Understanding Cleaning Cost Per Square Metre
Per-square-metre pricing is the most transparent way to compare commercial cleaning costs in Ireland. Unlike hourly rates, which tell you how long a cleaner will be on site but not what they will achieve, per-square-metre pricing ties cost directly to the area being cleaned. This gives you a fixed, predictable monthly cost and makes it easy to compare quotes from different providers.
The rates in this guide represent the monthly cost per cleanable square metre for regular contract cleaning in Ireland in 2026. All prices are exclusive of VAT (23%). Rates assume a standard 5-day-per-week service unless otherwise stated. For a broader overview of cleaning pricing, see our comprehensive cleaning prices Ireland guide.
It is important to understand that “cleanable square metres” may differ from your total floor area. Areas that are not cleaned (plant rooms, storage, server rooms) are typically excluded from the calculation. Your cleaning company should measure the cleanable area during their site survey.
Cleaning Cost Per Square Metre by Premises Type
Office Cleaning — €1.50 to €4.50/m²/month
Office cleaning is the most common type of commercial cleaning in Ireland, and rates vary significantly depending on the office type, fit-out standard, and occupancy density.
| Office Type | Dublin (per m²/month) | Regional (per m²/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard open-plan office | €2.00 – €3.50 | €1.50 – €2.80 |
| High-spec corporate office | €3.00 – €4.50 | €2.50 – €3.80 |
| Serviced office / co-working | €2.50 – €4.00 | €2.00 – €3.50 |
| Small office (under 200m²) | €3.00 – €4.50 | €2.50 – €4.00 |
Small offices typically cost more per square metre because the minimum viable cleaning visit (1–2 hours) represents a higher cost relative to the small area. Larger offices benefit from economies of scale. See our office cleaning service page for more information.
Retail Cleaning — €1.80 to €5.00/m²/month
Retail premises require cleaning during or around trading hours, and high foot traffic means floors need more attention. The customer-facing nature of retail means cleaning quality directly affects the shopping experience.
| Retail Type | Dublin (per m²/month) | Regional (per m²/month) |
|---|---|---|
| High street retail | €2.50 – €5.00 | €1.80 – €4.00 |
| Shopping centre unit | €2.00 – €4.00 | €1.80 – €3.50 |
| Supermarket / grocery | €2.50 – €4.50 | €2.00 – €3.80 |
Retail cleaning often requires daytime portering in addition to out-of-hours cleaning, which increases the overall cost. For more on retail requirements, see our retail cleaning service.
Warehouse and Industrial — €0.80 to €2.50/m²/month
Warehouse and industrial cleaning is typically cheaper per square metre because the cleaning specification is simpler — primarily floor sweeping, scrubbing, and welfare facility cleaning. However, the large floor areas mean the total cost can still be significant.
| Industrial Type | Dublin (per m²/month) | Regional (per m²/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard warehouse | €0.90 – €2.00 | €0.80 – €1.80 |
| Manufacturing facility | €1.20 – €2.50 | €1.00 – €2.20 |
| Food production facility | €2.50 – €5.00 | €2.00 – €4.50 |
Food production facilities are considerably more expensive because of HACCP requirements, specialist cleaning chemicals, and the need for audit-trail documentation.
Healthcare Cleaning — €3.50 to €8.00/m²/month
Healthcare cleaning carries the highest per-square-metre cost because of the stringent standards required. HIQA standards, infection control protocols, colour-coded cleaning systems, and specialist training all increase the cost significantly.
| Healthcare Type | Dublin (per m²/month) | Regional (per m²/month) |
|---|---|---|
| GP surgery / dental practice | €4.00 – €6.50 | €3.50 – €5.50 |
| Nursing home / residential care | €4.50 – €7.50 | €3.80 – €6.50 |
| Hospital / acute care | €5.50 – €8.00 | €4.50 – €7.50 |
| Pharmacy / clinic | €3.50 – €5.50 | €3.00 – €5.00 |
Education — €1.80 to €4.00/m²/month
Schools, colleges, and universities have specific requirements including child safeguarding, term-time schedules, and holiday deep-cleaning programmes. The large floor areas of educational buildings help keep the per-square-metre cost moderate.
| Education Type | Dublin (per m²/month) | Regional (per m²/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary / secondary school | €2.00 – €3.50 | €1.80 – €3.00 |
| University / college | €1.80 – €3.50 | €1.60 – €3.00 |
| Crèche / childcare | €3.00 – €4.00 | €2.50 – €3.50 |
Dublin vs Regional Pricing: Why the Difference?
Cleaning costs in Dublin are consistently 15–25% higher than in regional Ireland. The main drivers of this difference are:
- Labour costs — The Dublin labour market is more competitive. Cleaning companies must pay higher wages to attract and retain staff in Dublin, where the cost of living is significantly higher than in regional areas. The minimum wage is the same nationally (€13.50/hr in 2026), but effective market rates for cleaners in Dublin are €14.50–€16.00/hr compared to €13.50–€14.50/hr regionally.
- Transport and parking — Cleaning teams in Dublin face higher travel costs and significant parking charges. Many city-centre sites have no free parking, adding €10–€20 per day in parking fees per cleaning team.
- Competition for labour — Dublin has a larger hospitality and service sector competing for the same pool of cleaning workers, driving up wages.
- Cost of premises — Cleaning companies with Dublin depots pay higher rents, which is factored into their pricing.
Cork and Galway fall between Dublin and rural regional pricing, typically 5–15% above regional averages. Other cities (Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny) are broadly in line with regional pricing.
How Cleaning Frequency Affects Cost Per Square Metre
The cleaning frequency has a significant impact on the per-square-metre cost. More frequent cleaning costs more in total but less per visit, because the premises stays cleaner between visits and each clean takes less time.
| Frequency | Typical Office Rate (per m²/month) | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days per week | €2.50 – €4.00 | Baseline |
| 3 days per week | €1.80 – €3.00 | 70–75% of 5-day |
| 2 days per week | €1.30 – €2.20 | 50–55% of 5-day |
| 1 day per week | €0.80 – €1.50 | 30–38% of 5-day |
For guidance on choosing the right cleaning frequency for your premises, see our cleaning frequency guide.
What Is Included in the Per-Square-Metre Rate?
A standard per-square-metre rate for contract cleaning in Ireland typically includes:
- All labour costs (wages, PRSI, holiday pay, sick pay provision)
- Supervision and management
- Cleaning equipment (vacuum cleaners, mops, buckets, trolleys)
- Cleaning chemicals and consumables (unless specified otherwise)
- Quality audits and reporting
- Garda vetting and staff training
- Insurance coverage
Items typically excluded and charged separately include:
- Washroom consumables (toilet paper, hand towels, soap) — often a separate contract
- Periodic deep cleaning (quarterly or annual)
- Window cleaning (external)
- Specialist services (carpet shampooing, hard floor restoration, high-level dusting)
- Waste removal / skip hire
Always confirm what is included when comparing quotes. See our specification writing guide for help structuring your requirements.
How to Calculate Your Cleaning Budget
To estimate your annual cleaning budget using per-square-metre pricing:
- Measure your cleanable area — Exclude areas not cleaned (plant rooms, server rooms, storage). Your facilities team or landlord should have this figure.
- Identify your premises type — Use the tables above to find the relevant rate range.
- Apply the rate — Multiply cleanable area by the per-square-metre rate to get the monthly cost.
- Add VAT — Add 23% VAT to the net monthly cost.
- Annualise — Multiply the monthly cost by 12 for your annual budget.
Example: A 500m² office in Dublin at €3.00/m²/month = €1,500/month net + €345 VAT = €1,845/month including VAT = €22,140 per annum.
For a comparison of contract cleaning versus employing cleaners directly, see our contract cleaning vs in-house guide.
Why Rates Vary So Much
The wide range in per-square-metre rates reflects the significant differences between cleaning requirements. The factors that push rates higher include:
- Specialist requirements — Healthcare, cleanroom, and food production environments require specialist training, chemicals, and procedures that add cost.
- High-spec finish — Premium office fit-outs with marble floors, glass partitions, and designer furniture require more careful and time-consuming cleaning.
- Access restrictions — Sites with strict security, limited access hours, or complex key-holding arrangements cost more to service.
- Occupancy density — A call centre with 200 people in 500m² needs more cleaning than a warehouse with 5 people in 5,000m².
- Small premises — Premises under 200m² carry a higher per-square-metre rate because of the minimum viable visit time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Cost Per Square Metre
What is the average cleaning cost per square metre in Ireland?
The average ranges from €1.50 to €5.00/m²/month for standard commercial premises. Office cleaning averages €1.50–€4.50/m², retail €1.80–€5.00/m², warehouse €0.80–€2.50/m², and healthcare €3.50–€8.00/m². All rates are for a 5-day service, exclusive of VAT.
Why is cleaning more expensive in Dublin?
Dublin rates are 15–25% higher due to higher labour costs, competition for workers, transport and parking expenses, and higher operating costs for cleaning companies. Dublin office cleaning averages €2.00–€4.50/m² compared to €1.50–€3.50/m² regionally.
What affects the cost per square metre for cleaning?
Key factors: premises type, cleaning frequency, floor type, occupancy density, access restrictions, specialist requirements, location, consumables inclusion, and contract length. Healthcare costs more than warehouse; daily costs more total than weekly but less per visit.
Is cleaning priced per square metre or per hour in Ireland?
Both methods are used. Per-square-metre pricing is more common and better for regular contract cleaning as it gives a fixed monthly cost. Hourly pricing suits ad-hoc work, deep cleaning, and specialist services. For contracts, per-square-metre pricing focuses on outcomes rather than hours.
How does cleaning frequency affect the cost per square metre?
Higher frequency increases total monthly cost but reduces cost per visit. A 3-day service typically costs 70–75% of a 5-day service. A 2-day service costs 50–55%. Weekly cleaning costs 30–38% of the daily rate. The premises stays cleaner with higher frequency, reducing time per clean.
Do cleaning costs per square metre include VAT?
Most commercial cleaning quotes in Ireland are presented exclusive of VAT at 23%. Always confirm whether a quote is VAT-inclusive or exclusive when comparing. VAT-registered businesses can reclaim the VAT on their return.