How much do commercial cleaners charge in Wollongong?

Why do cleaning quotes in Wollongong feel all over the place? One week you hear fifty dollars an hour, the next someone swears they pay triple. The quick answer is that most commercial cleaners in Wollongong charge between 35 and 85 dollars per hour, or 0.12 to 0.40 per square metre, depending on the type of site, the frequency, and the risk profile of the work. That spread seems wide, but once you break it down, it starts to make sense.

Anyone who has ever managed an office, a clinic, or even a busy workshop knows the pattern. You call three cleaners. They ask the same questions. You give the same answers. The quotes land, and the numbers rarely match. Understanding why gives you a bit more control and a lot less frustration.

What do commercial cleaners usually charge in Wollongong?

Most commercial jobs fall into one of three pricing styles.

• Hourly rate, usually 35 to 85 dollars

• Square metre rate, usually 0.12 to 0.40 cents per square metre

• Package rate, common for strata, gyms, medical centres, and retail spaces

Hourly rates suit smaller sites. Square metre pricing suits large predictable spaces like schools or warehouses. Packages sit somewhere in between. Cleaners use the method that gives them the most certainty. They know that a 150 square metre office takes less time than a cluttered 150 square metre workshop, so the equation is rarely perfect. Still, the ranges above show where most Wollongong businesses land.

Why does the cost vary so much between businesses?

This is the question clients ask the most. The price gap often comes down to five things.

1. The type of site

Medical centres sit at the higher end. Retail stores and open-plan offices sit in the middle. Light industrial spaces can move up or down depending on dust, machinery, and safety requirements. A cleaner who handles clinical waste needs more gear, training, and insurance than a cleaner who vacuums carpets and wipes desks.

2. The level of risk

Risk influences training and supervision. A site with chemicals or moving equipment needs higher compliance. A low-risk office does not. Cleaners are running a business too. They factor risk into their quote to cover staff wellbeing and insurance obligations.

3. Frequency of cleaning

Regular clients often pay less per visit. A site cleaned five days a week builds routine. A site cleaned once a fortnight resets every time. The cleaner has to work harder on infrequent visits, which pushes the hourly rate up.

4. Hours of access

Late nights or very early mornings sometimes attract higher fees. Many cleaners stick to standard business hours when they can. If a site forces after-hours access, the rate edges up.

5. Special requirements

Windows over three metres high. Sanitising protocols. Floor polishing. Carpets that carry dust after every shift change. Anything that breaks routine will affect the quote. It is not about extras. It is about time, labour, and equipment.

How do cleaners calculate your quote?

A typical Wollongong cleaner uses a simple formula. Time multiplied by labour cost multiplied by the risk factor. This is not explained in the quote, but anyone who has worked in the industry for a few years recognises the pattern. Behavioural science calls this an anchor. The initial figure you hear shapes how expensive or cheap everything else feels. If the first quote you get is high, the next one feels like a bargain, even if the numbers are similar.

That is why smart businesses gather three to five quotes. It creates a more realistic anchor. Cleaners know this, so many sharpen their estimates early. You gain trust, and they win consistency. Both sides benefit.

What do real Wollongong businesses pay?

Anecdotally, small office users around Crown Street often report invoices between 80 and 180 dollars per visit for two to three hours of work. Retail shopfronts in Corrimal and Fairy Meadow sit closer to 120 to 220 dollars depending on foot traffic. Larger industrial spaces on the outskirts of town usually prefer square metre pricing. A 2000 square metre warehouse at 0.15 per square metre comes to about 300 dollars per visit.

These numbers are typical rather than universal. Still, they illustrate a pattern many local managers recognise. Prices lean low for stable sites and climb for anything complex, dusty, or high traffic.

Are commercial cleaning prices going up in 2025?

Yes, a little. Wage adjustments and the cost of supplies have increased across Australia. The Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review pushed labour costs slightly higher in 2024, and those adjustments continue to influence the sector across 2025. You can see the pattern in the Commission’s public updates here:Fair Work wage decision summary

Most local cleaners adjust their rates by five to ten percent. That feels small compared with industries like construction or childcare, but it still shapes your budget.

What should you ask a cleaner before accepting a quote?

People often focus on price alone, but the right questions save time and headaches.

• What tasks are included every visit?

• What tasks are billed as extras?

• How do they handle keys and access security?

• What insurance coverage do they carry?

• Who supervises quality?

• How do they manage replacements if staff are sick?

In behavioural terms, these questions increase your feeling of certainty. Cialdini’s principle of Authority comes into play. You trust providers who communicate clearly and show that they have done this many times before. Cleaners who answer with confidence signal reliability, and this often matters more than a few dollars on the invoice.

Should you choose the cheapest quote?

Anyone who has ever run a small business knows the lure of the cheapest option. It feels logical, especially during tight months. Still, cheap cleaning can cost more in staff complaints, health risks, and rework. Most Wollongong managers gravitate toward the middle of the price range once they have experienced both extremes. Not because mid-priced cleaners are better by default, but because their quotes usually reflect realistic labour.

Cheap quotes tend to rely on rushed time allocations. Expensive quotes cover every possible scenario. The middle often reflects the true job.

FAQ

How long does a standard commercial clean take?

A basic office of 120 to 150 square metres usually takes one to two hours depending on layout and clutter.

Do cleaners charge for supplies?

Some include supplies within their rate. Others itemise them. Expect a small variation, usually five to fifteen dollars per visit if billed separately.

Can you negotiate a commercial cleaning rate?

Yes. Many cleaners offer stable long-term rates if you agree on consistent frequency. They gain predictable income. You gain predictable budgeting.

Final thoughts

Commercial cleaning costs in Wollongong follow a pattern once you know what shapes the numbers. The space you operate, the time needed, the risk level, and the frequency all influence your quote. Prices vary, but they rarely vary without reason. Understanding that gives you clarity and a bit of calm. If you want to dig deeper into local options, you can explore providers specialising in commercial cleaning in Wollongong.