How Much Does Commercial Cleaning Cost in London?

If you are responsible for managing an office, restaurant, gym, or any commercial space in London, at some point you will need to answer a simple question: how much should we be paying for cleaning?

The problem is that most London cleaning companies avoid publishing their prices. They want you to call, book a site survey, and enter a sales conversation before you have any idea whether the numbers will work for your budget. That is frustrating if you are an office manager or facilities manager trying to do basic cost comparison before shortlisting providers.

Average Commercial Cleaning Cost Per Hour in London in 2026

Hourly rates are the most commonly referenced pricing model in London's commercial cleaning market. They are useful for comparing providers and for estimating costs before a site survey confirms the final figure.

In 2026, the typical hourly rates for commercial cleaning in London break down as follows.

Standard office cleaning for regular contract work falls between £25 and £40 per hour. This covers the core tasks most businesses need: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, bin emptying, kitchen and washroom cleaning, and surface sanitisation. The rate depends on office size, cleaning frequency, and whether the work takes place during or outside business hours.

Deep cleaning sits higher, typically between £30 and £50 per hour. Deep cleans are more intensive and cover areas that routine cleaning does not reach. This includes carpet extraction, washroom descaling, kitchen degreasing, high-level dusting, and full sanitisation of all surfaces. Most London businesses schedule deep cleans quarterly or biannually.

Specialist cleaning for medical facilities, laboratories, industrial kitchens, and environments with specific compliance requirements starts at £35 per hour and goes upward depending on the certifications, products, and procedures involved.

It is worth noting that any London cleaning quote below £20 per hour should raise questions. At that rate, it is very difficult for a provider to pay the London Living Wage, cover employer's National Insurance, maintain proper insurance, supply professional-grade equipment and products, and still deliver a consistent standard. Low headline rates usually mean corners are being cut somewhere.

Commercial Cleaning Cost by Office Size in London

Hourly rates are a useful starting point, but what most business owners and office managers actually want to know is: how much will this cost me per month? That depends primarily on the size of your space and how often you need cleaning.

Here are realistic monthly estimates for regular contract cleaning in London, based on a standard weekly clean with daily cleaning priced separately.

A small office of up to 2,000 square feet typically costs between £400 and £800 per month for cleaning two to three times per week. This covers a team of one to two cleaners for one to two hours per visit.

A medium office of 2,000 to 5,000 square feet falls between £800 and £1,500 per month for three to five cleans per week. The team size increases to two to three cleaners, and visit duration extends accordingly.

A large office of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet ranges from £1,500 to £3,000 per month for daily cleaning. Larger spaces require more cleaners, longer visit times, and often include additional tasks like washroom restocking and kitchen maintenance.

For offices above 10,000 square feet, pricing is almost always bespoke and depends heavily on the layout, number of floors, washroom count, kitchen facilities, and access arrangements. A site survey is essential at this scale.

These figures assume standard office cleaning during weekday evenings or early mornings. Central London locations, particularly in the City, Canary Wharf, and Westminster, may attract a premium of 10 to 20 percent due to higher travel costs, congestion charges, and security requirements.

Commercial Cleaning Cost Per Square Foot in London

Some providers quote per square foot rather than per hour. This model works well for larger or more standardised spaces where the scope of work can be calculated from a floor plan.

In London in 2026, typical per-square-foot rates are as follows.

Regular office cleaning falls between £0.10 and £0.25 per square foot per visit. The lower end applies to open-plan spaces with minimal washroom and kitchen facilities. The higher end applies to offices with multiple kitchens, high washroom counts, or complex layouts.

Deep cleaning ranges from £0.20 to £0.35 per square foot. This is typically a one-off or periodic charge rather than a recurring contract rate.

Retail cleaning sits between £0.10 and £0.20 per square foot, depending on store size and foot traffic.

Per-square-foot pricing gives you a quick way to estimate costs from a floor plan, but it does not capture every variable. Two offices of the same size can cost very different amounts to clean if one has ten meeting rooms and three kitchens while the other is open plan with a single kitchenette.

What Affects the Price of Commercial Cleaning in London

The headline rate is never the full picture. Several factors can push your actual cost higher or lower than the averages listed above.

Cleaning frequency

More frequent cleaning increases the monthly total but typically reduces the cost per visit. A daily clean costs more overall than a twice-weekly clean, but the per-session rate is usually lower because the premises stays in better condition between visits and each clean requires less intensive work.

Time of cleaning

Most London offices require cleaning outside business hours. Early morning, evening, and weekend cleaning is standard, but some providers add a surcharge of £3 to £5 per hour for out-of-hours work. At C&A Commercial Group, we include evening and weekend cleaning within our standard rates with no hidden surcharges.

Location within London

Central London locations cost more due to congestion charges, parking restrictions, and higher travel times for cleaning teams. Offices in Zone 1 and parts of Zone 2 can expect to pay 10 to 20 percent more than those in outer boroughs.

Building access and security

High-rise buildings with restricted lift access, security sign-in procedures, or DBS clearance requirements add complexity and time. This is particularly common in Canary Wharf, the City, and government buildings in Westminster.

Scope of work

A basic clean covering vacuuming, dusting, bins, and washrooms costs less than a comprehensive service that includes kitchen deep cleaning, carpet maintenance, window cleaning, and consumable restocking. Make sure you understand exactly what is included in any quote you receive.

Industry-specific requirements 

Restaurants need kitchen degreasing and food hygiene compliance. Medical practices need infection control protocols. Gyms need high-touch equipment disinfection. Each of these adds time, specialist products, and trained personnel, all of which affect price.

Commercial Cleaning Costs by Industry in London

Different types of commercial premises have different cleaning requirements, and pricing reflects that. Here is what London businesses in specific sectors can expect.

Office cleaning is the most common and competitive category. Standard rates range from £25 to £40 per hour for regular cleaning. Most office cleaning contracts in London are structured as fixed monthly agreements with agreed frequencies and task lists.

Restaurant and kitchen cleaning costs more due to the intensity of the work and the compliance requirements. General restaurant cleaning runs from £25 to £40 per hour, while kitchen deep cleaning and extraction system cleaning can exceed £50 per hour. Restaurants that need cleaning to support their Food Hygiene Rating should expect to invest accordingly.

Gym and fitness studio cleaning typically falls between £25 and £40 per hour. The main cost drivers are the frequency of cleaning (gyms need daily attention to high-touch equipment), the size of the changing room and shower facilities, and whether specialist disinfection is required.

Retail cleaning is generally at the lower end of the range, between £20 and £35 per hour, depending on store size and foot traffic. High-street stores in Central London with glass frontage and public washrooms will sit at the higher end.

Medical practice and healthcare cleaning starts at £35 per hour and increases depending on the level of infection control required. CQC-compliant cleaning for GP surgeries, dental practices, and clinical settings demands trained staff, colour-coded cleaning systems, and auditable documentation.

End-of-tenancy commercial cleaning is priced per job rather than per hour. Costs depend on the size of the premises, its current condition, and the standard required for handover. A small office might cost £300 to £600, while a large commercial unit could run to £2,000 or more.

How London Commercial Cleaning Pricing Models Work

Understanding how pricing is structured helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid surprises.

Hourly rates are the most transparent model and are common for smaller contracts or variable-scope work. You pay for the hours worked, and the rate includes labour, products, equipment, and management. The downside is that monthly costs can fluctuate if visit durations vary.

Fixed monthly contracts are the most common model for ongoing commercial cleaning in London. The provider surveys your premises, agrees a scope of work and frequency, and quotes a fixed monthly fee. This gives you budget certainty and typically works out cheaper than hourly billing over time.

Per-square-foot pricing is sometimes used for larger premises or new builds where the cleaning specification can be calculated from floor plans. It provides a quick estimate but should always be validated with a site survey before signing a contract.

Regardless of the pricing model, always ask what is included. Consumables (toilet rolls, soap, hand towels), deep cleaning, window cleaning, and carpet cleaning are common items that may or may not be included in the headline price. A quote that looks cheap on paper can become expensive quickly if these are all charged as extras.

How to Reduce Your Commercial Cleaning Costs in London Without Cutting Corners

Every business wants value for money. Here are practical ways to keep costs down without compromising on quality.

Prioritise high-traffic areas. Focus your daily cleaning budget on washrooms, kitchens, reception, and shared desks. Meeting rooms and low-use offices can be cleaned less frequently. This is especially effective for hybrid workplaces where not every desk is occupied every day.

Bundle services. Combining regular cleaning with carpet cleaning, window cleaning, and deep cleans under a single contract typically qualifies for a 10 to 15 percent discount compared to booking each service separately.

Choose the right frequency. Cleaning five days a week is standard for busy offices, but some businesses can achieve the same standard with three or four cleans per week if staff numbers are lower or the space is not fully occupied every day. A good cleaning provider will help you find the minimum effective frequency rather than upselling daily service you do not need.

Invest in regular maintenance over reactive deep cleans. Consistent routine cleaning prevents the build-up that leads to expensive deep cleaning interventions. Businesses that skip regular cleaning and rely on periodic deep cleans almost always spend more over the course of a year.

Get a Transparent Commercial Cleaning Quote in London

At C&A Commercial Group, we believe in transparent pricing with no hidden charges. Our commercial cleaning rates in London start from £25 per hour for standard office cleaning, with deep cleaning, specialist services, and bespoke contracts priced according to your specific requirements.

We are SafeContractor approved, RoSPA assured, and CPD certified. Our teams are fully insured, background-checked, and trained in COSHH-compliant procedures. We use eco-friendly cleaning products and provide dedicated account management with regular quality inspections.

We serve offices, restaurants, retail stores, gyms, medical practices, and commercial properties across Central London, Canary Wharf, Westminster, Shoreditch, Camden, Islington, Kensington, Chelsea, and Greenwich.

Every quote starts with a free site survey so you know exactly what you are paying for before you commit to anything.

Contact C&A Commercial Group today for a free consultation and a detailed, no-obligation quote tailored to your business.