Calculate Your True Cleaning Cost
Most businesses dramatically underestimate the cost of in-house cleaning. They see the hourly wage and forget about employer PRSI, statutory leave, sick pay, equipment, chemicals, insurance, supervision, and recruitment. This calculator reveals the full picture so you can make an informed decision.
In-House Cleaning Cost Calculator
What the Calculator Includes
The in-house cost calculation adds the following to the basic hourly wage:
| Cost Component | Rate / Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic wage | €14.80/hr minimum (ERO) | Employment Regulation Order for contract cleaning |
| Employer PRSI | 11.05% of gross wages | Social insurance contribution |
| Holiday pay | 8% of hours worked | 4 weeks statutory annual leave + 9 public holidays |
| Sick pay | 1.5% of wages | Sick Leave Act 2022 (5 days from 2025) |
| Equipment | €120/month per cleaner | Vacuum, mop, trolley, PPE, maintenance |
| Chemicals & consumables | €80/month per cleaner | Cleaning products, bin liners, cloths, paper |
| Employer’s liability insurance | €125/month per cleaner | Strongly recommended; typically €1,500/year per operative |
| Supervision & management | 5% of wage cost | Time spent managing, inspecting, scheduling |
| Training | €40/month per cleaner | Induction, manual handling, COSHH, Safe Pass |
| Recruitment & HR | €50/month per cleaner | Advertising, interviewing, contracts, HR admin |
Why Most Businesses Underestimate In-House Cleaning Costs
The most common mistake is comparing the cleaner’s hourly wage directly with the contract cleaning company’s hourly rate. A cleaner earning the ERO minimum of €14.80/hr appears cheaper than a contract rate of €17.50/hr. But that €14.80 becomes €19–€23/hr once you add all employer costs.
The contract cleaning company’s rate of €17.50/hr is all-inclusive. It covers wages, PRSI, leave, equipment, chemicals, insurance, training, supervision, quality management, absence cover, and profit margin. There is nothing extra to pay. If a cleaner calls in sick, the company sends a replacement at no extra cost. If equipment breaks, the company replaces it.
For a detailed comparison of both models, read our contract cleaning vs in-house guide.
When In-House Cleaning Makes Sense
In-house cleaning is not always the wrong choice. It can be more cost-effective in these scenarios:
- Very large operations (50+ staff) — Economies of scale reduce per-head overhead costs
- Existing FM department — Management overhead is already absorbed
- Highly specialised environments — Pharmaceutical cleanrooms, semiconductor fabrication, where staff training investment is significant and long-term
- 24/7 operations — Where cleaning is embedded in production processes rather than a standalone service
For most Irish businesses with 1–20 cleaning staff, outsourcing is the more cost-effective and lower-risk option.
The Risk Factor: What Happens When Things Go Wrong
Beyond cost, outsourcing transfers significant risk to the cleaning company:
- Staff absence: The contract cleaner provides cover at no extra cost. With in-house staff, you either go without cleaning or pay overtime.
- Employment claims: Unfair dismissal, discrimination, and personal injury claims are the cleaning company’s problem, not yours.
- Compliance: ERO rates, working time regulations, COSHH, manual handling training — the cleaning company manages all of this.
- Quality: A contract includes KPIs and audit mechanisms. With in-house staff, you need to build your own quality management system.
Getting a Fixed-Price Quote from Optus Glean
If the calculator shows outsourcing is the better option for your business, the next step is a free site survey. We visit your premises, assess the cleaning requirement, and provide a fixed-price monthly quote within 48 hours. No obligation, no pressure.
Our contract rates include everything: labour, PRSI, leave, equipment, chemicals, insurance, training, supervision, quality audits, and absence cover. One monthly invoice. No surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to hire in-house cleaners or outsource?
For most Irish businesses, outsourcing is more cost-effective. An in-house cleaner on the ERO minimum of €14.80/hr costs €19–€23/hr once you add employer PRSI, holiday pay, sick pay, equipment, chemicals, insurance, training, and supervision. A contract cleaning company charges €15–€20/hr all-inclusive.
What hidden costs does in-house cleaning have?
Employer PRSI (11.05%), statutory holiday pay (4 weeks + 9 public holidays), sick pay under the Sick Leave Act 2022, cleaning equipment, chemicals, employer’s liability insurance, recruitment, HR administration, supervision, training (COSHH, manual handling, Safe Pass), and absence cover.
When does in-house cleaning make financial sense?
For very large operations (50+ staff), organisations with existing FM departments, highly specialised environments (pharmaceutical cleanrooms), or 24/7 operations where cleaning is embedded in production processes.
What is the ERO minimum wage for cleaning?
The Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for contract cleaning sets a minimum of €14.80/hr in 2026. This is higher than the National Minimum Wage (€13.50/hr) and applies specifically to the contract cleaning sector. See our ERO guide for details.
Does the calculator include VAT?
All figures are exclusive of VAT. Contract cleaning attracts VAT at 13.5%. In-house employment costs do not attract VAT. VAT-registered businesses can reclaim the VAT on outsourced cleaning, making the comparison even more favourable for outsourcing.