In Dubai's busy business areas, efficiency is important. These areas include Business Bay, DIFC, JLT, Dubai Media City, and Downtown Dubai. Every detail of your workplace reflects your brand standards, compliance culture, and management discipline.
Yet, for many Office Managers, Procurement Teams, and Facility Managers, one task remains persistently confusing every year:
“How much should commercial cleaning actually cost in Dubai?”
The Dubai market is saturated with cleaning providers. A simple Google search returns hundreds of companies—ranging from international Facility Management (FM) firms to unlicensed freelancers advertising “rock-bottom” prices.
When you request quotes for a 5,000 sq. ft. office, the variation can be shocking:
AED 1,800 per month from one vendor
AED 3,500 from another
AED 6,000+ from a premium FM provider
Because in the UAE, commercial cleaning is not just about cleaning.
It is a structured operational service governed by:
UAE Labour Law
Dubai Municipality (DM) regulations
MOHRE compliance
Visa and WPS obligations
Health, safety, and hygiene standards
The cheap quote often hides serious risks:
Illegal or improperly sponsored staff
No insurance or liability coverage
Poor hygiene leading to staff complaints or DM fines
High turnover and inconsistent service
The expensive quote, on the other hand, may include management layers or services you don’t actually need.
As a professional Facility Management company operating in Dubai, we believe in pricing transparency.
This 2026 Commercial Cleaning Cost Guide breaks down:
Realistic AED price benchmarks
UAE-specific cost drivers
How to calculate a fair cleaning budget
How to spot a bad contract before you sign
Before comparing prices, you must understand how cleaning contracts are structured in the UAE. Most disputes and budget overruns happen because buyers compare different pricing models as if they were the same.
This is the most common model for corporate offices in Dubai.
Offices needing a Tea Boy, Pantry Girl, Office Assistant, or Day Porter
Facilities requiring constant daytime support
You pay a fixed monthly fee per cleaner.
The FM company handles:
Visa and residency
Medical insurance
Emirates ID
Accommodation
Transport
Payroll and leave cover
You control the cleaner’s daily tasks on-site.
Basic salary
Visa & labour card
Medical insurance
Accommodation (labour camp or shared housing)
Transport to/from site
Annual leave replacement
WPS-compliant payroll
AED 2,200–2,400: General cleaning staff
AED 2,600–3,200: Office assistants with English skills, hospitality training, or pantry service experience
⚠️ Red Flag: Any quote below AED 2,200 usually indicates visa shortcuts, unpaid insurance, or illegal sponsorship.
Common in DIP, JAFZA, Al Quoz, Dubai South, and large commercial buildings.
Pricing is calculated based on:
Total cleanable area
Cleaning frequency
Layout complexity
Machinery usage
50,000 sq. ft. warehouse: Lower rate due to machine cleaning
5,000 sq. ft. office: Higher rate due to desks, glass, restrooms, pantry, and detail work
This model works best when:
Scope is clearly documented
KPIs and audit frequency are defined
Also known as Scope-Based or Performance-Based Cleaning.
You don’t pay for manpower.
You pay for a defined cleanliness standard.
The FM company decides:
How many cleaners are required
Shift timings
Supervision structure
Companies that don’t want to manage cleaners
Senior management offices
Regional HQs
If a cleaner is sick or on leave, replacement is the FM company’s responsibility at no extra cost.
When you pay AED 2,800 per cleaner, that amount covers far more than wages. In the UAE, your cleaning budget includes mandatory visa costs, medical insurance, Emirates ID, WPS-compliant payroll, staff accommodation, daily transport, and the use of Dubai Municipality–approved chemicals. Extremely low-priced cleaning services often cut corners on these legal and operational requirements, creating risks related to compliance, safety, and service quality. A properly priced cleaning contract ensures lawful employment, consistent hygiene standards, and protection for your business.
Every legally employed cleaner in the UAE requires:
Employment Visa & Residency
Emirates ID
Medical fitness testing
Labour card
MOHRE registration
WPS salary compliance
AED 7,000 – AED 9,000 per employee every 2 years
If a vendor offers AED 1,800/month, they are likely bypassing these requirements, putting your company at risk during inspections.
Unlike Western countries:
Cleaning staff do not commute independently
FM companies must provide housing and daily transport
Rising fuel costs
Vehicle maintenance
AC-equipped buses (mandatory for humane transport)
Cheap vendors often use non-AC vans, resulting in:
Fatigued staff
Poor performance
High absenteeism
Dubai Municipality strictly regulates:
Biocides
Disinfectants
Cleaning agents used in commercial spaces
DM-approved chemicals:
Protect indoor air quality
Prevent surface damage
Reduce health complaints
Generic bleach damages:
Carpets
Marble
Wooden furniture
HVAC systems
Infection control protocols
Vaccinated staff
Hospital-grade disinfectants
Inspection readiness
Child safety
Green chemicals only
Seasonal deep cleaning
CID clearance
Enhanced supervision
Holiday intensive cleaning schedules
High-gloss surfaces
Night-time cleaning only
Strict visual standards
Night shifts mean:
Higher transport costs
Additional supervision
Premium staffing
In Dubai, dust is not seasonal—it is constant.
Fine sand enters:
Through automatic doors
Via AC ducts
From parking areas
Most AMCs cover visible cleaning only.
Quarterly AC duct cleaning
Semi-annual carpet shampooing
Regular facade/window washing
Skipping these leads to:
Poor indoor air quality
“Sick Building Syndrome”
Increased maintenance costs later
Microfiber reduces water consumption
Daily cleaning reduces electricity use
Low-VOC chemicals improve staff health
Green cleaning is now a risk-reduction strategy, not a premium feature.
Run your finger above partitions or frames.
Dust = Poor supervision.
A damp smell indicates:
Dirty cloths
Bacteria buildup
Check for:
Labeled chemicals (English & Arabic)
Organized storage
Safety data sheets
A messy store room is a DM violation waiting to happen.
Managing separate vendors for:
Cleaning
Security
Means:
Two contracts
Two invoices
Two management chains
5–10% cost savings
Faster incident response
Single point of accountability
Security guards and cleaners working together create a proactive facility, not a reactive one.
In Dubai’s competitive business environment, your office is more than a workplace—it is a direct reflection of your brand standards, operational discipline, and commitment to quality. A dusty reception area, an unpleasant pantry odor, or poorly maintained restrooms may seem minor, but they send a powerful message to clients, employees, and auditors that details are being overlooked.
As we move into 2026, the golden rule of commercial cleaning in the UAE is clear. Contracts priced below AED 2,200 per cleaner often carry significant risks, including non-compliance with labour regulations, inadequate insurance coverage, and inconsistent hygiene standards. In contrast, a budget range of AED 2,200 to AED 3,200 reflects a compliant, professionally managed, and sustainable cleaning operation that protects both your business and your people.
Choosing the right cleaning partner is not about finding the lowest price—it is about securing a service that safeguards employee wellbeing, preserves your physical assets, and reinforces your company’s professional image. A reliable facility management partner ensures your office consistently meets Dubai Municipality standards while supporting productivity, health, and long-term operational stability.
In the end, the true cost of a clean office is not measured in dirhams alone, but in the confidence it inspires and the reputation it protects.