Hi everyone, I just started a small cleaning business, and I have the chance to bid on a small contract Could somebody tell me what is the rate for square foot for a 2 floors building in Maryland? Thanks.

Hi, kirson28!

How much experience have you had cleaning for others in order to make a profit for yourself, please? Also, what sort of things will you be required to do, how often and for how long? Will you be employing others to work for you, or is this just for you working by yourself?

There are many factors that can go into bidding on a cleaning job.

We have a very experienced owner of a cleaning company in the Chicago area on this site by the name of Stringer. I'm going to let him know about your post. He'll be able to give you outstanding advice.

Thanks!

Hello , I made a question yesterday about estimate a cleaning services for a2 floors building, I will have 4 people total to clean , 6 days a week , most of the building has carpet but has many glasses, windows to clean inside, 7 bathrooms, around 55 small rooms, around 60 desks for wipe kitchen, has many things for clean and I don't know how to get estimate, by quare feet or for labor. Please help me, thanks.
I have 6 years experience in houses and small offices, for me it is the same job but bigger and that is the problem for how much can I charge.

Hi again, kirson28!

I've moved your threads together. No need to start another one.

I informed Stringer, a number of hours ago about your question, and he has assured me that he will be addressing it.

Please only continue to post on this thread and not start any new threads, unless they are about a totally different question.

Thanks!

I am sorry that it took me so long to respond to this thread, I have been extremely busy lately, my apologies.

HI kirson28,

Thank you for the information that Clough requested, it is difficult to respond intelligently when we are "fishing."

I understand the density of the building, my question now is do you know the total CLEANABLE square footage? This is the net cleanable space total for the job. Not the total sq ft of the building as there are areas that you do not clean such as possibly the furnace areas, storage areas, closets, basement areas, etc. And this is what your experienced competitors will be using to bid.

Cleaning larger buildings IS different than doing smaller ones. To be effective, get the bid and be profitable you need to be efficient too.

For example;

One person gathers all the trash and puts it in a staging area (off the carpet in case it leaks). Then this person would go and do something else such as the sweeping and mopping of the VCT (tile floors).

Also assign the people that are doing the dusting and cleaning to certain areas that they will be responsible for. They will always do these areas unless you change them. They will get used to the areas and hopefully take pride in their work. Also, if something is not done properly you will now know who needs more training or possible replacement.

When one person finishes sooner than the others, make adjustments to "even" out the time and work. And if for some reason one has more work, such as an area that had a party that day, train your people that everyone pitches in to help at that area when they are finished with their area. These are things that you need to tell them/train them before they do the work, afterward it will be impossible as they will tell you that they did their job already and want to go home.

Then when all are finished with their assigned areas and on their way out they all pick the trash from the staging area, take it to the dumpsters and secure the building and leave. Remember to turn out the lights.

This method I have found to be the most productive and you build ownership of the building with your employees in their particular areas.

I have tried the "team cleaning" method, where everyone starts in one area and moves through the building cleaning. And I don't prefer it.

Results from team cleaning; something doesn't get done... "well, I thought that Susy did it....." that doesn't happen with assigned areas. AND when people are together... they will socialize and talk between themselves... not productive either...

Your labor is the largest part of your monthly billing... keep it in line Always!

I hope I helped some, please let me know the net sq ft of this building please.

Stringer

I do hope that kirson28 returns!

Very excellent advice as usual by you, Stringer!

Thanks!

I do hope that kirson28 returns!

Very excellent advice as usual by you, Stringer!

Thanks!

Welcome Clough, my friend, I too would like to pursue this further and hope the OP returns.