Commercial Cleaning in Adelaide: How to Compare Cleaning Quotes Fairly

You’ve done the right thing. You invited three cleaning companies to quote, and all three visited your office.

Now the quotes are in. One is $420 a month. One is $780. One is $1,150. They all say “office cleaning, three times a week.”

How can the same job cost almost three times as much? And which one should you choose?

The answer is usually hidden in the detail. Quotes that look the same on the surface often include very different hours, tasks, supplies and extras. This guide shows Adelaide businesses how to compare commercial cleaning quotes line by line, so you choose on value rather than the headline price.

Quick answer: To compare cleaning quotes fairly, check that each one covers the same areas, tasks and frequency, then compare hours on site, what’s included (consumables, periodic services, GST), insurance and contract terms. Work out the effective hourly rate for each quote. In Adelaide, commercial cleaning usually costs $32 to $56 per hour, so a quote far below that range may mean fewer hours, missing tasks or corners being cut.

Why Cleaning Quotes Vary So Much

• Different hours on site. One company plans 1 hour a visit, another plans 2.
• Different scope. One includes fridges, glass and high dusting. Another doesn’t.
• Consumables. Some include toilet paper, soap and bin liners. Others don’t.
• Periodic services. Carpet and window cleaning may be included, extra or missing.
• GST. Some quotes show prices with GST, others without.
• Overheads. Supervision, training, insurance and backup staff all cost money.
• Wages. Cleaners must be paid under the Cleaning Services Award. Very cheap quotes can be a sign that something doesn’t add up.

Step 1: Make Sure You’re Comparing the Same Job

Before comparing prices, check that every quote covers the same:

• Areas: every room, bathroom, kitchen, storeroom and meeting room
• Tasks: what’s done in each area
• Frequency: how often each task happens
• Days and times: when cleaning happens

If one quote is vague, ask the company for a written scope of works. If the quotes cover different scopes, ask each company to requote on the same list.

Step 2: Compare Hours on Site

Hours are the clearest way to see what you’re really paying for. Ask each company how many hours per visit they plan for, and how many cleaners.

Then work out the effective hourly rate:

Monthly price ÷ total cleaning hours per month = effective hourly rate

Example:

In this example, Quote A isn’t cheaper per hour. It just includes far fewer hours. If your office really needs 2 hours a visit, Quote A probably won’t get everything done.

Step 3: Check What’s Included

Use a simple comparison table:

Fill it in for each quote. Gaps often explain most of the price difference.

Step 4: Check Insurance and Safety

Every quote should come from a company that can show:

• Public liability insurance, with a current certificate of currency
• Workers compensation for its staff
• Safety data sheets for products used on site
• WHS procedures, such as wet floor signs and safe chemical handling

If a company can’t show insurance, take it off your list.

Step 5: Compare Contract Terms

Two quotes with the same price can have very different terms.

• Contract length: month to month, 12 months or longer?
• Notice period: often 30 days, but check
• Exit fees: any cost to leave early?
• Price reviews: when and how can the price go up?
• Complaint process: how quickly do they respond?

Step 6: Look at the Company, Not Just the Price

• Did they visit your site and ask good questions?
• Did the quote arrive on time and clearly written?
• Do they have experience with businesses like yours?
• Will you have one point of contact?
• Can they provide references or reviews?
• Do they check their own work?

How a company handles the quoting process often shows how it will handle your cleaning.

Red Flags in a Cleaning Quote

• No site visit before quoting
• No written scope, just “office cleaning”
• No hours stated, and no answer when you ask
• A price far below the market with no clear reason
• No insurance certificate available
• Long lock in contracts with heavy exit fees
• Vague extras that could be added later
• Pressure to sign quickly

Is the Cheapest Quote Worth It?

Sometimes, if it covers the same scope and hours as the others. Often, a much lower price means fewer hours, missing tasks, no supervision or no backup when a cleaner is away. Switching cleaners after a few bad months costs time and stress.

The best value is usually the quote that covers everything you need, with realistic hours, clear terms and a company you trust.

Adelaide Market Pricing

Commercial cleaning in Adelaide usually costs $32 to $56 per hour, or about $1.76 to $3.44 per square metre per clean, set as a fixed monthly price. Use these ranges as a sense check when comparing quotes.

Good office cleaning Adelaide providers will explain how they calculated your price and how many hours they’ve allowed.

Questions to Ask Every Company

1. How many hours per visit have you allowed, and how many cleaners?
2. Can we see the full scope of works?
3. Is GST included?
4. Are consumables included?
5. Which periodic services are included, and which cost extra?
6. Can we see your insurance certificate?
7. Who covers when our cleaner is away?
8. How do you check quality?
9. What’s the contract length and notice period?
10. When can the price change?

An experienced commercial cleaning Adelaide company will answer all ten clearly.

Why Adelaide Businesses Choose Ms Clean AU

Ms Clean AU provides commercial cleaning Adelaide SA businesses rely on, from our base at 71 Alexandra Street, Prospect.

• Free on site assessment before every quote
• Written scope of works listing every task and frequency
• Fixed pricing confirmed in writing
• Clear inclusions, so you know exactly what you’re paying for
• $20 million public liability insurance, with certificates of currency on request
• Quality inspections and reporting after every visit
• Carpet and window cleaning from the same team

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are cleaning quotes so different?
They often include different hours, tasks, supplies, periodic services and contract terms. Compare them line by line.

How do I compare cleaning quotes?
Make sure each covers the same scope, then compare hours on site, effective hourly rate, inclusions, insurance and contract terms.

How many hours should office cleaning take?
It depends on size, layout and use. Ask each company how many hours they’ve allowed and why.

What should a cleaning quote include?
A written scope, frequency, days and times, hours on site, price with GST stated, inclusions and exclusions, insurance details and contract terms.

Is the cheapest cleaning quote a good idea?
Only if it covers the same scope and hours as the others. A much lower price often means fewer hours or missing services.

How much does commercial cleaning cost in Adelaide?
Usually $32 to $56 per hour, or about $1.76 to $3.44 per square metre per clean.

Get a Clear, Honest Cleaning Quote

Ms Clean AU makes quotes easy to compare. We start with a free site assessment and give you a written scope and fixed price.

Call 0480 321 027 or email service@msclean.au for your free quote.
Ms Clean AU, 71 Alexandra Street, Prospect SA 5082