If you're a Des Moines business owner or office manager researching commercial cleaning services, you've probably noticed something frustrating: nobody wants to talk about price.

Most cleaning companies hide behind "contact us for a quote" because the truth is complicated. Square footage matters. Frequency matters. Building class matters. Industry matters. And in Des Moines specifically, the massive gap between rock-bottom prices and premium services can leave you wondering what you should actually be paying.

This guide breaks down exactly what commercial cleaning costs in the Des Moines Metro area—from tiny Edward Jones offices in West Des Moines to 60,000-square-foot office buildings managed by companies like Ryan Properties. We'll explain the factors that drive pricing, why the cheapest option always costs more in the long run, and what you should actually expect to invest for reliable service.

The Short Answer: What Should You Expect to Pay?

For Des Moines businesses, commercial cleaning typically costs between $0.07 to $0.25 per square foot per cleaning depending on building complexity, frequency, and service level.

Here's what that looks like in real terms:

Small Office (2,000-5,000 sq ft)

• 3x per week cleaning: $300-800/month
• 5x per week cleaning: $500-1,300/month

Medium Office (5,000-15,000 sq ft)

• 3x per week cleaning: $800-2,200/month
• 5x per week cleaning: $1,300-3,600/month

Large Office (15,000-60,000 sq ft)

• 3x per week cleaning: $2,200-8,800/month
• 5x per week cleaning: $3,600-14,500/month

But here's what matters more than the numbers: understanding why there's such a wide range and how to identify which end of the spectrum actually delivers value versus which one leaves you chasing toilet paper emergencies on Monday morning.

Why Des Moines Commercial Cleaning Prices Vary So Dramatically

1. Square Footage (But It's Not Linear)

The most obvious factor is building size, but the relationship isn't as straightforward as you'd think. A 300-square-foot Edward Jones office in Urbandale doesn't cost 200 times less than a 60,000-square-foot building downtown.

Economies of scale matter. Larger buildings cost less per square foot because fixed costs (drive time, supplies, administrative overhead) get spread across more area. Your 10,000-square-foot Waukee office might pay $0.12 per square foot while that 60,000-square-foot John Deere building pays closer to $0.08 per square foot.

But smaller spaces hit a minimum threshold. No cleaning company can profitably service a 500-square-foot space for $35/month even though the math says that's the rate. Expect minimum charges of $200-400/month regardless of size.

2. Frequency of Service

This is where Des Moines businesses often make expensive mistakes. The difference between 2x/week and 5x/week cleaning isn't just a 2.5x price multiplier—it fundamentally changes what kind of service you're buying.

Once or twice weekly: Maintenance cleaning. Your team handles daily tidying, cleaning company does the heavy lifting when they show up. Common for small offices, churches, and retail spaces that don't generate much mess.

Three times weekly: The sweet spot for most Des Moines offices. Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/weekend keeps spaces presentable without breaking the budget.

Five nights a week: Professional-grade service for higher-traffic buildings. Financial institutions, medical offices, and larger corporate spaces typically need this frequency to maintain standards.

Seven nights a week: Reserved for high-stakes environments like surgical centers or data centers where cleanliness directly impacts operations.

When a cleaning company quotes you "per cleaning" pricing, multiply by 4.3 weeks to get your true monthly cost. A $250 cleaning three times per week is actually $3,225/month, not the $750 your brain might calculate.

3. Building Class and Condition

Not all office buildings are created equal, and Des Moines property managers know this intimately.

Class A Buildings (Prime downtown Des Moines, newer West Des Moines corporate campuses): Higher expectations, more detailed work, stricter standards. Cleaning companies charge 15-30% more because everything from the lobby to the executive suites requires extra attention. If your building attracts high-end tenants, your cleaning needs to match.

Class B Buildings (Most Urbandale and Waukee office parks, established Des Moines business districts): The majority of our commercial real estate. Standard professional cleaning at competitive rates. This is where most pricing benchmarks apply.

Class C Buildings (Older properties, basic office spaces): Lower rent means lower cleaning budgets, which often means lower standards. Not every company wants to work in this segment—and the ones who do may be racing to the bottom on price rather than quality.

The building you're in determines not just price, but which companies will even bid your contract.

4. Industry-Specific Requirements

A 5,000-square-foot office building costs dramatically different amounts to clean depending on what happens inside.

Standard Office Space: Basic vacuuming, trash removal, restroom cleaning, surface wiping. This is your baseline.

Medical Facilities: Add 25-40% for infection control protocols, specialized disinfectants, high-touch surface sanitization, and compliance documentation. Medical facility cleaning requires trained staff who understand healthcare standards—you're not just paying for cleaning, you're paying for risk mitigation.

Financial Institutions: Banks and investment firms in downtown Des Moines pay premiums for background-checked staff, security protocols, and immaculate client-facing spaces. First impressions drive business, and cleaning companies know it.

Construction Cleaning: Post-construction cleanup (rough clean, final clean, touch-up) operates on completely different economics than recurring janitorial service. Construction cleaning is typically project-based with pricing dependent on construction phase and project scope.

Schools and Universities: Large square footage but often lower budgets. Summer deep cleans, winter break maintenance, and ongoing daily service all price differently.

When you're comparing bids, make absolutely certain you're comparing apples to apples on industry-specific requirements. That "great deal" might not include the medical-grade disinfectants your dental office actually needs.

5. What's Actually Included in the Scope

This is where Des Moines businesses get burned most often. Two quotes that look similar on paper can represent wildly different services.

Basic Service Usually Includes:

• Trash removal and replacement of liners
• Vacuuming carpeted areas and walk-off mats
• Mopping hard floors
• Restroom cleaning and restocking
• Dusting accessible surfaces
• Break room/kitchen cleanup

What Often Costs Extra:

• Carpet deep cleaning and extraction
• Window cleaning (interior and especially exterior)
• Floor stripping and waxing
• High dusting (ceiling vents, light fixtures)
• Detailed woodwork or baseboards
• Special event cleaning
• Day porter services
• Supply restocking beyond basics

A cleaning company quoting $1,200/month with quarterly carpet cleaning included is a better value than one quoting $900/month and charging $400 every time carpets need attention.

Read the scope of work carefully. If it's vague, it's going to cost you later.

The Hidden Cost of "Cheap" Commercial Cleaning

Here's what happens when Des Moines businesses choose the lowest bidder:

Month 1-2: Everything looks great. You're thrilled. You tell yourself you found a gem.

Month 3-4: Small things start slipping. A trash can here, a dusty surface there. The toilet paper runs out mid-week. You let it slide because it's not that bad yet.

Month 5-6: Standards have clearly declined. The crew changed. No one told you. Quality is inconsistent. You find yourself checking their work.

Month 7+: You're actively managing your cleaning company. Sending complaint emails. Playing phone tag with supervisors who don't return calls. Wondering if they even showed up last night.

Month 12: You're back researching cleaning companies again. This time, you're smarter. You want reliability, not rock-bottom prices.

This pattern plays out hundreds of times per year across Des Moines. It's not hypothetical—it's the number one reason businesses switch cleaning companies.

Why Do Cheap Cleaning Companies Fail?

They can't retain quality staff. Commercial cleaning is physically demanding work. Companies that pay minimum wage get constant turnover, which means your building gets cleaned by someone different every few weeks. Those people don't know your space, your preferences, or your standards. Quality becomes impossible.

They cut corners to stay profitable. When a company underbids a job, they have two choices: lose money or reduce service. They'll take the second option every time. Fewer labor hours. Cheaper supplies. Less supervision. Lower standards.

They don't invest in training or management. Quality commercial cleaning requires training, auditing, and accountability systems. That costs money. Budget operators skip these investments, which means their service degrades over time no matter how good their intentions were at the start.

The math is brutal: a cleaning company that charges 30% less than market rate either operates at a loss (they won't last) or delivers 30% less value (you'll replace them). There's no third option.

What "Fair Market Value" Looks Like in Des Moines

The Iowa commercial cleaning market has distinct characteristics that affect pricing.

Labor costs are moderate but rising. Des Moines Metro area minimum wage puts floor pricing on cleaning services, but competitive cleaners pay significantly above minimum to reduce the turnover that kills quality. Companies that maintain stable crews are paying $16-22/hour for experienced cleaners—that's factored into pricing.

Competition is fierce but not equal. You can find everything from one-person operations to national franchises serving Des Moines. They're not competing on the same playing field. The guy with a pickup truck has virtually no overhead but also no systems, no insurance depth, and no backup when he's sick. The national franchise has infrastructure but also corporate overhead that gets passed to you.

Building access and logistics matter. Downtown Des Moines buildings with parking restrictions, after-hours security protocols, and elevator scheduling cost more to service than suburban office parks with 24/7 access. Drive time between accounts affects rural areas more than urban corridors.

For a typical Des Moines office space, expect to pay $0.10-0.18 per square foot per cleaning for quality service. If you're being quoted substantially below that range, ask why. If you're being quoted substantially above that range, make sure you understand what premium you're paying for.

The Rodan Cleaning Pricing Philosophy

At Rodan Cleaning, we've been serving Des Moines businesses since 1998—long enough to see every pricing strategy play out over time. Here's what we've learned:

We're not the cheapest. We won't pretend to be. Our pricing typically lands in the upper 70th percentile of Des Moines commercial cleaners. If your only criterion is lowest price, we're probably not the right fit.

We're not the most expensive either. We don't charge premium prices just because we can. Our pricing reflects the real cost of delivering consistent, audit-verified quality using well-trained staff who actually show up.

Our prices support our people. Every Rodan team member earns significantly above market rate because we've learned that happy, fairly compensated cleaners stay longer, care more, and deliver better results. We have team members who haven't missed a single day in over two years—that reliability is built on a foundation of fair compensation.

We'd rather lose a bid than set unsustainable expectations. If taking your job requires putting an underqualified person in your building or stretching our crews too thin, we'll tell you we can't start for a month. We won't take a job we can't do right just to hit a revenue number.

When you call 515-276-1618 or email info@rodancleaning.com for a quote, you'll talk directly to owner Zach Vander Ploeg. He'll walk your building, understand your needs, and give you honest pricing based on what it actually takes to deliver the standard we promise.

Beyond Price: The Total Cost of Commercial Cleaning

Smart Des Moines businesses evaluate cleaning companies on total cost of ownership, not just monthly invoices.

Hidden Costs of Unreliable Cleaning

Your time: How many hours per month do you spend managing your cleaning company? Sending complaint emails, playing phone tag, checking if they showed up, explaining the same issues repeatedly? If you're paid $50/hour and you spend 4 hours per month on cleaning issues, that's $200/month of hidden cost.

Employee dissatisfaction: Nothing tanks morale like consistently dirty restrooms or trash that doesn't get emptied. When your team complains about facility conditions, you're paying for that in retention, productivity, and culture.

Client/customer perception: First impressions happen in your lobby and restrooms. If those areas look neglected, what does that signal about your business? The cost of lost opportunities is impossible to calculate but very real.

Damage and liability: Improper cleaning can damage flooring, furniture, and equipment. Inadequate sanitation in medical facilities creates real liability risk. Insurance might cover the incident, but your premiums will reflect the claims.

The Value of Reliability

Companies that have worked with Rodan for 20+ years aren't staying because we're cheap. They're staying because:

• They don't think about cleaning anymore. It just happens, every time, at the standard they expect. That mental space is valuable.
• They have direct access when needed. One call to Zach, problem solved, no run-around. That responsiveness has value.
• They receive monthly audit reports. They know their building scored 95.64% before they set foot inside Monday morning. That transparency has value.
• Their employees notice and appreciate it. A consistently clean workspace contributes to a culture where people feel valued. That has value.

When you factor in total cost, the "expensive" cleaning company that never causes problems is often the cheapest option over a 12-month period.

Industry Benchmarks: What Des Moines Businesses Are Paying

Based on 25+ years serving the Des Moines Metro, here's what different building types typically invest in quality commercial cleaning:

Small Professional Office (2,000 sq ft)

• Location: West Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee
• Type: Law firms, accounting firms, small investment offices
• Frequency: 2-3x per week
• Typical Cost: $400-700/month
• Per Sq Ft: $0.09-0.16 per cleaning

Medium Office Building (10,000 sq ft)

• Location: Anywhere in Des Moines Metro
• Type: Corporate offices, insurance companies, multi-tenant buildings
• Frequency: 3-5x per week
• Typical Cost: $1,500-2,800/month
• Per Sq Ft: $0.07-0.13 per cleaning

Large Office Complex (40,000+ sq ft)

• Location: Downtown Des Moines, major corporate campuses
• Type: Corporate headquarters, major property management holdings
• Frequency: 5-7x per week
• Typical Cost: $5,000-11,000/month
• Per Sq Ft: $0.06-0.11 per cleaning

Medical Facilities (Any Size)

• Add: 25-40% premium over standard office
• Reason: Specialized protocols, infection control, compliance requirements
• Note: Some insurance carriers require certified cleaning providers

Financial Institutions (Any Size)

• Add: 15-25% premium over standard office
• Reason: Security requirements, immaculate presentation standards
• Note: Background checks and bonding typically required

Construction Cleaning

• Rough Clean: $0.08-0.15 per sq ft (post-construction debris removal)
• Final Clean: $0.15-0.30 per sq ft (detailed pre-occupancy cleaning)
• Touch-up: $0.05-0.12 per sq ft (post-punch list detail work)

These ranges reflect quality service from established companies with proper insurance, trained staff, and management systems. Rock-bottom pricing exists below these ranges, but so does rock-bottom service.

Questions to Ask When Comparing Quotes

When you receive proposals from Des Moines cleaning companies, ask these questions to understand what you're actually buying:

About Their People

1. What do you pay your cleaning staff? (If they dodge this, they're paying minimum wage and you'll get constant turnover)
2. What's your average employee tenure? (Industry average is 6-9 months; quality companies keep people 2+ years)
3. Who will actually clean my building? (Will you get consistent crews or whoever's available that night?)
4. What happens if my regular cleaner is sick? (Do they have trained backups or will they just skip your building?)

About Quality Control

5. How do you ensure consistent quality? (Hope isn't a strategy; look for audit systems)
6. Will I receive any reporting on service quality? (Monthly audit reports mean they're actually checking their own work)
7. Who inspects your work? (Internal quality control or just hoping you don't complain?)
8. What's your response time when I report an issue? (Same day? Two weeks? Never?)

About The Service

9. Exactly what's included in this price? (Get specific—vague proposals lead to surprise charges)
10. What supplies do you provide vs. what do I need to stock? (Toilet paper? Paper towels? Trash bags? Soap?)
11. How often will you deep clean carpets? (If it's not in the base price, when will it happen and what will it cost?)
12. Do you carry adequate insurance? (General liability, workers comp, bonding—verify it directly with their carrier)

About The Relationship

13. Who do I contact when there's a problem? (If the answer involves multiple layers of management, expect frustration)
14. What's your contract term and cancellation policy? (Month-to-month or locked in? Red flag if they require 1-2 year commitments)
15. Can you provide references from similar buildings? (Talk to actual customers, especially ones who've used them for 2+ years)
16. What makes you different from the 50 other cleaning companies I could call? (The answer reveals whether they compete on price or value)

Companies that can't answer these questions confidently probably can't deliver reliable service consistently.

Making Sense of Proposals: A Real Example

Let's look at how three proposals for the same 8,000 sq ft Urbandale office building might break down:

Proposal A: $650/month (3x per week)

• Price per cleaning: $50.19
• Price per sq ft: $0.0063 per cleaning
• What this signals: They're losing money or cutting major corners. This isn't sustainable.
• What will probably happen: Good for 2-3 months, then quality collapses as they try to make the math work.

Proposal B: $1,850/month (3x per week)

• Price per cleaning: $143.02
• Price per sq ft: $0.0179 per cleaning
• What this signals: Premium pricing, possibly justified by specialization or possibly just inflated.
• What to investigate: What specific value justifies the premium? Specialized services? Extended hours? Or just overhead?

Proposal C: $1,100/month (3x per week)

• Price per cleaning: $85.01
• Price per sq ft: $0.0106 per cleaning
• What this signals: Competitive mid-range pricing aligned with quality service economics.
• What to investigate: Service scope, staff quality, audit systems, client references, insurance verification.

In this scenario, Proposal C likely represents fair market value. Proposal A is too cheap to be real (and won't last). Proposal B needs justification for the premium—it might be worth it, but understand why.

Special Considerations for Des Moines Businesses

Seasonal Factors

Des Moines winters affect cleaning costs and scheduling. Snow, salt, and mud dramatically increase floor care requirements November through March. Some cleaning companies adjust pricing seasonally; others factor it into year-round rates. Ask how weather impacts your service.

Access and Scheduling

Downtown buildings with restricted access, parking challenges, and after-hours security protocols cost more to service than suburban office parks with 24/7 access and free parking. If your building is difficult to access, expect that reality in pricing.

Property Management Relationships

If your building is managed by a Des Moines property management company, they may have preferred vendor lists or contract requirements. Companies like Ryan Properties often work with a select group of established cleaners. Ask your property manager about any constraints before you invest time in proposals.

Multi-Location Businesses

If you have offices in Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, and Ankeny, bundling service with one provider often yields 10-15% savings versus hiring different companies for each location. The efficiency of route planning benefits both parties.

When It Makes Sense to Pay More

Sometimes premium pricing is absolutely justified:

Medical facilities should never choose the cheapest option. Infection control isn't an area to compromise. The liability risk alone justifies premium pricing for healthcare-specialized cleaners who understand protocols.

Client-facing businesses where first impressions drive revenue (financial services, law firms, high-end retail) benefit from paying for immaculate, consistently perfect presentation.

High-security environments (data centers, legal offices handling sensitive cases, financial institutions) need background-checked, bonded staff with proven reliability. That costs more.

Buildings with expensive finishes (marble floors, custom woodwork, specialized equipment) need cleaners with experience protecting those investments. Damage from improper techniques costs more than premium cleaning ever would.

When Lower Prices Make Sense

There are scenarios where budget-friendly cleaning works:

Low-traffic buildings cleaned once weekly don't need the same investment as high-traffic daily service. A church fellowship hall or occasional-use conference space can work fine with basic service.

Businesses with low expectations that primarily need trash removal and basic floor care can succeed with straightforward, no-frills service.

Temporary or transitional situations where you need coverage for 2-3 months while figuring out long-term plans don't require the same commitment.

But even in these scenarios, "lowest possible price" usually backfires. There's a difference between "budget-conscious" and "cheap."

The Bottom Line: What Should You Actually Pay?

For most Des Moines businesses:

Expect to invest $0.10-0.15 per square foot per cleaning for reliable, professional service from an established company with proper insurance, trained staff, and quality control systems.

Budget slightly higher (15-30% more) if your building has specialty requirements: medical facility protocols, financial institution security needs, Class A presentation standards, or difficult access.

Be skeptical of quotes substantially below market rate. The math doesn't work. Either the company won't last or the service will fail. Neither scenario helps you.

Remember that monthly cost isn't the full picture. Factor in the value of your time, employee satisfaction, client perception, and the peace of mind that comes from working with a company that just handles it without drama.

Working With Rodan Cleaning: What to Expect

When Des Moines businesses contact Rodan Cleaning at 515-276-1618 for pricing:

1. You'll talk to owner Zach Vander Ploeg directly. No sales team, no layers. The person who runs the company is the person who quotes your building.
2. We'll walk your building and ask questions. Square footage matters, but so does layout, traffic patterns, surface types, and special requirements. We need to see the space to give honest pricing.
3. You'll get a clear, detailed proposal. Exactly what's included, frequency, any exclusions, and total monthly investment. No games, no vague language, no surprise charges later.
4. We'll explain our audit system. You'll understand how we maintain quality month over month, year over year—the system that lets clients trust us for 20+ years.
5. You'll get references if you want them. Talk to other Des Moines businesses we've served for years. See if our pricing and service deliver the value we promise.
6. We'll be honest if we're not the right fit. If your budget truly requires the lowest possible price, we'll tell you that up front rather than waste your time. We'd rather lose a bid than set unrealistic expectations.

Since 1998, founder Dan Vander Ploeg built Rodan Cleaning on a simple premise: charge fair prices, treat people well, do excellent work, and the business will take care of itself. When Zach Vander Ploeg took over, he kept that philosophy because 25+ years of client relationships prove it works.

Resources for Des Moines Business Owners

As you evaluate commercial cleaning options, these resources might help:

Financial Planning: If you're building facility maintenance budgets, Performance Financial LLC works with many Des Moines businesses on operational budgeting and expense optimization. Understanding how cleaning costs fit into your overall facility budget helps make better decisions.

Industry Standards: The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) publishes cleaning frequency and square footage guidelines that help benchmark reasonable expectations and pricing.

Local Business Resources: The Greater Des Moines Partnership connects businesses with vetted service providers and can help verify credentials and reputation for companies you're considering.

Insurance Verification: Always verify that your cleaning company carries adequate general liability and workers compensation insurance. Claims happen, and you don't want to discover gaps when something goes wrong.

Take the Next Step

If you're ready to stop wondering what you should be paying for commercial cleaning and start getting real answers:

Call 515-276-1618 to speak with Zach Vander Ploeg directly. Tell him about your building, your current situation, and what you're hoping to accomplish. He'll give you honest feedback on whether Rodan is the right fit and what service would actually cost for your specific needs.

Email info@rodancleaning.com with your building size, location, and current frequency, and we'll follow up within one business day with a ballpark range before we schedule a site visit.

Schedule a free cleaning assessment where we walk your space, understand your needs, and deliver a detailed proposal with clear scope and transparent pricing.

Twenty-five years serving Des Moines businesses taught us that the companies who become long-term clients aren't the ones chasing the lowest price—they're the ones who understand the value of reliability, quality, and accountability.

We're not for everyone. But for businesses that view commercial cleaning as an investment in their operations rather than a necessary evil to minimize, Rodan Cleaning delivers the kind of partnership that lets you forget you even have a cleaning company—because it just works.

Looking for information on specific cleaning services? Visit our pages on Office Cleaning, Medical Facility Cleaning, Construction Cleaning, School and University Cleaning, or Financial Institution Cleaning.

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