Your cleaning contract renewed, and the price went up again. Nothing about your office changed. Same suite, same desks, same restrooms. So why does it cost more every year?
If you manage an office in Palm Beach Gardens, you’re not imagining it. Here’s what’s driving the increase, what’s normal and what you can do to keep your cleaning budget under control.
A Big Reason: Florida’s Minimum Wage
Cleaning is hands-on work. When you pay for office cleaning, much of what you’re paying for is people’s time.
In Florida, the cost of that time has gone up every fall since 2021. In November 2020, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to raise the minimum wage step by step until it reached $15 an hour. Each step took effect on September 30.
| Date | Florida minimum wage |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2021 | $10.00 |
| September 30, 2022 | $11.00 |
| September 30, 2023 | $12.00 |
| September 30, 2024 | $13.00 |
| September 30, 2025 | $14.00 |
| September 30, 2026 | $15.00 |
That’s a $5 an hour rise in five years. And it doesn’t only affect entry-level pay. If a company wants experienced workers to keep earning more than new hires, their pay has to rise too.
Here’s a simple example using minimum wage only. Say one visit takes two cleaners three hours each. That’s six hours of labor. At $10 an hour in 2021, the wages alone came to $60. At $15 an hour today, they come to $90. Employer payroll taxes rise along with wages, too. And that’s before insurance, supplies or travel.
$15 was the last fixed step. Future changes are expected to track inflation, so plan for adjustments, not a freeze.
If your contract renews in the fall, notice the timing. It lines up with Florida’s September 30 wage steps.
Other Costs That Push Prices Up
Wages are a big piece, but they’re not the only one.
Insurance. Responsible cleaning companies carry insurance and workers’ comp. Those premiums can change every year.
Supplies. Paper goods, trash liners, cleaning products and equipment can all cost more over time.
Travel. Teams drive between job sites. Fuel and vehicle costs add up.
Training and turnover. Hiring and training a new cleaner takes time and money. Companies that keep good people pay for it, and so do companies that keep losing them.
Sometimes It’s Your Office That Changed
Before you push back on a price increase, take an honest look at what you’re asking for now compared to when the contract started.
More people in the office. If your team went from three days in the office to five, trash, restrooms and break rooms need more work.
Scope creep. Did someone ask the crew to start wiping down the fridge, restocking the coffee station or cleaning the conference room glass? Small extras add up.
New space. Added a suite, a break room or a second restroom? That’s more square footage.
Different hours. After-hours or weekend access can change how a company schedules its team.
If your scope grew and your price didn’t change, the increase may be overdue rather than unfair.
Is a Cheaper Company the Answer?
Maybe. But be careful. When one quote comes in far below the others, ask how they get there.
Here are a few questions worth asking any cleaning company:
Are your cleaners employees or subcontractors? Subcontractors can be harder to schedule and supervise.
Do you carry workers’ comp? If a cleaner gets hurt in your office and there’s no coverage, that can become your problem.
Can I see a certificate of insurance? Any established company should send one without fuss.
Who checks the work? If the answer is “you tell us,” you’re doing the quality control.
What happens when the regular cleaner is out? Listen for a real plan.
A low price that leads to missed trash, dirty restrooms and a new vendor search in six months isn’t a savings.
Five Ways to Keep Your Cleaning Budget in Check
You can control your costs without settling for a dirty office.
Write down the scope. A clear task list keeps extras from creeping in without a conversation.
Match frequency to traffic. A small office with light use may not need daily service. A busy one may need restrooms more often than desks.
Split daily and periodic tasks. Trash and restrooms happen every visit. Baseboards, blinds and vents can happen monthly.
Walk the space with your vendor once a year. Reset the scope before renewal, not after.
Ask about the contract terms. Know when your rate can change and how much notice you’ll get.
What Commercial Cleaning Costs Depend On
Every office is different, which is why a walkthrough beats a phone quote for commercial work. Price usually depends on:
Square footage
Number of restrooms and break rooms
How often you want service
Flooring types
Day, evening or weekend timing
Any special tasks, like interior windows or high dusting
For a look at what drives home cleaning prices, read our guide to the biggest factors affecting the cost of house cleaning services. Many of the same ideas apply to offices.
How Neat and Repeat Cleaning Prices Commercial Work
We don’t quote commercial jobs blind. We come out, walk the space with you and talk through what you actually need. Then you get a quote that matches your office, not a guess.
Here’s what’s behind that price:
W-2 employees. Every technician is our employee, not a subcontractor. They’re background-checked, bonded and insured.
Workers’ comp on every technician. We carry it on every person we send.
Real training. Our technicians finish the ISSA Certified Professional Housekeeper course and our own training before they start.
A family business since 1991. Rachel Duffie runs our Palm Beach Gardens branch.
Learn more about our office cleaning in Palm Beach Gardens and our full range of commercial cleaning services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did our cleaning price go up when nothing changed?
Labor is a big part of it. Florida’s minimum wage went up $1 an hour every September 30 from 2021 to 2026. Insurance, supplies and travel costs can rise over time too.
Should our cleaning contract say when the price can change?
Yes. A good contract spells out when rates can be adjusted and how much notice you’ll get. That way a renewal never catches you off guard.
Can we lower our cost without lowering quality?
Often, yes. Tightening the scope, moving some tasks to monthly and matching frequency to how busy the office really is can all help.
Do you clean offices outside Palm Beach Gardens?
Yes. Our Palm Beach Gardens office serves businesses in Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Tequesta, West Palm Beach and the rest of north Palm Beach County.
Get a Clear Commercial Cleaning Quote
If your cleaning budget keeps climbing and you’re not sure why, let’s take a look together. We’ll walk your space, review your current scope and give you an honest number.
Call Neat and Repeat Cleaning at (561) 245-3839. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
