Cleaning company prices: what drives the cost?

Size and number of rooms

Size and the number of rooms, bathrooms and kitchens are the basis of almost any offer. A two-room flat differs from a two-storey villa with majlis rooms, an annex and a yard — and the difference isn’t only area, but the number of bathrooms and kitchens, which take longer than rooms, plus stairs, corridors and large glass.

That’s why the request form asks for the property type and size in rooms, or area for offices. The more precise your description, the closer the offers are to reality and the less they change after a site visit.

The type of cleaning

Regular cleaning focuses on what’s used every day; deep cleaning reaches inside cupboards, behind appliances, limescale and grout; post-construction cleaning removes fine dust and paint and cement residue in stages. Each needs different time, equipment and expertise, so prices differ a lot even for the same home.

A common mistake is asking for “cleaning” without saying which type, so offers can’t be compared because each company understood something different. Read about deep cleaning and post-construction cleaning to see which suits you.

The condition of the home

A home that’s cleaned regularly is easier and quicker than one that hasn’t been deep cleaned for a long time, one fresh from renovation, or a flat vacated after years of living in it. Built-up kitchen grease, bathroom limescale and heavy dust after storms all add hours.

That’s why the form asks about condition: regular, very dirty, empty, or after construction or renovation. An honest answer protects you from an offer that changes on the day.

Workers and hours

Some companies price per visit or per job, others by the hour and number of workers. If the offer is hourly, ask: how many hours do you expect, and what happens if the job isn’t finished in time? If it’s per visit, ask: exactly what does it include?

The number of workers sometimes affects duration more than cost — a bigger team finishes faster. It helps to know the expected team size so you can plan your day and check the offer is realistic.

Products and equipment

Most cleaning companies bring their own products and equipment, but some offers assume the customer supplies products, so the price looks lower. Always ask: are products included, which ones, and are they suitable for marble, wood and delicate fabrics?

Some services need specialist machines — sofa and carpet cleaning, marble polishing, tank and high-facade cleaning — and those machines are part of the cost of the service.

Sofas, carpets and curtains

This service is usually priced by the number of sofa seats, carpet and fitted-carpet area in square metres, and the number and length of curtains. Fabric type and condition matter, and so does whether cleaning is done at home or at the company’s workshop.

That’s why the form asks for the number of seats and the rough carpet area. Read about sofa and carpet cleaning.

Tanks and facades

For tank cleaning, the tank type (ground or roof), size, amount of sediment, access and any need for insulation or repair all matter. For facades, the building’s height, number of floors, glass area and access method matter, because work at height needs trained teams and safety equipment.

That’s why the form asks for the tank type and size, or the number of floors. Read about water tank cleaning and facade cleaning.

Frequency and contracts

A one-time clean is priced on its own; weekly or monthly visits and office contracts spread the cost over regular visits, and each visit is usually easier and quicker because the home or office never gets into a bad state.

When comparing a one-time offer with a contract, don’t compare the price of one visit with the price of a month. Ask: how many visits, what tasks at each, who supplies products, and what happens if a cleaner is absent? Read what an office cleaning contract should include.

Timing and seasons

Demand for cleaning rises sharply before Ramadan and in its last days before Eid, after sandstorms, and at the start of holidays and month-ends when many people move. At these times available slots may be fewer and offers may differ.

So it helps to book as early as possible, or choose a flexible date if you can. Read getting your home ready for Ramadan and Eid.

Why does the price sometimes change on the day?

What frustrates customers most is a price that changes after the team arrives. It usually happens because the request didn’t match reality: more rooms, extra bathrooms, an annex that wasn’t mentioned, a worse condition than described, or jobs requested on site that weren’t in the offer, such as outside windows or the roof.

To avoid this, describe your home accurately, send photos if the company asks, and ask for the written offer to state what it includes and excludes and what happens if extra work comes up: is it agreed before it’s done, and how is it charged? A serious company doesn’t add work or cost without agreeing it with you first.

How to compare offers

• Ask for written offers on the same scope: rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, inside cupboards, windows.
• Confirm the number of workers and expected hours.
• Ask: are products and equipment included?
• Ask about re-cleaning if an area isn’t done properly.
• Ask about compensation if something is damaged during the work.
• Ask about the workers’ documents, and that they’re employed by the company.

The cheapest offer isn’t always the best value — it may be cheaper because it includes less. Read how to choose a cleaning company you can trust in your home.