1. Labor Costs
| Cost Component |
Details |
Estimated Cost Range |
| Hourly Wages |
Entry-level cleaners |
$12 – $18 per hour |
| Hourly Wages |
Experienced cleaners |
$18 – $25 per hour |
| Hourly Wages |
Supervisors/Team Leads |
$20 – $30 per hour |
| Payroll Taxes |
Social Security, Medicare, unemployment |
10% – 15% of wages |
| Workers’ Compensation Insurance |
Varies by state and risk level |
2% – 8% of payroll |
| Benefits |
Health insurance, paid time off |
$200 – $500 per employee/month |
| Training Costs |
Initial and ongoing training |
$300 – $800 per employee/year |
2. Equipment and Supplies
| Item |
Purpose |
Estimated Cost |
| Commercial Vacuum Cleaners |
Heavy-duty floor cleaning |
$300 – $1,500 each |
| Floor Buffers/Polishers |
Hard floor maintenance |
$500 – $2,000 each |
| Carpet Extractors |
Deep carpet cleaning |
$800 – $3,000 each |
| Backpack Vacuums |
Efficient cleaning in tight spaces |
$400 – $900 each |
| Microfiber Cloths |
General wiping and dusting |
$1 – $3 per cloth |
| Mops and Buckets |
Floor mopping systems |
$30 – $150 per set |
| Extension Poles |
High dusting and window cleaning |
$20 – $80 each |
| Squeegees |
Window and glass cleaning |
$10 – $40 each |
| Trash Receptacles/Carts |
Waste collection |
$50 – $200 each |
| Equipment Maintenance |
Repairs and replacements |
$1,000 – $3,000/year |
3. Cleaning Products and Chemicals
| Product Type |
Usage |
Monthly Cost (per 1,000 sq ft) |
| All-Purpose Cleaners |
General surface cleaning |
$15 – $35 |
| Disinfectants |
Sanitization of surfaces |
$20 – $50 |
| Glass Cleaners |
Windows and mirrors |
$8 – $20 |
| Floor Cleaners |
Various floor types |
$25 – $60 |
| Restroom Cleaners |
Toilet bowls, urinals, sinks |
$15 – $40 |
| Carpet Spot Removers |
Stain treatment |
$10 – $25 |
| Trash Bags |
Waste disposal |
$20 – $40 |
| Paper Products |
Toilet paper, paper towels |
$30 – $70 |
| Hand Soap |
Restroom dispensers |
$15 – $35 |
| Air Fresheners |
Odor control |
$10 – $25 |
4. Operational Overhead
| Expense Category |
Description |
Estimated Cost |
| General Liability Insurance |
Protection against damages/injuries |
$1,000 – $3,000/year |
| Commercial Auto Insurance |
If vehicles are used |
$1,200 – $2,500/year per vehicle |
| Bonding Insurance |
Employee dishonesty coverage |
$500 – $1,500/year |
| Office Rent |
Administrative space |
$500 – $2,000/month |
| Utilities |
Electric, water, phone, internet |
$200 – $600/month |
| Vehicle Expenses |
Fuel, maintenance for service vehicles |
$300 – $800/month per vehicle |
| Marketing and Advertising |
Website, ads, promotional materials |
$500 – $2,000/month |
| Software/Technology |
Scheduling, billing, communication tools |
$100 – $400/month |
| Uniforms |
Employee professional attire |
$50 – $150 per employee/year |
| Professional Services |
Accounting, legal fees |
$1,000 – $5,000/year |
5. Service Pricing Models
| Pricing Structure |
Typical Rate |
Best For |
| Square Footage |
$0.07 – $0.25 per sq ft |
Standard office spaces |
| Hourly Rate |
$25 – $60 per hour |
Small jobs, one-time cleaning |
| Per Room/Area |
$30 – $100 per room |
Specific area focus |
| Monthly Contract |
$200 – $5,000+ per month |
Regular ongoing service |
| Specialty Services |
Variable (typically 50-100% premium) |
Post-construction, medical facilities |
6. Additional Cost Factors
| Factor |
Impact on Pricing |
| Building Type |
Medical facilities and industrial spaces cost 25-50% more than standard offices |
| Cleaning Frequency |
Daily cleaning costs less per visit than weekly (economies of scale) |
| After-Hours Premium |
Evening/weekend work may add 10-25% to costs |
| Geographic Location |
Urban areas typically 20-40% higher than rural locations |
| Contract Length |
Long-term contracts (1+ years) may offer 5-15% discount |
| Building Condition |
Older or poorly maintained buildings require more time and supplies |
| Security Requirements |
High-security facilities may require background checks and special clearances |
7. Profit Margin Considerations
| Business Aspect |
Typical Range |
| Gross Profit Margin |
35% – 50% |
| Net Profit Margin |
10% – 25% |
| Owner/Operator Salary |
$40,000 – $80,000/year |
| Business Growth Investment |
5% – 15% of revenue |
Summary Notes
Total Cost Calculation Example (1,000 sq ft office, 3x per week):
- Labor: $180 – $300/month
- Supplies: $50 – $145/month
- Equipment depreciation: $25 – $75/month
- Overhead allocation: $75 – $150/month
- Subtotal Cost: $330 – $670/month
- Client Price (with profit margin): $450 – $950/month
These figures are industry averages and may vary significantly based on location, specific services required, and market conditions.
Cleaning Services in Nairobi
