Regular UK office cleaning is commonly charged at around GBP1.50-GBP4 per square metre per clean, with one-off deep cleans nearer GBP2-GBP4 per m2. The rate depends on frequency, footfall, floor type and the standard required, and larger, higher-frequency contracts achieve lower per-m2 rates. All figures are indicative for 2026 and attract 20% VAT.
How much does cleaning cost per square metre in the UK?
As a 2026 guide, regular commercial office cleaning is about GBP1.50-GBP4 per square metre per clean, and a one-off deep clean or reset runs roughly GBP2-GBP4 per m2. On a 500 m2 office, GBP1.50-GBP4 per clean implies about GBP750-GBP2,000 per full clean cycle, though the monthly contract figure is what matters. Higher-frequency contracts usually achieve a lower per-m2 rate because mobilisation and travel are spread across more visits.
What does the per-square-metre rate include?
A per-m2 rate normally covers the routine clean - floors, desks and touchpoints, washrooms, kitchens, bins and general areas. Periodic tasks (carpet deep-cleaning, high-level dusting, hard-floor strip-and-seal, window cleaning) are usually priced separately, as are consumables in some contracts. Confirm what a quoted rate assumes before you compare it, and check whether it is per clean or per month.
Why do per-square-metre rates vary so much?
The range is wide because area is only one input. Footfall, clutter, floor finish, the standard required and the cleaning frequency all change the labour hours a square metre needs. We price office cleaning and wider commercial cleaning as a fixed monthly fee against a written specification, which reflects those variables better than a single per-m2 number. For every service line and its price, see the commercial cleaning prices pillar guide.
How do the wage floor and VAT affect per-m2 pricing?
The per-m2 rate must cover the cleaner's wage and on-costs. From April 2026 the National Living Wage is GBP12.71 an hour and the real Living Wage GBP13.45 UK / GBP14.80 London; with employer's NI, holiday pay, equipment, insurance and margin, charge-out is about 1.3x-2.5x the wage. Commercial cleaning is standard-rated at 20% VAT on top of the per-m2 price.
How do you get a firm price for your floor area?
Use the per-m2 rate to sanity-check, then get a proper quote. We survey the area, agree the specification and return one fixed monthly price delivered by directly employed, DBS-checked staff. Request a fixed monthly quote and we will price your actual square metres.
Indicative UK cleaning cost per square metre (2026 guide only)
| Basis | Typical rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular office (per m2, per clean) | GBP1.50 - GBP4.00 | Lower per-m2 as frequency rises |
| One-off deep clean (per m2) | GBP2.00 - GBP4.00 | Extra time, detail and equipment |
| Equivalent per sq ft | GBP0.15 - GBP0.30 | Confirm the unit before comparing |
| Periodic tasks | Extra | Carpets, windows, hard floors, high-level |