How much does building cleaning cost in 2026? Honest prices (Ruhr area)
Our rate for regular cleaning is 35,00 € net per hour, equivalent to 41,65 € including 19% VAT. The total cost for your property depends on the agreed scope of services, the time required and the cleaning frequency. After a free site inspection, you will receive a specific quote.
A fair cleaning price must cover more than the time spent with a mop or vacuum cleaner: it also has to fund paid holiday, sickness, employer contributions, materials, equipment, travel and administration. Here we explain our pricing basis and show why an hourly rate of around €32 net can already be tightly calculated. As of September 2026.
Why a €15 hourly wage does not enable cleaning for €15
Since 1 January 2026, the industry minimum wage for interior and regular cleaning (pay group 1) is 15,00 € gross per employee hour. For window and façade cleaning (pay group 6) it is 18,40 €. These are employee wages, not customer prices. The amounts and the assignment of activities are set out in the Collective Agreement on Industry Minimum Wages.
A business also pays for hours in which no cleaning can take place at the client’s premises, such as annual leave and public holidays. On top of this come employer contributions and other operating costs. These costs must be absorbed by the hours that are actually billable. Employment as a mini-job does not eliminate these costs either.
Model calculation: around €33 net per productive hour
The following calculation for regular cleaning on a mini-job basis illustrates the order of magnitude. It is a calculation model with specific cost assumptions, not a general industry rate and not a quotation for a specific property.
- 15,00 € direct gross wage per hour.
- 9,68 € covers calculated employer contributions and paid absence periods, including their associated contributions.
- 24,68 € are thus the labour costs per productive hour.
- A further 6,80 € covers materials, equipment, personal protective equipment, a proportionate share of travel, supervision and administration.
- 31,48 € are the calculated internal costs.
- 1,57 € corresponds to a markup of 5% on these internal costs to cover risk and profit.
- The total of 33,05 € net represents the calculated billing rate; including 19% VAT, this amounts to 39,33 € gross.
The amounts are rounded. In particular, the employment model, paid downtime, utilisation rate, travel distances and site size influence the result. Window cleaning and demanding special services require a separate calculation due to different wages, equipment or safety requirements.
What does a quote below 32 € net mean?
At 32,00 € net per hour, this model calculation leaves only 0,52 € above internal costs. This corresponds to a markup of less than 2%. Additional travel time, higher material requirements or a more complex site can quickly exhaust this margin. 32,00 € net corresponds to 38,08 € including VAT.
This is therefore a critical checkpoint for our pricing. Our billing rate for regular cleaning is €35,00 net per hour (€41,65 gross). To determine the total cost, we assess your site and the time required.
However, the price alone does not indicate the reliability of another company. A lower quote may, for example, result from short travel distances, large contiguous areas or a different cost structure. What matters is whether the quoted price covers the full scope of services and a proper standard of execution. The 32 € mark is a notional benchmark, not a statutory price floor.
Hourly rate, per-square-metre price or monthly flat fee?
The hourly rate shows the price of one hour of work. To determine the total cost, you also need to know how many hours are allocated and which services are included.
A per-square-metre rate always needs a reference point: per visit, per month, or for a one-off clean. A price without this context cannot be meaningfully compared. Complex sanitary areas require significantly more time per square metre than open floor surfaces.
A monthly flat rate is easy to budget for with recurring office cleaning or stairwell cleaning, provided that tasks, frequency and additional services are set out in writing. The underlying time allocation remains a key component of the calculation.
Two worked examples using explicitly assumed times
The following examples illustrate the calculation only. They do not describe any actual completed client jobs and do not constitute a commitment that a specific property can be cleaned within this timeframe. Materials, travel and any surcharges must be clearly itemised or explicitly included in the specific quotation.
Example 1: three working hours per week
Assume that the agreed scope requires three working hours per weekly visit: 3 × 35,00 € = 105,00 € net per visit, i.e. 124,95 € gross. With an assumed 52 visits per year, the monthly average is: 105,00 € × 52 ÷ 12 = 455,00 € net or 541,45 € gross.
Example 2: 90 minutes every two weeks
Assume that a visit requires 1,5 working hours: 1,5 × 35,00 € = 52,50 € net per visit, rounded to 62,48 € gross. With an assumed 26 visits per year, the monthly average is: 52,50 € × 26 ÷ 12 = 113,75 € net or 135,36 € gross.
„Every two weeks“ means 26 visits in the annual model and is not the same as „twice a month“ with 24 visits. Also, one hour with two people working simultaneously equals two working hours. Such details should be clear before a contract is signed.
How to compare cleaning quotations
- Same scope of services: Which rooms, surfaces and tasks are included? How often is each task carried out?
- Transparent time allocation: How many working hours are planned? Does the estimate match the area, fittings and level of soiling?
- Complete pricing: Are materials, equipment, travel and any surcharges included? Is VAT clearly itemised?
- Clear accountability: Who is the point of contact, how are complaints handled and what insurance is in place?
- Contractual terms: How are the contract duration, termination, changes to services and any price adjustments regulated?
If prices are suspiciously low, ask for an explanation of the time estimate and scope of services. Then compare the full monthly or annual price for the same level of service. A low hourly rate saves little if additional costs or a higher time estimate are added.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Prices
Is €32 net a statutory minimum price for building cleaning?
No. The €32 figure here is a planning benchmark. Statutory industry minimum wages concern the pay of employees. The customer price additionally depends on cost structure and the specific job.
What does one hour of regular cleaning cost at Kleibrink?
Our rate is 35,00 € net per hour, i.e. 41,65 € including 19 % VAT. You will receive the specific total price and the services included in a quotation following an on-site inspection.
Does the same hourly rate apply to window cleaning and special cleaning?
Window cleaning and special services are quoted separately based on the task, accessibility, equipment and time required. The rate mentioned here applies to regular cleaning.
How do I know whether prices are net or gross?
A net price is the price excluding VAT. In this guide, the corresponding gross price including 19% VAT is shown alongside every customer price mentioned. The internal cost components of the model calculation are not individually offered services.
Can I get a fixed monthly price?
For regular cleaning, we can calculate a price for the agreed scope after a site visit. Tasks, frequency and included services are set out in the quotation.
How much will cleaning your property cost?
We will visit your property free of charge and prepare a transparent quotation. Tell us the location, type of property, approximate area and the cleaning frequency you require.