Tips on What to Charge for Office Cleaning

by Douglas Arnold

Overview

Setting fees for your office cleaning business is vital to being competitive--but more importantly, it speaks volumes on your business acumen. Clients are not just looking for low prices, they are looking for value.
How-To Books

Start with your public library. There are a number of "how-to" reference books on starting your office cleaning service. They can give you a framework for pricing your services, but remember that these books may have been on the library shelves for a few years. Adjust accordingly.

Trade Associations

Professional organizations conduct research on trends in fees, pricing and expenses. One such group, the ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association), has considerable research information available to those in the cleaning industry. Marketing studies are available--although membership may be required.
Local & Regional Business Groups

Chambers of commerce often have valuable information on a wide array of businesses. A call to your local chamber could yield immediate and timely data on what cleaning businesses in your area are charging for services.
Competitive Analysis

Nothing works as well as doing the job yourself. Go online and check the phone book for four of five major cleaning services in your community. Ask for rates and create a matrix table that lists name, services provide and fees associated with those services. Ask about discounts, incentives and loyalty programs that can provide significant "value added" to clients. Remember, it is not always the cost that sets the value.