A commercial cleaner in the UK typically costs GBP16-GBP30 per hour to hire, with a UK average around GBP18; ongoing contracts sit at GBP15-GBP25 and one-off or deep cleans at GBP20-GBP35. That charge-out rate is higher than the cleaner's wage because it also covers employer costs, equipment, insurance and margin. Figures are indicative for 2026 and attract 20% VAT.
How much does a cleaner cost per hour in the UK?
As a 2026 guide, a commercial cleaner costs about GBP16-GBP30 an hour, averaging near GBP18. Ongoing contract work is typically GBP15-GBP25 per cleaner per hour, one-off deep cleans GBP20-GBP35, and end-of-build sparkle cleans GBP25-GBP40. City rates vary - guide figures put London near GBP17, Manchester about GBP18.50 and Birmingham, Leeds and Leicester around GBP20. These are the rates charged to clients, not the cleaner's wage.
Why is the charge-out rate higher than the wage?
Because the hourly charge has to cover far more than pay. On top of the April 2026 National Living Wage of GBP12.71 (or the real Living Wage of GBP13.45 UK / GBP14.80 London), a sustainable rate includes employer's National Insurance, holiday pay of about 12.07%, supervision, training, equipment, consumables, insurance, overhead and margin. Stacked together, that puts charge-out at roughly 1.3x-2.5x the wage - which is why an GBP12-GBP13 all-in offer is a red flag for wage, vetting or insurance corners being cut.
Hourly cleaner or a fixed monthly contract?
Paying by the hour makes sense for one-off jobs. For anything ongoing, a fixed monthly fee against a written scope is more predictable: you buy a clean building to a standard, not hours on a clock. We price contract cleaning and office cleaning that way. For every service line and its price, see the commercial cleaning prices pillar guide.
Do you pay VAT on an hourly cleaning rate?
Yes. Commercial cleaning is standard-rated at 20% VAT, so a GBP20 hourly rate is GBP24 including VAT to a client who cannot reclaim it. Most VAT-registered businesses recover it as input VAT, but the headline price includes it.
How do you get a firm price for your building?
An hourly rate is a benchmark, not a quote. We survey the site, agree the hours and tasks and return one fixed monthly fee delivered by directly employed, DBS-checked staff. Request a fixed monthly quote and we will price your actual requirement.
Indicative UK cleaner cost per hour (2026 guide only)
| Type of work | Rate per cleaner / hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK average commercial | about GBP18 | Typical range GBP16-GBP20 |
| Ongoing contract | GBP15 - GBP25 | Best value for regular cleaning |
| One-off deep clean | GBP20 - GBP35 | Extra time and equipment |
| End-of-build sparkle clean | GBP25 - GBP40 | Highest-detail one-off |