How Commercial Cleaning Is Priced in Ontario
Before looking at numbers by facility type, it helps to understand how rates are calculated. Ontario commercial cleaning companies quote monthly flat rates based on three core variables:
- Square footage — the single biggest driver. More area = more labour time.
- Cleaning frequency — 1×/week, 3×/week, and daily each have different per-visit and monthly rates. More frequency = lower per-visit cost but higher monthly total.
- Scope of service — basic janitorial (trash, vacuuming, washrooms, surfaces) vs. full-service (floor machines, window cleaning, high-dust, periodic deep cleans).
A fourth variable — facility type — overlays everything else. A 3,000 sq ft daycare costs more to clean than a 3,000 sq ft open-plan office, because daycares require regulated disinfectants, cleaning logs, and Vulnerable Sector-screened staff. Healthcare facilities cost even more.
Office Cleaning Prices Ontario 2026
Office cleaning is the most common commercial cleaning contract in Ontario, and pricing is well-established across the GTA market.
Typical Monthly Rates by Office Size
| Office Size | 2×/week | 3×/week | 5×/week (daily) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000–2,000 sq ft | $350–$550/mo | $500–$750/mo | $750–$1,100/mo |
| 2,000–5,000 sq ft | $550–$900/mo | $750–$1,300/mo | $1,100–$1,900/mo |
| 5,000–10,000 sq ft | $900–$1,400/mo | $1,300–$2,000/mo | $1,900–$3,000/mo |
| 10,000–25,000 sq ft | $1,400–$2,800/mo | $2,000–$4,000/mo | $3,000–$6,500/mo |
Standard office cleaning includes: vacuuming, mopping hard floors, trash removal, washroom sanitization, kitchen/break room wipe-down, surface dusting, and glass entry door cleaning. Periodic extras like floor waxing or carpet extraction are usually quoted separately or bundled into a quarterly add-on rate.
See our detailed office cleaning cost guide for a full breakdown including what drives rates up.
Warehouse Cleaning Prices Ontario 2026
Warehouses are large-footprint spaces with industrial flooring, heavy equipment, and often shift-based operations — which affects how cleaning is scheduled and priced.
Typical Monthly Rates by Warehouse Size
| Warehouse Size | 1×/week | 2–3×/week | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000–15,000 sq ft | $400–$700/mo | $700–$1,200/mo | $1,400–$2,400/mo |
| 15,000–50,000 sq ft | $700–$1,400/mo | $1,200–$2,500/mo | $2,400–$5,000/mo |
| 50,000–150,000 sq ft | $1,400–$3,000/mo | $2,500–$5,500/mo | $5,000–$12,000/mo |
Warehouse cleaning includes: sweeping or ride-on scrubbing of concrete floors, dock area cleaning, washroom maintenance, office/lunchroom areas, and debris removal from racking aisles. Cold storage facilities (refrigerated or freezer warehouses) cost 15–30% more due to specialized products, condensation management, and slip-hazard protocols.
See our detailed warehouse cleaning cost guide for pricing by warehouse type including cold storage and e-commerce fulfillment.
Daycare and Childcare Centre Cleaning Prices Ontario 2026
Licensed daycare facilities in Ontario are regulated under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), which mandates specific disinfection protocols, cleaning frequencies, and documentation. This compliance layer adds cost compared to a standard office of the same size.
Typical Monthly Rates for Daycare Cleaning
| Facility Size | Daily (5×/week) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2,500 sq ft (home-based) | $900–$1,400/mo | Includes CCEYA logs |
| 2,500–5,000 sq ft (centre) | $1,400–$2,400/mo | VSS-screened staff |
| 5,000–10,000 sq ft (large centre) | $2,400–$4,500/mo | Multi-room zones, full docs |
Key cost drivers in daycare cleaning: Health Canada-approved disinfectants (DIN-listed products), mandatory cleaning logs that must survive Ministry inspection, Vulnerable Sector Screening for every cleaner who enters the facility, and age-segregated zone protocols (infant rooms require more frequent disinfection than school-age rooms).
See our detailed daycare cleaning cost guide for full pricing by centre size, plus what inspectors look for in your cleaning documentation.
Healthcare and Medical Office Cleaning Prices Ontario 2026
Healthcare facility cleaning in Ontario aligns with IPAC Canada (Infection Prevention and Control Canada) guidelines and Public Health Ontario standards. Pricing reflects the higher product costs, detailed documentation requirements, and training standards involved.
Typical Monthly Rates for Healthcare Cleaning
| Facility Type | Typical Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapy / chiro / massage clinic (1,000–3,000 sq ft) | $700–$1,500/mo |
| Medical / family practice (3,000–6,000 sq ft) | $1,200–$2,800/mo |
| Dental office (1,500–4,000 sq ft) | $900–$2,200/mo |
| Long-term care / retirement home (10,000+ sq ft) | $4,500–$15,000+/mo |
Healthcare cleaning includes: terminal cleaning of exam rooms and treatment areas, hospital-grade disinfectant application with required dwell times, high-touch surface protocols, washroom sanitization, and detailed cleaning records. Dental offices have additional requirements around amalgam waste handling and operatory-level disinfection.
See our detailed medical office cleaning cost guide and dental office cleaning cost guide for facility-specific breakdowns.
Restaurant and Food Service Cleaning Prices Ontario 2026
Restaurant cleaning in Ontario must align with Ontario Regulation 493/17 (Food Premises) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Public health inspectors assess cleanliness directly — a failed inspection can close your business within hours.
Typical Monthly Rates for Restaurant Cleaning
| Service Type | Typical Rate |
|---|---|
| Front-of-house nightly cleaning (under 2,000 sq ft) | $1,200–$2,200/mo |
| Kitchen deep clean (monthly) | $400–$900 per session |
| Hood/exhaust vent cleaning | $300–$700 per session |
| Full front + back nightly (medium restaurant) | $2,500–$5,000/mo |
Restaurant cleaning contracts often separate front-of-house nightly maintenance from periodic back-of-house kitchen deep cleans, which require degreasers, pressure equipment, and significant time. Get clarity on what's included at each frequency tier before comparing quotes.
See our detailed restaurant cleaning cost guide for a full breakdown including health inspection implications.
Retail and Commercial Space Cleaning Prices Ontario 2026
Retail cleaning pricing varies based on foot traffic, floor type (tile, hardwood, epoxy, carpet), fitting room complexity, and whether the space operates evenings or weekends (requiring off-hours access arrangements).
Typical Monthly Rates for Retail Cleaning
| Store Size | 3×/week | Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Small boutique (under 2,000 sq ft) | $400–$700/mo | $800–$1,400/mo |
| Mid-size retail (2,000–8,000 sq ft) | $700–$1,400/mo | $1,400–$3,000/mo |
| Large format / box store (8,000–25,000 sq ft) | $1,400–$3,000/mo | $3,000–$7,000/mo |
See our detailed retail cleaning cost guide for specifics on high-traffic floor care, seasonal deep cleans, and mall-adjacent locations.
What Drives Commercial Cleaning Rates Up in Ontario
Across all facility types, several factors consistently push quotes toward the higher end of market ranges:
What Drives Commercial Cleaning Rates Down
What's Typically Not Included in a Standard Commercial Cleaning Contract
Before signing, confirm which of these are explicitly included or excluded:
- Exterior windows above ground level
- Carpet shampooing or extraction (unless specified)
- Floor stripping, waxing, or machine scrubbing (often quarterly add-ons)
- Biohazard or bodily fluid cleanup
- High-level dusting (above 10 feet) or HVAC vent cleaning
- Outdoor spaces, parking garages, or loading dock exteriors
- Move-out or post-renovation deep cleans
- Consumables (paper products, soap refills) — varies by contract
How to Evaluate Commercial Cleaning Quotes in Ontario
Verify WSIB and Insurance
Ask for a WSIB clearance certificate and proof of $2M+ liability insurance. A provider without these exposes you to liability if a cleaner is injured on your property. Don't skip this step regardless of how good the price looks.
Compare Scope, Not Just Price
Request a written scope of work from each bidder. Check that the frequency, tasks, products, and any regulatory documentation requirements are explicitly listed. A $200/month cheaper quote that doesn't include cleaning logs may cost you a failed inspection.
Check Contract Terms
Look for auto-renewal clauses, cancellation notice periods (typically 30–90 days), and rate escalation terms. Some contracts include CPI-linked annual increases — know what you're agreeing to for years 2 and 3 of a multi-year deal.
Request References from Similar Facilities
Ask for two or three references from clients in the same industry. A company that's excellent at cleaning offices may not have experience with CCEYA daycare requirements or IPAC healthcare protocols.
Walk the Facility Together
A reputable cleaning company will want to do a walkthrough before quoting. A phone or email quote without a site visit is usually less accurate and may result in scope changes once the contract starts. On-site quotes result in fewer surprises.
Ontario-Specific Considerations That Affect Pricing
A few Ontario-specific factors that don't always show up in generic pricing guides:
WSIB Schedule 1 vs. Schedule 2: Most Ontario commercial cleaning companies are WSIB Schedule 1 employers. Always request a clearance certificate — not just a declaration. The certificate verifies the account is in good standing. Non-compliant companies often look attractive on price because they're not paying premiums.
Municipal bylaws on waste disposal: Toronto, Mississauga, and other GTA municipalities have specific rules about commercial waste pickup. Confirm whether the cleaning contract includes waste management or whether you're responsible for arranging commercial collection separately.
Seasonal rate adjustments: Some GTA cleaning contracts include seasonal clauses for entrance and lobby cleaning during salt/slush season (November–April), when floor care demands increase significantly. Clarify whether this is included at no extra charge or billed as a variable add-on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does commercial cleaning cost in Ontario?
Commercial cleaning in Ontario typically ranges from $0.08 to $0.25 per square foot per visit depending on facility type, frequency, and service scope. A 3,000 sq ft office cleaned three times per week runs approximately $800–$1,400/month. Regulated environments like daycares and healthcare facilities cost more due to compliance requirements and documentation.
What is the difference between commercial and janitorial cleaning?
Janitorial cleaning refers to routine daily or nightly maintenance — trash, vacuuming, washrooms, surface wipe-downs. Commercial cleaning is a broader term that includes janitorial services plus periodic deep cleans, floor care (strip and wax, machine scrubbing), window cleaning, high-dust removal, and specialty services. Most commercial contracts bundle both.
Is commercial cleaning priced per square foot or per hour?
Most Ontario commercial cleaning companies quote monthly flat rates based on square footage, frequency, and service scope — not hourly. Per-square-foot pricing is used during estimation. Hourly rates ($35–$65/hour) typically appear only for one-time or irregular jobs like post-construction or move-out cleans.
Why is daycare or healthcare cleaning more expensive than office cleaning?
Regulated environments require hospital-grade disinfectants, detailed cleaning logs, staff with Vulnerable Sector Screenings (daycares), and IPAC-aligned protocols (healthcare). These requirements increase product cost, time per task, and administrative overhead — which is reflected in pricing. Expect 20–40% more than a comparable office.
Do commercial cleaning contracts include supplies?
Most Ontario commercial cleaning contracts include cleaning supplies and equipment. Consumables like paper towels, soap, and garbage bags are sometimes included, sometimes client-supplied — clarify before signing. Ask specifically whether EPA/Health Canada approved disinfectants are included if you operate in a regulated environment.
Get an Accurate Quote for Your Facility
Rates depend on your specific space, frequency, and any compliance requirements. We do an on-site walkthrough before quoting — no phone-estimate guesswork. Serving commercial offices, warehouses, licensed daycares, and healthcare facilities across the GTA.
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