If you manage a commercial property in Toronto, you’ve likely asked this question:
Should we hire In-House Janitorial Staff vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning by employing in-house janitorial staff or outsourcing to a professional commercial cleaning company?
At first glance, hiring your own cleaner may seem cheaper. But when you break down wages, benefits, sick days, equipment, supervision, and liability, the true cost picture becomes much clearer.
This guide compares both options so you can make a confident financial decision for your business.
The Real Cost of In-House Janitorial Staff
Hiring an in-house cleaner means you’re not just paying a wage. You’re taking on full responsibility as the employer.
Let’s break it down.
1. Wages
In Toronto, janitorial wages typically range from $18 to $25 per hour, depending on experience and responsibilities.
If you hire one full-time cleaner:
- $20/hour × 40 hours/week = $800/week
- $800/week × 52 weeks = $41,600 annually
That’s just base pay.
If your building requires evening or weekend cleaning, overtime premiums increase this number further.
Now compare that to outsourced cleaning, where you pay a flat monthly rate — not hourly payroll.
2. Benefits & Payroll Costs
With in-house staff, wages are only part of the expense.
Employers must also cover:
- CPP contributions
- EI contributions
- Vacation pay (4–6%)
- Statutory holiday pay
- Health and dental benefits (if offered)
- WSIB premiums
Conservatively, benefits and payroll costs add 15–25% on top of base wages.
That $41,600 annual salary can quickly become:
$48,000–$52,000+ per year
Outsourced cleaning companies absorb these costs themselves. You pay one invoice — no payroll administration required.
3. Sick Days & Absenteeism
Here’s where hidden costs start adding up.
If your in-house cleaner calls in sick:
- The building doesn’t get cleaned
- You must find temporary coverage
- Managers spend time arranging replacements
You may need:
- Temporary agency staff
- Overtime pay
- Emergency scheduling
Outsourced commercial cleaning companies typically provide backup staff automatically. If one cleaner is unavailable, another is sent.
There’s no disruption to your operations.
4. Equipment & Supplies
Cleaning requires more than a mop and bucket.
In-house staff requires:
- Commercial vacuum cleaners
- Auto scrubbers (for large spaces)
- Floor buffers
- Cleaning carts
- Microfiber systems
- Disinfectants
- Garbage liners
- Paper products
- Storage space
Commercial-grade equipment is expensive:
- Auto scrubber: $3,000–$10,000
- Floor buffer: $1,500–$3,000
- Professional vacuum: $500–$1,000
Then there’s ongoing:
- Maintenance
- Repairs
- Replacement parts
- Chemical restocking
With outsourced services, the cleaning company provides and maintains all equipment and supplies.
That eliminates capital investment and storage issues.
5. Supervision & Management Time
Many businesses overlook this cost.
An in-house cleaner requires:
- Hiring and interviewing
- Background checks
- Training
- Performance reviews
- Scheduling
- Quality control
- Disciplinary management (if necessary)
Who handles this?
Usually:
- Operations managers
- Office administrators
- HR staff
That’s additional time and internal cost.
Outsourced cleaning companies typically assign:
- A supervisor
- A quality control system
- A point-of-contact manager
You gain a managed service — not another employee to oversee.
6. Liability & Risk Exposure
This is one of the most important cost factors.
With in-house cleaning staff, you assume responsibility for:
- Workplace injuries
- Chemical handling safety
- Slip-and-fall incidents
- Equipment misuse
- Compliance with Ontario health and safety standards
If your employee is injured on-site, your WSIB premiums can increase.
If improper cleaning leads to damage or injury, your business could be liable.
Outsourced commercial cleaning companies carry:
- General liability insurance
- WSIB coverage
- Bonding
- Specialized training
Risk is transferred away from your company.
What Does Outsourced Commercial Cleaning Cost?
Outsourcing is usually priced as:
- Per square foot
- Flat monthly contract
- Based on frequency and scope
For many Toronto businesses:
- Small office (5,000 sq. ft.): $1,200–$2,000/month
- Medium office (10,000 sq. ft.): $2,000–$4,000/month
Annually, that may total:
$24,000–$48,000 per year
At first glance, this may look similar to in-house payroll.
But remember that the outsourced rate includes:
- Labour
- Benefits
- Backup staff
- Equipment
- Supplies
- Supervision
- Insurance
- Compliance
When you compare full costs, outsourcing often provides more value per dollar.
When In-House May Make Sense
There are situations where in-house cleaning works:
- Large campuses with full-time daytime cleaning needs
- Facilities requiring constant on-site presence
- Businesses with internal maintenance departments
However, even large facilities often combine:
- Outsourced nightly cleaning
- In-house day porter services
Hybrid models are common.
The Strategic Difference
The real decision isn’t just about hourly cost.
It’s about:
- Predictability
- Risk management
- Operational efficiency
- Quality control
- Administrative burden
In-house staff turns cleaning into an HR responsibility.
Outsourcing turns it into a managed service.
Quick Cost Comparison Summary between In-House Janitorial Staff vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning
Outsourcing under In-House Janitorial Staff vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning often reduces operational costs while providing professional, risk-free cleaning management.
In-House Janitor (Full-Time)
- Base salary: ~$41,600
- Benefits & payroll: ~$7,000–$10,000
- Equipment & supplies: $5,000–$15,000 (initial + ongoing)
- Supervision time: Internal cost
- Liability exposure: Direct
Total potential annual cost: $55,000+
Outsourced Commercial Cleaning
- Monthly service contract
- Equipment included
- Supplies included
- Backup staff included
- Supervision included
- Insurance included
Total annual cost: Often $24,000–$48,000, depending on size and frequency.
Final Thoughts
For many Toronto businesses, outsourcing commercial cleaning provides:
- Cost stability
- Reduced risk
- Professional oversight
- No HR burden
- No equipment investment
While every facility is different, a full cost comparison of In-House Janitorial Staff vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning often reveals that outsourcing is not just convenient — it’s financially smarter.
If you’re unsure which option fits your building, the next step is simple:
Request a detailed cost breakdown for In-House Janitorial Staff vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning based on your square footage and cleaning frequency.
When you see the numbers side by side, the right decision becomes clear.
Disclaimer:
Pricing information in this blog post regarding In-House Janitorial Staff vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning is provided for informational purposes only and reflects general market estimates. Actual costs may vary based on facility size, location, service scope, and prevailing market conditions. Figures are subject to change and should not be considered a binding quotation or guarantee of pricing. For an accurate and customized cost assessment, please request a detailed quote tailored to your requirements before making business decisions.For workplace safety, compliance, and insurance-related information, visit https://www.wsib.ca or consult the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice from qualified service providers regarding financial, operational, or legal decisions. This blog does not assume responsibility for actions taken based on the information provided.
