Pricing Methodology
How every price in this tool is calculated — from BLS wage data to final monthly totals. Full transparency, no black boxes.
1. Pricing Model Overview
All prices are expressed as monthly totals. Each cadence column (Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly) represents the total monthly cost if the site were serviced at that frequency. The Stated Frequency column reflects the monthly cost at the cadence described in the property's Notes field.
| Column | Formula |
|---|---|
| Weekly Visit Cost | per_visit × 4.333 |
| Bi-Weekly Visit Cost | per_visit × 2.0 |
| Monthly Visit Cost | per_visit × 1.0 |
| Stated Frequency | per_visit × visits/mo (from Notes) |
2. Labor Rate Derivation
Base wages are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, SOC code 37-2011 (Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners). We use the midpoint between the 25th percentile and median hourly wage for each Metropolitan Statistical Area.
| MSA | 25th %ile | Median | Base Wage | Burdened |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $14.30 | $16.88 | $15.59 | $19.97 |
| Dayton-Kettering, OH | $13.54 | $15.73 | $14.64 | $18.75 |
| Columbus, OH | $14.08 | $16.55 | $15.32 | $19.62 |
| Honolulu, HI | $14.07 | $17.08 | $15.58 | $20.35 |
| Kahului, HI | $22.10 | $27.95 | $25.03 | $32.70 |
Burden calculation: FICA 7.65% + SUTA (state-specific 2.5–5.5%) + Workers' Comp (4–6%) + Health allowance (8–10%) + PTO accrual (4–5%). Total burden ranges from 27.15% (KY) to 30.65% (HI).
3. Production Rates
Labor hours are calculated using ISSA 612 Cleaning Times as a baseline, adapted for telecom environments. Production rates vary by area type:
| Area Type | Sqft/Hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Office / Breakroom | 3,500 | Full janitorial: vacuum, mop, dust, trash, sanitize |
| Equipment Floor (HEPA) | 4,000 | HEPA vacuum around racks, cable runs, battery rooms |
| Common Areas | 5,000 | Hallways, stairwells, lobbies, entries |
| Warehouse / Support | 8,000 | Pedestrian sweep, trash collection |
| Retail Sales Floor | 3,000 | Customer-facing: vacuum, mop, glass, displays |
4. Cadence Efficiency Factors
Cleaning frequency affects per-visit effort. Weekly visits maintain a baseline, while monthly visits require deeper cleaning due to accumulated soil and buildup.
| Cadence | Factor | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| 5x/week | 0.85× | Minimal buildup, maintenance cleaning only |
| 3x/week | 0.90× | Light buildup between visits |
| Weekly | 0.95× | Standard maintenance baseline |
| Bi-Weekly | 1.00× | Reference cadence |
| Monthly | 1.50× | Deep clean required: heavy soil, full restroom sanitation |
5. Margin & Supplies
A 3% supplies factor is added to labor cost to cover chemicals, paper products, liners, and HEPA filters. A 15% profit margin is applied to all standard sites, with a 20% margin for data centers and high-security facilities due to additional insurance, training, and compliance requirements.
6. Minimum Trip Charges
No single visit is priced below the minimum trip charge, which covers travel time, vehicle costs, and the minimum viable scope of work. Minimums vary by building type and cadence to reflect real-world dispatch economics.
| Building Type | Monthly | Bi-Weekly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO Central Office | $225 | $200 | $175 |
| Retail Store | $175 | $150 | $35* |
| Data Center | $300 | $250 | $200 |
| T&M / Equipment Only | $200 | $200 | $200 |
* Retail stores at 3x/week or higher are route-priced with a lower per-visit minimum due to route efficiency and minimal buildup between visits.
7. Data Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2024 — SOC 37-2011, Metropolitan Area data. bls.gov/oes
- ISSA 612 Cleaning Times — Industry-standard production rate benchmarks for commercial cleaning.
- Competitor Benchmark — Pricing from an existing provider was used to calibrate and validate the model.