Is hourly or per-sqm pricing better for office cleaning?

Hourly suits smaller sites under 500 sqm and any contract where the scope changes regularly. Per-sqm suits larger sites with stable scope — the cleaner takes the productivity risk and the price stays predictable. Per-visit fixed pricing is the most common in Sydney for 1,000–5,000 sqm offices.

Are cleaning supplies included in the quoted price?

Sometimes. Quote carefully — chemicals are usually included; consumables (toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels, bin liners) are typically charged at cost plus margin or excluded. Get clarity on this in writing before signing.

How much does office cleaning cost in Sydney?

Q: What is the average cost of office cleaning in Sydney?

For 2026, ballpark Sydney office cleaning is $40–$55 per hour or $0.40–$1.20 per sqm per visit, depending on frequency, after-hours premium, and how stocked the cleaner needs to keep supplies. CBD towers sit at the higher end; suburban offices in Parramatta or Castle Hill sit in the middle; light-touch maintenance contracts in established sites sit at the lower end.

In 2026, a Sydney office cleaning contract typically prices at $40–$55 per hour, or $0.40–$1.20 per sqm per visit if you're on per-area pricing. Most 1,000–5,000 sqm offices end up on a fixed per-visit quote in the $250–$1,200 range. The numbers move based on a handful of variables — here's what changes them.

Three ways office cleaning is priced

Hourly

Common for small offices under 500 sqm and for contracts where the scope shifts regularly. You pay $40–$55 per hour in Sydney 2026, with the cleaner staying for an agreed number of hours. Predictable on labour cost, less predictable on the actual output — a slow cleaner takes longer to do the same work.

Per square metre

Typical for warehouses and larger flat-floorplan offices. Ranges $0.40 to $1.20 per sqm per visit depending on how often it's cleaned, after-hours premium, and how restocked the cleaner needs to keep washrooms and kitchens.

Per visit, fixed

The most common structure in Sydney for offices between 1,000 and 5,000 sqm. The cleaner quotes a fixed dollar value per scheduled visit; if the scope is stable, you get predictable monthly invoicing. The risk of slow work sits with the cleaner. You should still document the scope of work line by line — otherwise "per visit fixed" becomes "per visit minimum".

What lifts the price

After-hours. Cleaning between 6pm and 6am attracts a 15–35% premium depending on the cleaner. Most Sydney offices want after-hours so this is baked in.
Strict scope. Hospital-grade disinfection, glass cleaning included, specific touchpoint cycles — each item adds time and chemicals.
Tight access. CBD tower lift-only sites with security sign-in add 20–40 minutes of overhead per visit.
Multiple supplies-restock obligations. Bathroom paper, soap, hand sanitiser, bin liners — if the cleaner supplies these, expect a markup. The alternative is you supply and the cleaner installs.
Specialist work. Carpet steam, window cleaning, high-pressure entries, pest treatment — usually quoted as add-ons rather than baked into the recurring rate.

What brings the price down

Standard hours. If you can let the cleaner work between 6am and 6pm, you avoid the after-hours premium entirely.
Multi-site contracts. If you have three sites and one cleaner, expect 8–15% off the single-site price.
Longer contract term. 24-month contracts typically beat 12-month by 5–10%.
Reduced frequency. The biggest lever. Five-nights-a-week is around 4× the price of weekly. If the site can run on three nights with proper desk-clearing protocols, the saving is significant.

Worked examples

300 sqm professional services office in Parramatta

3 nights/week, after-hours, supplies included. Typical Sydney 2026 quote: $185–$240 per visit, or about $2,400–$3,100/month.

1,800 sqm North Sydney CBD floor

5 nights/week, after-hours, full touchpoint cycle, supplies included. Typical Sydney 2026 quote: $650–$950 per visit, or about $14,000–$20,500/month.

4,500 sqm Wetherill Park warehouse + office

2 nights/week (warehouse), 5 nights/week (office 600 sqm). Typical Sydney 2026 quote: $2,400–$3,800/month combined.

Red flags in a quote

Price quoted without a site walk-through.
No documented scope of work — just a one-line "general cleaning".
No mention of public liability insurance certificate or police-check verification.
Supplies "included" but no detail on which supplies and what brand.
Termination clauses heavily favouring one side.

FAQ

What is the average cost of office cleaning in Sydney?

For 2026, ballpark $40–$55 per hour or $0.40–$1.20 per sqm per visit. CBD towers sit at the higher end; suburban offices sit in the middle; established lower-touch sites sit at the lower end.

Is hourly or per-sqm pricing better?

Hourly suits small sites and shifting scope. Per-sqm and per-visit suit larger sites with stable scope.

Are cleaning supplies included?

Chemicals usually are; consumables (toilet paper, soap, bin liners) often aren't. Get it in writing.

Want an actual quote for your office?

We quote off a site walk-through. Email us photos and floor plans, or book a free 15-minute walkthrough — we'll come back with a per-visit number and a documented scope of work.

Get a Free Quote Call 02 9140 6006