How much does commercial office cleaning cost in London in 2026
Commercial office cleaning in London runs roughly £20.50 to £26.80 per cleaner per hour in 2026, with contract rates of £20 to £32 and per visit square foot pricing of £0.10 to £0.30 on larger sites. This guide breaks down what you pay as a business, and how cleaning contractors win this work.
Key facts
- London office cleaning averaged £20.50 to £26.80 per cleaner per hour in 2026, above the UK core band of £18 to £25 (SMEBrief, updated 15 September 2026).
- Contract rates in London and the South East sit around £20 to £32 per hour, while ad hoc one off cleans run £20 to £40.
- Larger offices above about 5,000 square feet usually switch to £0.10 to £0.30 per square foot per clean, or £1.08 to £3.23 per square metre.
- A small 1,000 square foot office cleaned twice a week lands around £180 to £300 per month. A 5,000 square foot space cleaned daily is more often £700 to £1,500 or more per month.
- Out of hours and weekend work adds roughly £5 to £10 per hour, or 15 to 25 percent on the contract rate.
- Any London office quote below £20 per hour in 2026 usually signals missing insurance or non compliance with UK employment law.
What drives the price
Three things move an office cleaning quote more than anything else. Site size comes first. A compact 20 desk office is usually priced per hour, while anything larger and multi floor tips into per square foot or per square metre pricing. Frequency comes next. A daily five day clean earns a lower unit rate than a one off deep clean, because the contractor can plan staff and routes. The third factor is specification. Washrooms, kitchens, glass, carpets, and periodic deep cleans all add to the base rate.
The headline rate is not just wages. A compliant London quote covers pay, employer National Insurance, holiday and sickness cover, public liability insurance, equipment, chemicals, supervision, and margin. That is why a sub £20 figure should raise a flag rather than look like a bargain.
Hiring a cleaner for your London office
If you run a business, start by measuring your floor area and deciding your frequency. Those two numbers let you sanity check any quote against the ranges above. Ask every contractor for the same scope so you compare like for like, and confirm they hold public liability insurance and pay at least the Real Living Wage.
You do not need a long tender to find good people. On CQD New Gen you can post a commercial cleaning job for free, with no commission on either side, and describe the site, hours, and standards you expect. Local contractors see it and respond directly, so you keep the full relationship and the full value.
Finding commercial cleaning work in London
For cleaning contractors and crews, London office work is some of the steadiest you can win, because offices need a regular schedule rather than a single visit. The practical path is to be visible where buyers are already looking, quote accurately against the 2026 ranges, and show your insurance and standards up front.
Posting your availability and browsing live jobs on CQD New Gen is free right now, with no commission taken from what you earn. You keep direct contact with the client, set your own rate, and build a repeat book of monthly contracts rather than chasing one off cleans. Clear pricing and proof of compliance are what turn an enquiry into a signed contract.
How to get started
Whether you are hiring a cleaner or looking for cleaning work, the setup is quick. There is no password to remember. You log in with a magic link or a 6 digit code sent to your email, post or browse, and connect directly. Posting is free, and there is no commission on either side.
FAQ
How much is office cleaning per hour in London in 2026?
Most London offices pay around £20.50 to £26.80 per cleaner per hour in 2026, with contract rates of £20 to £32 and ad hoc one off cleans of £20 to £40. Out of hours and weekend work adds about £5 to £10 per hour.
Is it cheaper to pay per hour or per square foot?
Small offices under about 30 desks are usually priced per hour, which tends to be simplest and fairest for them. Larger and multi floor sites above roughly 5,000 square feet often move to £0.10 to £0.30 per square foot per clean, which can work out better value at scale.
Why should I avoid very cheap office cleaning quotes?
In 2026 a London quote below £20 per hour usually means the contractor is not covering insurance, holiday pay, or compliant wages. A fair rate includes pay, employer National Insurance, insurance, equipment, supervision, and margin, so very low quotes often carry real risk.
Does it cost anything to post a cleaning job on CQD New Gen?
No. Posting a commercial cleaning job is free right now, and there is no commission taken from either side. You keep direct contact with the contractor and the full value of the work.
How do cleaning contractors find office work in London?
Contractors win regular office work by being visible to buyers, quoting accurately against current rates, and showing insurance and standards clearly. On CQD New Gen you can browse live jobs and post your availability for free, with no commission, and deal with clients directly.