Every growing business eventually asks the same question: hire our own cleaner, or bring in a commercial cleaning company? Here is an honest, numbers-based comparison for offices in Toronto and the GTA.
- In-house cleaning looks cheaper on the wage line but rarely is once benefits, sick coverage, WSIB, equipment, and supervision are added in.
- A commercial contract bundles staffing backup, insurance, and equipment into one predictable rate.
- In-house staff can make sense for very large single-site facilities needing 35–40+ hours of cleaning per week.
- Below that threshold, outsourcing is almost always the lower-risk, more predictable option.
- The real comparison is total cost of ownership, not the hourly wage alone.
The Real Cost of an In-House Cleaner
Hiring in-house looks cheaper on paper until you add up everything beyond the hourly wage: CPP and EI contributions, vacation pay, sick coverage, WSIB premiums, supervision time, equipment purchases, and consumable supplies. When one employee is off sick or on vacation, the cleaning simply does not happen unless someone else covers it.
| Factor | In-House Staff | Commercial Cleaning Company |
|---|---|---|
| Sick day / vacation coverage | Cleaning gap unless backup arranged | Provider sends a replacement |
| Equipment & supplies | Business purchases and maintains | Included in contract |
| Liability & WSIB | Business is responsible | Covered by provider’s insurance |
| Hiring, training, turnover | Business manages this ongoing | Handled by provider |
| Scheduling flexibility | Fixed to one person’s hours | Can scale up for events or deep cleans |
A Worked Cost Comparison
- In-house part-time cleaner, 15 hrs/week at $22/hr: roughly $17,000/year in wages alone — before CPP/EI (~7%), vacation pay (~4%), WSIB, and supplies, which typically add another $3,000–$4,500/year.
- That puts a realistic in-house total closer to $21,000–$22,500/year, and it still leaves gaps during sick days and vacation unless a backup is arranged.
- A commercial contract covering the same 15 hrs/week, with staffing backup, insurance, and supplies included, typically lands in a comparable or lower range — with no coverage gaps and no HR management required.
Actual numbers vary by building size, frequency, and scope, but the pattern holds across most GTA offices we quote: once total cost of ownership is calculated, outsourcing is rarely the more expensive option.
Where In-House Staff Still Makes Sense
For very large, single-site facilities with 35–40+ hours of cleaning work per week — think large manufacturing floors or big-box retail — a dedicated in-house custodian can make sense, especially if the role also covers light maintenance. Below that threshold, the fixed cost of a full-time employee rarely beats a structured commercial contract.
What a Commercial Cleaning Contract Actually Covers
- A defined scope of work with clear frequency (nightly, weekly, or custom)
- Backup staffing so cleaning never depends on one person’s availability
- Supplies, equipment, and insurance included in the rate
- A single point of contact for quality issues or schedule changes
If eco-friendly products matter for your workplace, most commercial providers can build that into the same contract — see our breakdown of eco-friendly commercial cleaning for what that actually involves and whether it costs more.
Is a cleaning company more expensive than hiring one employee?
Not usually, once you factor in benefits, sick coverage, supervision time, and equipment. Most GTA businesses find contract cleaning comparable or lower once total cost is calculated properly — the wage-only comparison is the one that misleads people into thinking in-house is cheaper.
Can a cleaning company match a specific schedule, like after 6pm only?
Yes. Commercial cleaning schedules are built around your operating hours, whether that is after close, early morning, or during off-peak windows. Most GTA offices run cleaning outside business hours specifically so it does not disrupt staff or clients during the day.
What happens if I am not happy with a cleaning visit?
A reputable provider will have a direct contact for feedback and will address issues at no extra charge as part of the service agreement. This is one of the practical advantages over in-house staff, where quality issues usually fall on an internal manager to resolve without a formal escalation path.
Not Sure Which Option Fits Your Business?
We can walk you through a cost comparison based on your actual space and schedule.
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