Cost Comparison: In-House vs. Outsourced Cleaning
Labor Costs
Salaries (including taxes and benefits), potential overtime, costs associated with recruitment, hiring, and training.
Contracted service fees (often predictable and scalable based on service level and frequency).
Cleaning Supplies
Ongoing purchase of various cleaning chemicals, paper goods, and other consumables.
Typically included in the service fees. Professional companies often have better purchasing power.
Equipment Costs
Initial purchase and ongoing maintenance, repair, and replacement of cleaning equipment (vacuums, mops, floor scrubbers, etc.).
Typically provided and maintained by the cleaning company, eliminating these capital and operational expenses for the client.
Training Costs
Responsibility for initial and ongoing training of cleaning staff on procedures, safety, and equipment operation.
Handled by the professional cleaning company, saving time and resources for the client.
Insurance Costs
Potential need for workers' compensation and liability insurance for cleaning staff employed directly by the facility.
Insurance (general liability, workers' compensation) is held by the cleaning company, transferring this responsibility and cost away from the client.
Management Time
Significant time allocated to overseeing cleaning staff, managing schedules, handling issues, and ensuring quality control.
Reduces the administrative burden on the client's management team, allowing them to focus on core business activities.
Potential Indirect Costs
Risk of OSHA non-compliance, potential for higher employee sick days due to inconsistent cleaning, potential for premature wear and tear on assets due to improper cleaning, costs associated with employee turnover.
Professional companies ensure regulatory compliance, often provide more consistent and thorough cleaning leading to better health outcomes and asset preservation, and handle employee management.
