Contract office and commercial cleaning in the UK typically costs between £15 and £25 per cleaner hour in 2026, with London rates usually higher at around £21.50 to £25.50 or more. A small office of under 100 square metres cleaned five times a week typically costs around £400 to £800 a month. The final price depends on the hours needed, how often you need cleaning, when it happens, what is included and the wages the contractor pays. Because the legal minimum wage alone now costs an employer around £15.70 to £16.10 an hour once holiday, National Insurance and pension are added, very low quotes should be treated with caution.
This guide sets out current UK cleaning rates, worked monthly examples, the factors that drive price and how to compare quotes fairly.
UK commercial cleaning rates in 2026
| Service | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Contract office cleaning (UK) | £15 to £25 per cleaner hour |
| Contract office cleaning (London) | £21.50 to £25.50 per cleaner hour, higher for large or complex sites |
| One-off deep clean | £20 to £35 per hour |
| Carpet cleaning | £40 to £60 per hour |
| Hard floor scrubbing and polishing | £30 to £50 per hour |
| Area rate (per visit) | £0.15 to £0.40 per square metre |
Rates compiled from published 2026 pricing guides by UK cleaning firms, including LWR Group, MNSS and ACS Office Cleaning. They are guide prices: a site survey is needed for an accurate quote.
Example monthly costs
| Site | Specification | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small office, under 100 sq m | 5 visits a week | £400 to £800 |
| 120 sq m office | 5 evenings a week, about 1.5 hours per visit, consumables included | £550 to £700 |
To estimate your own cost: hours per visit × visits per week × 4.33 weeks × hourly rate. For example, 2 hours × 5 visits × 4.33 × £19 = about £823 a month.
What drives the price
- Hours and frequency: the biggest factor. Daily cleaning costs more per month but less per visit than weekly cleaning.
- Timing: early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays usually cost more.
- Floor types and layout: carpets, hard floors, stairs and glass all take different time.
- Washrooms and kitchens: the number of toilets and tea points has a big effect on hours.
- Consumables: some contractors include soap, paper and bin liners, others charge separately.
- Security and vetting: DBS checks, airport passes or restricted access add cost.
- Wage commitments: paying the real Living Wage (£14.10, or £15.45 in London, for 2026 to 2027) costs more than the legal minimum, but often improves retention and standards.
- Minimum visit lengths: most contractors set a minimum, such as one or two hours.
Why very low quotes are a red flag
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour, rising to £13.21 in April 2027. Once holiday pay, employer National Insurance and pension are added, the direct cost of employing a cleaner on the minimum is roughly £15.70 to £16.10 an hour today, and around £16.40 to £16.70 from April 2027, before supervision, equipment, insurance and margin. Independent pricing guides treat quotes at or below about £14 per cleaner hour as a warning sign. Our guide to the National Living Wage 2027 and staffing costs shows the full calculation.
How to compare cleaning quotes
- Give every contractor the same specification: areas, tasks, frequencies and times.
- Compare hours, not just the total: a cheaper quote with fewer hours may simply be doing less.
- Ask what is included: consumables, equipment, periodic deep cleans, supervision and audits.
- Check wages and compliance: minimum or real Living Wage, right to work checks, insurance and COSHH.
- Ask about cover: what happens when your regular cleaner is off sick?
- Look at the contract terms: notice period, price reviews and service level agreements.
If you are bundling cleaning with other services, our guide to outsourced facilities management costs explains how wider FM contracts are priced, and our office deep cleaning guide covers periodic work.
Want a clear, fair cleaning quote?We survey your site and show you exactly how the hours and price are built.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does commercial cleaning cost per hour in the UK?
Typically £15 to £25 per cleaner hour in 2026, with London usually £21.50 to £25.50 or more.
How much does office cleaning cost per month?
A small office cleaned five times a week typically costs £400 to £800 a month, depending on size and specification.
Why do cleaning prices vary so much?
Hours, frequency, timing, what is included, vetting requirements and the wages paid all affect price.
Is it cheaper to employ my own cleaner?
Sometimes, but you also take on holiday, sick pay, cover, equipment, training, insurance and compliance, which a contractor normally includes.
Will cleaning prices go up in 2027?
Most contracts include a review for statutory wage changes, so expect labour costs to reflect the National Living Wage rise to £13.21 in April 2027.
Commercial cleaning from WWSG
WWSG provides office and commercial cleaning across Luton, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and the South East. See our cleaning services, our Luton cleaning page, or request a quote.