What Is Commercial Cleaning and What Does It Cost in Prestons & Sydney?
When you think of cleaning, you might picture a domestic cleaner coming to your house. But commercial cleaning is a different ballgame. Whether you're a small business, strata manager, or homeowner with a home office in Prestons or elsewhere in Sydney, knowing what commercial cleaning covers, how often to schedule it, and how providers price it will help you get better service and value.
In this article, we’ll break it all down in clear, conversational language — no jargon. You’ll read about:
What commercial cleaning really means
The key benefits of commercial cleaning
How often should you have a cleaning service?
What goes into the commercial cleaning costs (especially in Prestons / Sydney)
Tips to get fair quotes and choose reliable professional cleaners
An FAQ section addressing common cleaning questions
Let’s begin.
What Is Commercial Cleaning?
At its simplest, commercial cleaning refers to cleaning services tailored for commercial, business, or institutional spaces — not residential homes (though many companies do serve both). It may include:
Offices and workplaces (open-plan spaces, meeting rooms, reception areas)
Retail shops
Warehouses and industrial premises
Strata complexes and apartment common areas
Medical centres, childcare, gyms, etc.
Windows, facades, carpets, hard floors, high-touch surfaces
In contrast to typical house cleaning services Sydney offers, commercial cleaning often requires industrial-grade equipment, strong cleaning systems for high foot-traffic areas, and attention to compliance (health, safety, insurance).
Because commercial spaces are larger, used more intensively, and have different layouts (more corridors, bathrooms, lobby areas), commercial cleaning Sydney providers structure their services differently from home cleaners.
You may also hear terms like industrial cleaning Sydney, especially for warehouses or factories — these are just more heavy-duty versions of commercial cleaning, usually with extra equipment (pressure washing, large-scale floor scrubbing, etc.).
A commercial cleaning service might include daily sweeping and vacuuming, dusting, waste removal, cleaning communal bathrooms, sanitising high-touch areas (doorknobs, lifts, handrails), window cleaning, floor scrubbing or polishing, or even specialty tasks such as carpet steam cleaning or pressure washing of external pavements.
Benefits of Commercial Cleaning
Why hire a commercial cleaning company instead of doing it in-house (or with ad-hoc cleaners)? Here are key advantages:
1. Professional results and consistency
Professional cleaners bring industry-standard tools, systems, and quality assurance. You’re more likely to get reliable, consistent results rather than variable quality depending on staff availability.
2. Saves you time and effort
As a homeowner or business manager, your focus should be on your core tasks — not worrying about cleaning. Outsourcing to commercial cleaners frees up your time.
3. Health, hygiene, and safety
High-traffic commercial areas see more germs, especially in bathrooms, kitchens and lobbies. A professional cleaning service can better manage disinfection, air quality, and allergen control, reducing absenteeism and improving health.
4. Protects your assets
Floors, carpets, fixtures, and furnishings last longer when regularly cleaned and maintained. Dirt, grit, and spills degrade surfaces over time.
5. Better image for clients, visitors, tenants
A clean workplace, lobby or storefront conveys professionalism and care — it reflects on you and your brand.
6. Compliance and insurance peace of mind
Reputable providers carry liability insurance, follow safety protocols, and ensure compliance (e.g. for commercial sites or strata properties). That protects you from risk.
How Often Should You Have a Cleaning Service?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it depends on usage, foot traffic, and the type of space. Here’s a rough guide:
| Type of Space | Typical Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Offices (small to medium) | 2–5 times per week or nightly | For high-traffic offices, nightly cleaning ensures hygiene and tidiness |
| Retail shops, showrooms | Daily (or nightly) | Floor cleaning, window cleaning, dusting critical |
| Warehouses, factories | 1–3 times per week | Interiors, floors, machinery cleaning |
| Strata / common areas | Daily to weekly | Lobbies, corridors, lifts may need daily attention |
| Deep clean (windows, carpets, walls) | Quarterly or bi-annually | Specialty tasks beyond regular cleaning |
Factors that influence the ideal frequency include:
Volume of foot traffic
Presence of kitchens, bathrooms, canteens
Tenant turnover (in strata buildings)
Seasonal factors (e.g. more dust in summer)
Special requirements (healthcare, childcare)
If you run an office from home or have a commercial tenancy in Prestons, comparing a few frequencies (e.g. 3× per week vs nightly) helps you find the balance between cost and cleanliness.
Commercial Cleaning Costs: What You Can Expect in Prestons & Sydney
Understanding commercial cleaning costs is crucial so you know whether a quote is fair or inflated. The cost depends on many variables. Let’s break them down.
Typical Rates in Sydney
Many commercial cleaning companies in Sydney charge $30 to $60 per hour per cleaner.
Some premium providers quote $50 to $70 per hour or more, particularly for evening, weekend, or specialty work.
On average in New South Wales, a typical rate is about $35 per hour for standard commercial cleaning tasks.
For Australia broadly, some guides quote $40 to $70 per hour, depending on complexity and region.
So, when someone in Prestons (a suburb in Sydney) asks for a commercial cleaning service, expect quotes in the same ballpark. Suburban locations may slightly reduce travel or overhead costs, but the general Sydney rates still apply.
Cost Models: Hourly vs Square Metre vs Fixed
Commercial cleaners typically price work using one of three common models:
Hourly rate
This is most common for small to medium offices. You pay for the time the cleaners use.
E.g. 2 cleaners working 3 hours at $40/hour = 2 × 3 × 40 = $240.Per square metre (or per square foot)
Used especially in larger spaces or where it's easier to estimate area.
For example, some providers charge $2–$3 per square metre for standard office cleaning.
For premium or deep cleaning, $5–$6+ per square metre is sometimes quoted.Fixed contract or package rate
You receive a quote for a defined scope (e.g. cleaning every week) regardless of actual hours used (within reason).
Many commercial cleaners offer discounts for long-term contracts.
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
Here are the main cost drivers:
Size (area): Larger spaces need more time and staff.
Complexity & access: High ceilings, windows, multiple levels, staircases add cost.
Number of bathrooms, kitchens, storerooms: These are labour-intensive areas.
Cleaning frequency: Daily vs weekly vs monthly. More frequent cleaning often yields lower per-visit costs.
Special services: Carpet steam cleaning, window washing, floor polishing, blinds, façade pressure cleaning, deep cleans.
After-hours or weekend work: Premium rates often apply. Spec Services+3Showpiece Commercial Cleaning+3In-Tec+3
Consumables and equipment: Chemicals, high-grade tools, machinery, safety gear.
Travel and logistics: Remote suburbs or access difficulty may incur extra charge.
Insurance, compliance, supervision: A professional cleaner’s overhead adds to the cost margin.
For instance, a base rate of $35/hr may only cover the most basic cleaning. Once you add bathrooms, window cleaning, or heavy floor polish, the effective rate rises.
Sample Cost Scenarios
Here are a few illustrative scenarios for a better idea:
Small suburban office (80 m², general cleaning, 3× per week)
Maybe 1 cleaner, 2 hours per visit. At $35/hr, cost ≈ 1 × 2 × 35 = $70 per visit, or ~$210/week.Medium office (200 m², nightly cleaning, 5× per week)
2 cleaners, 3 hours per night. At $40/hr: 2 × 3 × 40 = $240 nightly, ~$1,200/week.Large commercial space (1,000 m², nightly + deep clean monthly)
Fixed contract with mix of hourly and per-m² tasks. Might be quoted at $2.50/m² × 1,000 = $2,500 per night for base + add-ons.Warehouse / industrial cleaning
Requires heavy-duty equipment; might command $50–$100/hr or more for specialist tasks. Spec Services+2Showpiece Commercial Cleaning+2
These are rough, indicative figures — your actual quote depends heavily on the local context, your building’s layout, and the provider.
Commercial Cleaning in Prestons: What to Expect & Local Considerations
Prestons is located in the Greater Sydney area, so cleaning companies servicing Sydney often extend to suburbs like Prestons. Here’s how local factors can affect your commercial cleaning in Prestons:
Travel and logistics: Some cleaners may surcharge for travel or for reaching less-central suburbs.
Local competition: In Sydney and its suburbs, you’ll generally find a good range of commercial cleaning companies Sydney or cleaning companies Sydney serving your area.
Access and hours: If your premises are in a retail strip or commercial precinct, after-hours or weekend slots may be needed to avoid disruption.
Blending residential & commercial tasks: If your property has mixed use (e.g. home + office), some cleaners might bundle the tasks more efficiently.
Local compliance & insurance: Ensure any provider serving Prestons has valid public liability, workers’ compensation, and adheres to NSW regulations.
So, a commercial cleaning service in Prestons should give you similar rates to those in central Sydney but adjust for travel or access as needed.
Tips for Hiring Reliable Professional Cleaners
To make sure you get value and quality, here are tips when comparing quotes and providers:
Ask for a breakdown of costs
Don’t just accept a lump sum. Ask how much is labour, consumables, equipment, travel, and extras.
Ensure the provider is legitimate
They should carry public liability insurance, workers’ compensation, and be compliant with cleaning awards.
Check references and reputation
Look for local reviews, case studies, or existing clients in Sydney or similar suburbs.
Ask about equipment and products
Do they bring their own? Do they use eco-friendly or certified cleaning products?
Define scope clearly
Identify which rooms, surfaces, heights, frequency, windows, carpets, extras. The more precise your scope, the better the quote.
Consider contract length
Often, signing a regular contract (6 or 12 months) unlocks better rates.
Review scheduling flexibility
Can they clean outside business hours or on weekends? Do they offer emergency or deep cleans?
Plan for quality checks
Ask how they monitor performance (supervisors, checklists, client feedback).
Negotiate but avoid lowest-bid traps
Lowest rates may mean corners cut (underpaid staff, poor quality, hidden costs). Look for value, not just price.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Commercial cleaning — whether for offices, retail, warehouses or mixed-use properties — plays a vital role in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and a positive impression for your premises. The benefits of commercial cleaning extend beyond aesthetics: you’re investing in health, longevity of assets, productivity, and reputation.
When deciding how often you should have a cleaning service, consider your space’s usage pattern, foot traffic, and whether occasional deep cleans are needed. Then, for the commercial cleaning costs, in Prestons and across Sydney, expect hourly rates in the $30–$60 range (sometimes higher), or equivalent per-m² or fixed contract pricing.
As you shop around for professional cleaners, be diligent about checking credentials, asking for transparent quotes, defining the scope, and comparing value — not just low price.
If you’re in Prestons or anywhere in the Sydney area and want a dependable, trustworthy commercial or office cleaning service, I’d love to help. HomeHero Maintenance offers commercial cleaning services Sydney, office cleaning Sydney, industrial cleaning Sydney, and related services. Feel free to call us on 0402 531 070 for a no-obligation quote or to arrange a site visit.
Let us take care of the cleaning, so you can focus on what you do best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between commercial cleaning and domestic house cleaning?
Commercial cleaning focuses on business, retail, or institutional spaces, with heavier duty equipment, compliance requirements, higher frequency, and different cleaning regimes. House cleaning often covers bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and has smaller scale.
Do I need to pay for cleaning supplies and equipment separately?
Most professional cleaners supply their own consumables, equipment, chemicals, and tools. Confirm this in writing so there are no hidden “materials fees.”
Can I hire a cleaner for just once (one-off) rather than ongoing?
Yes, many commercial cleaning companies accept one-off or ad-hoc cleans, but the per-visit rate is usually higher than with regular contracts.
What is a “deep clean” and how often is it needed?
A deep clean involves more intensive tasks (e.g. carpet shampooing, detailed window washing, grout cleaning). It’s often scheduled quarterly or bi-annually atop your regular service.
Are weekend or after-hours cleans more expensive?
Yes, many providers charge a premium for non-business hours work (e.g. evenings, weekends, public holidays).
Should I compare quotes per hour or per square metre?
Use whichever model the provider uses, but ensure apples-to-apples. A per-m² quote may look low but may exclude extras. Hourly quotes must detail number of cleaners and hours.
How can I reduce my commercial cleaning costs?
You can bundle services, schedule fewer but more thorough visits, negotiate a contract, limit the scope of cleaning (e.g. exclude rarely used rooms), or ensure the cleaner arrives efficiently (no delays or site complications).