We’ve all heard the saying, “You get what you pay for.” Nowhere is this truer than in the world of cleaning services. In today’s competitive market, businesses are under pressure to cut costs wherever possible especially Post Covid 19 period— and cleaning is often one of the first areas to face the budget axe in the overall FM sector. After all, if the office looks tidy, isn’t that good enough?

Not quite. Choosing the cheapest cleaning service can end up being far more expensive than you think — just not on the invoice.

Let me start with the basics: Quality. Low-cost cleaning companies have to keep their prices low somehow — and that usually may lead to cutting corners. They may use lower-grade cleaning chemicals, skip less-visible areas, or spend less time on the job. Your office may look clean at first glance, but bacteria and allergens quietly build up. Research shows that poor indoor air quality can reduce productivity by up to 10% and increase sick days by 30% — a hidden cost that far outweighs the money saved on a cheaper cleaning contract.

Yes - “The cheapest cleaning contract may be the most expensive mistake you ever make.”

Then comes Staffing. Budget cleaning companies often struggle with high turnover and undertrained employees. When cleaners  underpaid, or poorly supervised, mistakes happen — from missing key areas to using the wrong cleaning products on sensitive surfaces. In fact, industry data shows that cleaning companies with high staff turnover experience 25% more service complaints..

And let’s not forget reputation. Imagine an important client walking into your office and noticing dirty restrooms, stained carpets, or overflowing bins. A study from the University of Wolverhampton in 2023, a “Halo Effect” is at play when people see one good trait (such as cleanliness), they tend to associate other positive traits with that facility/ business. People form a first impression in just a tenth of a second. If that impression is positive, they’re more likely to associate other positive traits, like reliability and professionalism, with that business. It's true that 90% of people judge a company’s professionalism by its cleanliness and how safe and tidy the facility is.

Sustainability is another factor. Today’s clients care about environmentally responsible practices. Many ultra-low-cost providers don’t use eco-friendly products or follow green protocols, which could clash with their Environmental Sustainability goals and undermine their brand values.

The truth is, a reliable cleaning partner isn’t just a vendor — they’re part of your business image and employee well-being. It’s not just about cleanliness; it’s about creating a safe, healthy, and professional environment where people can do their best work.

I was part of  Highest priced service providers as well as the Cheapest priced service providers in this market and have clearly witnessed the Industry challenges, slow transformation from traditional service models to most modern technology, mapping of services, use of automation, and also the use of robotics in cleaning. What really matters is the Service provider and Client work together and share the knowledge as much as possible which will surely help achieve the best of cleanliness in any facility without breaking the bank. At Tafawut ES we don’t stand for Low cost service provisions nor take projects where the evaluation criteria is known to be Only the cheapest priced Vendor,  but we do collaborate, consult and create great places for all our service partners without compromising on Quality & sustainability.

So next time you’re tempted by the cheapest quote, ask yourself: what will this decision really cost in the long run for your business.

About the author:

Shafeek Sainlabedeen is the Chief Executive Officer, Tafawut Environmental Services LLC.