Office cleaning in Chicago typically runs about $0.12 to $0.30 per square foot per month for five nights a week, which works out to roughly $1,200 to $3,000 a month for a 10,000 square foot office. A small suite cleaned two or three times a week usually lands between $450 and $1,300 a month. Downtown towers, medical space and buildings with heavy winter floor care sit at the top of those ranges.
These are planning figures in US dollars, not a quote. The sections below show how Chicago contractors arrive at a number and what to look for when bids come back far apart.
Monthly ranges by facility type
The office rows assume standard after-hours janitorial work: trash and recycling, restrooms, kitchens and break rooms, vacuuming, mopping hard floors and dusting surfaces you can reach from the floor. Cleaning chemicals and liners are normally included. Paper products and hand soap are often billed separately or supplied by the tenant.
| Facility | Visits per week | Typical monthly range |
|---|---|---|
| Small office, 1,500 to 3,000 sq ft | 2 to 3 | $450 to $1,300 |
| Office, 5,000 sq ft | 5 | $800 to $1,700 |
| Office, 10,000 sq ft | 5 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Office, 25,000 sq ft | 5 | $2,800 to $6,500 |
| Medical or dental clinic, 4,000 sq ft | 5 to 6 | $1,300 to $3,000 |
| Warehouse, 50,000 sq ft (office area plus floor scrubbing) | 3 to 5 | $1,800 to $4,800 |
Bigger buildings pay less per foot. Travel, supervision and setup cost a contractor about the same for a 2,000 square foot suite in Lincoln Park as for a full floor in the Loop, so the small account carries more overhead per foot.
Hourly and per-visit pricing
Some Chicago contractors quote by the hour instead of by the month, especially for smaller offices and one-time jobs. Contract janitorial labor in the area generally bills at about $30 to $55 per cleaner hour, depending on the scope, the time of night and whether a supervisor checks the work. Specialty tasks are priced separately:
- Carpet extraction: often $0.20 to $0.45 per square foot per pass
- Floor stripping and waxing (VCT): often $0.35 to $0.80 per square foot
- Window washing, interior glass and partitions: usually quoted per visit after a walkthrough
- Post-construction cleanup: often $0.15 to $0.50 per square foot, depending on dust load and phases
Per-visit minimums are common. A contractor may charge the same for a one-hour visit as for a two-hour one, which is why a twice-weekly schedule can cost more than half of a five-night one.
Local factors behind Chicago prices
Labor rules and wage floors
Chicago sets its own minimum wage, which is higher than the Illinois statewide rate and adjusts every July 1. The city's Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave ordinance, in effect since July 2024, also adds cost per worker. Contractors who pay legally and carry workers' compensation, which Illinois requires for employers, cannot match bids from operators who skip these obligations. A price far below the ranges above deserves a question about how the crew is paid.
Union buildings downtown
Many Class A office towers in the Loop, River North and the West Loop use janitorial crews covered by a union master agreement. If your building or landlord requires union labor, expect pricing near the top of the ranges and fewer contractors able to bid. Suburban office parks in Schaumburg, Oak Brook or Itasca usually have a wider field of bidders.
Salt season floor care
From December through March, road salt and slush come in on every pair of boots. Entrance mats need more frequent changes, hard floors need neutralizer to remove the white chloride film, and carpet near doors wears faster. Many Chicago buildings add a winter floor care line to the contract, then book carpet extraction in April once the salt is gone. Ask each bidder whether winter work is included or billed as an extra, since this is one of the biggest sources of surprise invoices.
Security and access
Towers with badge access, freight elevator schedules and security escorts slow a crew down. If cleaners can only use the freight elevator after 7 p.m., or have to sign in and out at a security desk, the contractor will add time to the bid.
Sales tax
Illinois does not generally apply sales tax to janitorial services, unlike some other states. Supplies billed separately, such as paper towels resold to you at a markup, can be treated differently, so ask your accountant how itemized supply charges should be handled.
How to compare janitorial bids
Bids for the same building can vary by 40% or more, and most of the gap usually comes from scope rather than efficiency. Before comparing totals:
- Write one scope of work and send the same document to every bidder, with task frequencies (nightly, weekly, monthly).
- Ask each contractor to state the hours per night they plan to spend on site. That number reveals whether a low bid is realistic.
- Confirm who supplies paper products, soap and liners.
- Ask how winter floor care, carpet extraction and floor refinishing are priced.
- Request a certificate of insurance listing general liability and workers' compensation.
- Check the notice period and whether the price is fixed for 12 months or tied to wage increases.
A walkthrough of your space gives a far better number than any per-foot estimate. You can also try the pricing calculator for a rough starting point before you request bids.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to clean a 10,000 square foot office in Chicago?
For five nights a week, a typical range is $1,200 to $3,000 a month. Buildings with union requirements, medical areas or heavy winter floor care usually sit near the top. Cutting to three nights a week often lowers the cost by a third, though restrooms and kitchens may then need a day porter.
Is office cleaning more expensive in Chicago than in the suburbs?
Often, yes. Downtown buildings add parking, security, freight elevator limits and sometimes union labor. Suburban offices with easy access and surface parking tend to get more bids and lower prices for the same square footage.
Does a cleaning contract in Chicago include supplies?
Most contracts include cleaning chemicals, equipment and trash liners. Paper towels, toilet paper and hand soap are frequently excluded or billed at cost plus a markup, so confirm this in writing before you compare monthly totals.
When should a Chicago building schedule carpet extraction?
Most buildings plan a full extraction in spring, after the salt season, with spot extraction at entrances during the winter. Doing a full extraction in January is usually wasted money, since salt and slush come straight back in.
Get cleaning bids for your Chicago building
Simple Service is based in Greater Montréal. For facilities in Chicago and across Chicagoland, tell us about your building and we'll connect you with a commercial cleaning team that serves Chicago. See what a typical office cleaning scope covers, read about commercial cleaning in Chicago, or send your square footage and schedule through the contact page.