I run a small business from home, which type do I need?

If it's just your home office, residential cleaning covers it. If clients or employees regularly visit a dedicated commercial space, a commercial cleaning company will be set up for the insurance and scheduling that requires.

Do commercial cleaners work on weekends or nights?

Many do, since offices and retail spaces often need cleaning outside business hours. Ask about after-hours scheduling when requesting a quote.

Can a residential cleaner service my small office instead?

Some will, but they may lack the commercial insurance or bonding some office leases require, so check your lease terms before booking.

Commercial vs residential cleaning: which contract do you need

Property managers, small business owners, and landlords sometimes aren't sure which category their job actually falls into, especially for mixed-use buildings, home offices, or short-term rentals. This page explains the practical split so you request quotes from the right companies instead of getting turned down or mis-quoted.

Commercial contracts usually involve after-hours or overnight scheduling, liability insurance requirements, and recurring contracts billed monthly.
Residential cleaning is priced per visit or on a weekly/biweekly schedule and doesn't typically require a certificate of insurance for a homeowner.
Mixed-use spaces (a storefront with an attached apartment, or a home office suite) may need you to get quotes from both types of companies to compare.

If you manage a multi-unit rental property, ask commercial cleaning companies directly whether they service occupied residential units or only common areas and vacant turnovers.

What it costs

Commercial contracts are typically billed monthly or per visit based on square footage and frequency, often with a walkthrough required before quoting. Residential pricing is more standardized around bedroom and bathroom count. If your property is a mix of both, expect to get separate quotes rather than one blended price.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for commercial/office cleaning.

1. Palmetto Commercial Services
5.0★ · 126 reviews

92
2. Sparkle and Shine Cleaning Company
5.0★ · 117 reviews

91
3. Combat Cleaning Service LLC
5.0★ · 75 reviews

90

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FAQ

I run a small business from home, which type do I need?: If it's just your home office, residential cleaning covers it. If clients or employees regularly visit a dedicated commercial space, a commercial cleaning company will be set up for the insurance and scheduling that requires.
Do commercial cleaners work on weekends or nights?: Many do, since offices and retail spaces often need cleaning outside business hours. Ask about after-hours scheduling when requesting a quote.
Can a residential cleaner service my small office instead?: Some will, but they may lack the commercial insurance or bonding some office leases require, so check your lease terms before booking.

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