Too many cleaning businesses underquote and end up burning out their team, losing money, or getting stuck in low-margin contracts that drain time and resources. Overquote, and the client walks away.
This guide walks you through how to quote commercial cleaning jobs with speed, accuracy, and built-in profitability—so you can stop guessing and start growing.
The biggest mistake? Relying on square footage alone.
Square footage is a starting point, but if that’s all you use, you’re flying blind. You need to factor in:
Ignoring these leads to underbidding—or taking on time-sucking jobs that kill your margins.
A 10,000 sq ft office with 10 employees isn’t the same as one with 100. More people means more mess, more touchpoints, and more time needed.
Typical labor hours by density:
Frequent cleaning reduces buildup and lowers the time needed per visit.
Example:
Factor this efficiency into your pricing.
Jobs with extra needs add time and cost. Consider if the job requires:
Include these costs to protect your margins.
Download our free commercial cleaning quote template. It includes production rate estimates, upsell checkboxes, and prefilled pricing tiers to save you time and improve accuracy.
Add the job address, primary contact, business type, and access instructions.
Use production rates (for example, 3,000 sq ft per hour for standard offices). Adjust for:
Include all consumables (liners, disinfectants), PPE if required, and any equipment use or rental fees.
List optional extras such as deep cleans, floor waxing, window washing, or carpet care. Even if declined initially, clients often revisit add-ons later.
Clearly define what’s included in each visit, how often you’ll clean, and note any exceptions (like holidays or client-supplied materials).
Clarify cancellation policies, missed access fees, payment terms, and contract length (month-to-month or annual).
Double-check your quote for accuracy and clarity. When presenting the quote, keep it simple and professional. Follow up within a few days if you don’t hear back.
Landing the job is just the first step. Swept makes sure you deliver on your promises with ease—keeping your team organized, your clients happy, and your profits growing.
With Swept you can:
Schedule and track every cleaning task effortlessly
Communicate seamlessly with your team and clients
Manage quality inspections to maintain high standards
Track time and attendance to control labor costs
Don’t just win jobs—win repeat business and build a reputation for reliability and excellence.
Start using Swept today and turn your winning quotes into long-term success.