Compare Commercial Cleaning Contract Prices in Australia | Melbourne Experts

Dipak Keshwala I Starworld Cleaning
6 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Learn how to compare commercial cleaning contract prices in Australia. Real costs, hidden factors, and expert tips for Melbourne businesses.

If you’ve ever requested quotes for a commercial cleaning contract in Australia, you already know this truth: prices are all over the place.

One company quotes $1,200 a month. Another offers the “same service” for $650. A third won’t even give a clear breakdown.

So what’s real? What’s inflated? And what are you actually paying for?

This confusion is especially common for businesses in Melbourne looking for common area cleaning, property sales cleaning, or 24 hour emergency cleaning—services that sound simple but vary massively in scope and risk.

In this guide, I’ll break down:

How commercial cleaning prices really work in Australia
Why cheap quotes often cost more later
How to compare contracts properly, not emotionally

By the end, you’ll know how to choose a cleaning contract with confidence—without overpaying or compromising standards.

What & Why – Understanding Commercial Cleaning Pricing

What is a commercial cleaning contract?

A commercial cleaning contract is a long-term agreement where a professional cleaning company maintains business premises such as:

Offices and coworking spaces
Residential buildings (common area cleaning)
Retail outlets
Construction-complete or property sales sites

In Melbourne, pricing is rarely “one-size-fits-all.”

Why prices vary so much in Australia

Commercial cleaning prices depend on risk, frequency, skill, and accountability—not just hours.

Key pricing factors include:

Size of the space (sqm matters more than rooms)
Cleaning frequency (daily vs weekly)
Access hours (after-hours or 24 hour emergency cleaning)
Industry compliance (real estate, medical, strata)
Type of cleaning (routine vs property sales cleaning)

That’s why two quotes that look similar often aren’t.

Real Example – A Melbourne Case Study

A property management firm in Melbourne CBD needed:

Daily common area cleaning
End-of-lease property sales cleaning
On-call 24 hour emergency cleaning for water leaks

Quote A (Cheap Option)

Monthly cost: $720
No emergency response guarantee
No supervisor checks
Casual staff rotation weekly

Quote B (Professional Option)

Monthly cost: $1,180
Emergency response within 90 minutes
Fixed cleaning team
Weekly quality audits

What happened? The cheaper option resulted in:

Missed cleans before inspections
Emergency delays during a flood
Complaints from tenants

They switched within 3 months—paying more overall due to damage and rework.

Lesson: Price without accountability is not savings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Comparing Cleaning Contracts

Step 1: Break down the scope

Ask for line-by-line details:

Areas covered
Frequency per area
Consumables included or excluded

Step 2: Ask about staff experience

Especially critical for:

Property sales cleaning in Melbourne
High-traffic common areas

Experience reduces damage and rework.

Step 3: Check emergency response terms

If 24 hour emergency cleaning is listed:

Is response time guaranteed?
Is it written into the contract?

Step 4: Compare supervision & quality checks

Professional companies inspect their own work.

Step 5: Look beyond monthly price

Calculate:

Cost of missed cleans
Cost of complaints
Cost of switching providers

Tools You Must Use Before Signing

These tools protect you—not the cleaner.

Scope comparison checklist (request in writing)
Site inspection reports (before quoting)
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Emergency response clause
Proof of insurance & compliance

If a cleaning company avoids documentation, walk away.

Common Mistakes People Make

Choosing the lowest price without reviewing scope
Ignoring emergency coverage details
Not confirming staff turnover rates
Assuming “daily cleaning” means deep cleaning
Skipping reference checks

These mistakes are why many Melbourne businesses switch cleaners every year.

Checklist – Smart Buyer’s Guide

Before signing, confirm:

✅ Common area cleaning frequency is defined
✅ Property sales cleaning includes inspection-ready standards
✅ 24 hour emergency cleaning response time is guaranteed
✅ Same cleaning staff assigned consistently
✅ Supervisor audits included
✅ Insurance and compliance documents verified

Save this checklist. It will save you money.

FAQs

1. How much does commercial cleaning cost in Australia?

Prices typically range from $30–$55 per hour, but contracts are usually priced monthly based on scope.

2. Why is common area cleaning in Melbourne more expensive?

High foot traffic, strata standards, and liability risks increase costs.

3. Is property sales cleaning different from regular cleaning?

Yes. It requires higher detail, presentation standards, and tight deadlines.

4. Do all companies offer 24 hour emergency cleaning?

No. Many list it but outsource responses—always confirm in writing.

5. Can I renegotiate my cleaning contract?

Absolutely. Annual reviews are standard and expected.

Conclusion + CTA

Stop scrolling—this part matters.

The cheapest cleaning contract is rarely the most affordable one. And the most expensive isn’t always the best.

What wins every time? ✔ Clear scope ✔ Accountability ✔ Experience ✔ Emergency readiness

If you’re comparing common area cleaning in Melbourne, property sales cleaning, or 24 hour emergency cleaning, don’t compare prices—compare responsibility.