Trying to figure out commercial cleaning costs in San Francisco? It’s true, things can be a bit pricier here. That’s often due to factors like higher labor costs, strict environmental rules, and sometimes tricky logistics compared to other US cities.
In this guide, we’ll break down what “cost per cleaning” really means, see how it compares to monthly contract pricing, and explain why cleaning less often doesn’t always mean a proportional drop in your bill.
Here’s a quick look at typical commercial cleaning costs in San Francisco to get you started:
| Metric | SF Range* | BAJFI Typical |
| $/sq ft | $0.14 – $0.22 | $0.12–$0.30 |
| Hourly Rate (per cleaner) | $38 – $55 | $30–$55 |
| Cost Per Clean (5k sq ft, 5×/wk) | $285+ | $240-$330 |
| Cost Per Clean (5k sq ft, 3×/wk) | $310+ | $270-$360 |
*Ranges are based on recent cost guides and industry data.
You can use this table to get a ballpark idea for your budgeting or see how quotes you receive stack up.
We believe in transparency. Here’s a look at how we figure out the cost per cleaning, so you can make the best choice for your business:
Labor is usually the biggest chunk of any cleaning bill. It’s important to know that San Francisco’s minimum wage is set to increase to $19.18 per hour on July 1, 2025. Plus, some downtown buildings have specific wage requirements (like prevailing wage or Minimum Compensation Ordinance rules) that can add to the labor cost.
Here’s something many people don’t realize: while we bill monthly, the average month has 4.35 weeks, not exactly 4. So, if your monthly price is $1,310 for 28 cleans (assuming 5 days a week in a month with slightly more than 4 weeks), skipping one clean means a credit of about $46.79 ($1310 / 28), not a neat $50.
Thinking of reducing cleaning days? Dropping from 5 days a week to 3 might seem like a 40% cut in service, but it usually only trims costs by about 30%. This is because some costs (like travel, setup) are fixed per visit, and scheduling fewer, longer visits can have its own complexities.
How long does cleaning take? As a general guide, we can typically clean about 3,500 sq ft of open-plan office space per hour. Of course, the actual time depends on your specific layout, how much furniture or equipment is in the space, and exactly what cleaning tasks are needed.
Several local factors play a big role in cleaning costs here:
To give you a clearer picture, here’s how costs might look based on space size and how often we clean. These numbers should help you plan based on your specific needs:
| Square Footage | 5 Visits / Week | 3 Visits / Week | 1 Visit / Week |
| 2,000 sq ft | $120 | $135 | $160 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $285 | $310 | $360 |
| 15,000 sq ft | $680 | $740 | $800 |
Some services go beyond the standard clean. We can often bundle these or price them individually, depending on how often you need them:
We like rewarding loyalty! Sign up for autopay and get a 1% discount on your monthly bill, for life. On a typical $3,000/month contract, that adds up to about $1,800 in savings over five years. It’s just one way we aim to provide great value and keep our pricing clear.
Cost per cleaning gives you a predictable flat rate for each scheduled visit. Hourly rates can change depending on exactly how long the team takes each time.
The main things are labor costs (including wages and benefits), how easy it is to access your building (parking, security), how often you need cleaning, and any specific environmental rules we need to follow.
Sometimes. Servicing zero-waste buildings might require extra steps like careful waste sorting or specific composting procedures, which can affect the price.
Absolutely! We’re happy to create a custom cleaning plan that mixes frequencies and task levels to fit exactly what you need.
Commercial spaces are usually larger, may require specialized equipment (like floor buffers), often have stricter cleaning standards or compliance needs (especially in healthcare or food service), and scheduling typically happens after business hours. These factors lead to a different pricing structure compared to residential cleaning.
Let’s talk! Get a detailed quote tailored to your space, usually within 24 hours.
Contact BAJFI today and ask how you can lock in that 1% lifetime autopay saving!
A “Force” you can Depend on!