The True Cost of Hiring a Commercial Cleaner

The True Cost of Hiring a Commercial Cleaner: Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

When you’re comparing commercial cleaning quotes, it’s easy to assume the cheaper option will save your business money. After all, cleaning is cleaning… right?

Not quite.

The commercial cleaning industry is one where low prices almost always mean low standards, and what looks like a saving upfront often ends up costing far more in the long run — through poor hygiene, safety risks, inconsistent quality, staff illness, contract breaches and property damage.

Here’s the truth most businesses eventually learn the hard way:

➡ Cheap cleaners are cheap for a reason.

Let’s break down exactly why some Brisbane commercial cleaning companies can offer bargain pricing — and what it really costs your workplace.

1. They Often Don’t Have Insurance (Major Liability Risk)

Professional commercial cleaners carry:

✔ Public Liability Insurance
✔ Products Liability Insurance
✔ Workers Compensation

Many cheap operators do not — because insurance premiums are expensive.
Which means:

• If a cleaner damages equipment ➜ you pay for it
• If a cleaner is injured onsite ➜ you’re exposed
• If chemicals damage flooring/furniture ➜ you’re liable

Insurance is non-negotiable. If a cleaner can charge a rock-bottom price, it’s often because they don’t have this essential cover.

2. They Use Untrained or Cash-Paid Workers

Cheap cleaners frequently cut costs by hiring:

• untrained staff
• subcontractors paid cash
• workers with no police check or Blue Card
• people not covered by workplace laws

This creates serious issues:

• inconsistent results
• high staff turnover
• no accountability
• security risks in schools, offices and aged care

You get what you pay for — and untrained staff always equals poor cleaning.

3. Cheap Cleaning Products = Poor Hygiene

High-quality eco-friendly chemicals cost more — so budget cleaners use the cheapest products they can find.

This results in:

• streaky glass
• chemical smells
• sticky floors
• bacteria left behind
• increased illness in the workplace
• damaged surfaces over time

Cheap products save them money and cost you quality.

4. Rushed Cleaning = Corners Cut

When cleaners are underpaid or overscheduled, they rush.

What gets skipped?

• High-touch point sanitising
• Desk wiping
• Bins
• Toilets
• Mopping
• Proper vacuuming
• Staff rooms
• Kitchenettes
• Glass and mirrors
• Deep cleaning tasks

Rushed cleaning is one of the biggest causes of:

• increased sick days
• complaints from staff
• dirty bathrooms
• poor presentation
• pest issues
• compliance failures

You’re not saving money — you’re paying for half a clean.

5. No Compliance = No Accountability

Cheap operators often skip legal requirements, such as:

• Blue Cards
• Police checks
• WHS procedures
• Chemical handling training
• COVID/illness control procedures
• Site inductions
• Safety reporting processes

This is especially risky in:

• schools
• aged care
• medical settings
• childcare
• hospitality

Cheap cleaning leaves your organisation exposed.

6. No Systems, No Processes, No Contract

Professional cleaners use:

✔ Cleaning checklists
✔ Quality-control systems
✔ WHS systems
✔ Incident reporting
✔ Regular inspections
✔ Scheduled tasks

Cheap cleaners rely on:

❌ verbal agreements
❌ no checklists
❌ no written scope
❌ no contract
❌ no consistency

And if they don’t show up?
There’s nothing you can do.

7. High Turnover = Different Cleaner Every Week

Cheap businesses churn through staff because:

• they underpay
• offer no training
• provide no structure
• use subcontractors

This means you never know:

• who is entering your school / office / facility
• what they have access to
• whether they’ve been vetted
• if they even know the job

A revolving door of cleaners = poor results and higher risk.

8. The Hidden Costs of Cheap Cleaning

Here’s what bargain cleaning really costs your business:

• staff illnesses + lost productivity
• complaints from employees
• unhappy tenants or customers
• damaged flooring, carpet & furniture
• health & safety breaches
• pest outbreaks
• extra cleaning to fix bad cleaning
• contamination issues
• non-compliance fines (schools/aged care)

You don’t save money — you just shift costs into other areas.

What You’re Actually Paying For With a Professional Cleaner

A reputable cleaning company charges more because they invest in:

✔ Police-checked & Blue Card-approved staff
✔ Proper, legal employment
✔ Training & WHS compliance
✔ Insurance & liability cover
✔ Eco-friendly, high-quality chemicals
✔ Commercial-grade equipment
✔ Reliable schedules
✔ Consistent cleaners
✔ Clear communication
✔ A detailed scope of work
✔ A professional contract
✔ Quality control
✔ Long-term relationships

It’s not just cleaning — it’s safety, compliance, presentation and professionalism.

Cheap Cleaning Costs More. Quality Cleaning Pays Off.

At Diamond Commercial Cleaning, we’re committed to:

• reliable contract-based cleaning
• trained, vetted and consistent staff
• eco-friendly products
• WHS compliance
• quality over quantity
• transparent communication
• tailored service schedules

Because your workplace deserves more than the cheapest quote.
It deserves cleaning done properly.

Get a Quote for High-Quality Commercial Cleaner in Brisbane

Servicing Brisbane, Logan & Redland City.

📞 0422 814 540
📧   diamondcleaningcommercial.bne@gmail.com