If you manage a strata-style property or shared development, cleaning is an important part of keeping the common areas safe and well maintained. But one question that everyone usually has before choosing a company is about body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne.
There is no single price that applies to every building. The final cost depends on the size of the property and the number of common areas. Cleaning frequency, condition of the building, and cleaning practices are essential for determining the prices.
RaiCleaning offers a $45-per-hour option. We also provide per-service pricing, where the price depends on the selected service, and a flexible fixed-quotation option following a property inspection.
This guide focuses specifically on body corporate cleaning costs in Melbourne, what affects the price, what services may be included, and how to choose the right pricing model.
Quick Answer: How Much Does Body Corporate Cleaning Cost in Melbourne?
Body Corporate Cleaning Melbourne cost depends on the property and cleaning scope. RaiCleaning provides three pricing options:
| Pricing option | Pricing basis | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| $45 per hour | Agreed cleaning hours | Properties with known cleaning requirements |
| Per service | Selected service | One-off or specialist cleaning |
| Flexible fixed quote | Property inspection + agreed hours | Larger or more complex properties |
The $45 per hour option is a straightforward way to budget when the required cleaning hours are known. The per-service option is useful when you need a particular service, such as pressure cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning or deep cleaning.
The flexible option starts with an inspection. We assess the property, discuss the required scope and hours, and provide a fixed quotation based on the agreed requirements.
There is no universal number of hours or fixed Melbourne-wide price because every property has different cleaning needs.
Why Is There No Fixed Body Corporate Cleaning Price?
A common mistake is expecting every apartment complex to have the same cleaning price. Consider two Melbourne properties. The first may have a small entrance, two corridors and one shared staircase.
The second could have several floors, multiple lifts, large foyers, underground parking, extensive glass, bin rooms and several shared facilities. Both are technically body corporate or owners corporation properties, but the amount of cleaning required can be completely different.
The body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne can therefore change according to the actual work involved. The most important factors include:
- Property size
- Number of levels
- Number of common areas
- Resident and visitor traffic
- Cleaning frequency
- Condition of the property
- Flooring types
- Glass areas
- Shared facilities
- Outdoor areas
- Car parks
- Bin rooms
- Specialist cleaning requirements
- Access to different areas
Rather than applying one price to every building, a good cleaning quotation should match the actual property.
Body Corporate Fees vs Body Corporate Cleaning Costs
Before discussing cleaning prices further, it is important to understand the difference between these two terms. An owners corporation can set annual fees to cover general administration, maintenance, insurance and other ongoing costs. It may also raise special fees for extraordinary expenditure. Cleaning is therefore one potential property expense rather than the same thing as the owner’s annual levy.
| Cost | What it relates to |
|---|---|
| Owners corporation fees | Overall management and shared-property expenses |
| Cleaning | Cleaning common areas |
| Maintenance | Repairs and upkeep |
| Insurance | Building and relevant common-property insurance |
| Gardening | Shared outdoor areas |
| Specialist contractors | Services such as lifts, electrical or other specialist work |
This distinction matters when a property manager or committee is preparing a cleaning budget. If someone asks, “What is the body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne?”, they are usually looking for the contractor’s cleaning price rather than the total owners corporation levy.
What Does Body Corporate Cleaning Include?
Body corporate cleaning generally focuses on shared areas, not the private interiors of individual apartments or townhouses. The exact scope should be agreed with the property manager, committee or owners corporation. Common areas for body corporate cleaning include entrance doors, foyers, corridors, stairways, lifts, shared glass, bin areas and other communal spaces.
A routine cleaning service may involve vacuuming, mopping, dusting, wiping surfaces, cleaning touchpoints and removing visible rubbish. Some properties also require periodic specialist cleaning. For example, an apartment complex might need regular internal cleaning but only require pressure washing of outdoor pathways several times each year.
That is why the cleaning scope should distinguish between regular maintenance cleaning and periodic specialist services.
Our Three Body Corporate Cleaning Pricing Options
Different properties need different pricing structures. RaiCleaning provides three practical approaches.
1. $45 Per Hour Body Corporate Cleaning
The first option is straightforward hourly pricing. The cleaning service is based on the number of agreed hours. The current starting price is $45 Per Hour. For example:
| Agreed hours | Calculation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | 2 × $45 | $90 |
| 3 hours | 3 × $45 | $135 |
| 4 hours | 4 × $45 | $180 |
| 5 hours | 5 × $45 | $225 |
| 6 hours | 6 × $45 | $270 |
| 8 hours | 8 × $45 | $360 |
These are simple calculations based on the stated hourly rate and should be treated as examples rather than universal quotes for every Melbourne property. The hourly model can work well when a property manager or committee already understands how much cleaning time the property requires.
For example, if a smaller building consistently needs four hours of common-area cleaning, an hourly arrangement provides a simple way to calculate the cleaning component of the budget. It can also make schedule changes easier to discuss when the property’s needs change.
2. Per-Service Body Corporate Cleaning
The second option is per-service pricing. Instead of calculating the entire cleaning arrangement around an hourly rate, the price is based on the specific service selected. This can be useful for properties that do not need a complete ongoing cleaning package.
For example, an owners corporation may need a particular service such as:
| Selected service | Pricing basis |
|---|---|
| Pressure cleaning | Based on required work |
| Carpet cleaning | Based on carpeted areas and condition |
| Window cleaning | Based on windows, access and scope |
| Deep cleaning | Based on cleaning requirements |
| Common-area cleaning | Based on selected scope |
| External cleaning | Based on surfaces and condition |
The final price is therefore according to the chosen service. This model can be especially useful when routine cleaning is already being handled by another arrangement but the property needs additional specialist work. For example, an apartment building could have regular hallway cleaning while separately booking pressure cleaning for its driveway and shared outdoor pathways.
3. Flexible Fixed Quotation After Property Inspection
The third option is designed for properties where it is difficult to determine the right cleaning hours without seeing the building. With this option, the property can be inspected before the quotation is prepared. The inspection helps identify:
- Common areas
- Building layout
- Cleaning condition
- Traffic levels
- Surface types
- Access requirements
- Required cleaning frequency
- Specialist services
- Approximate cleaning hours
After the inspection, we discuss the required work and agree on the cleaning scope and hours. We can then provide a fixed quotation based on the agreed requirements. This option can be particularly useful for larger apartment buildings or properties with multiple shared spaces. Instead of asking a committee to guess how many hours are needed, the quote is developed around the actual building.
Which Body Corporate Cleaning Pricing Model Is Best?
There is no single best pricing model for every property. The right option depends on how clearly the cleaning requirements are already known.
| Situation | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Cleaning hours are already known | $45 per hour |
| Need one particular cleaning service | Per service |
| Large or complex property | Flexible fixed quote |
| Regular common-area maintenance | Hourly or fixed |
| Specialist one-off cleaning | Per service |
| Property requires assessment | Flexible quotation |
- For a straightforward building, hourly pricing may be the easiest option.
- For a specific task, per-service pricing can be more practical.
- However, for a larger property, an inspection and fixed quotation can provide better budget clarity.
What Factors Affect Body Corporate Cleaning Cost in Melbourne?
The biggest factor is not always the building’s total floor area. A property can be relatively small but still require considerable cleaning if it has many shared facilities.
Property Size: Larger common areas usually require more cleaning time. A large foyer, multiple corridors or extensive shared flooring can increase the amount of work required.
Number of Levels: Multi-level buildings may require more time because cleaners need to move between floors, stairways and lift areas.
Resident Traffic: High-traffic buildings tend to collect dirt, dust and marks faster. An apartment complex with many residents and visitors may need more frequent cleaning than a low-traffic townhouse development.
Cleaning Frequency: A property cleaned regularly may be easier to maintain than one that receives occasional deep cleaning. Weekly cleaning, several visits per week, fortnightly cleaning and one-off services can all create different budgets.
Property Condition: A building that has been neglected may require more work during the initial service. Once the property reaches a good maintenance standard, regular cleaning may become more straightforward.
Flooring: Carpet, tiles, concrete, vinyl and other surfaces require different cleaning methods. The type and condition of flooring can therefore influence the work involved.
Glass and Windows: Large glass entrances, internal glass panels and windows can add another cleaning requirement.
Outdoor Areas: Driveways, pathways, shared courtyards and other external areas may require periodic cleaning.
Specialist Services: Pressure cleaning, carpet cleaning and other specialist work should usually be assessed separately from basic routine cleaning.
How Many Cleaning Hours Does a Body Corporate Property Need?
There is no universal number of hours. This is one of the most important points when discussing body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne. A small property may require only a few hours per visit, while a large multi-level apartment complex may need significantly more time. Rather than claiming that every building needs a fixed number of hours, the better approach is to assess:
What needs to be cleaned?
How often does it need cleaning?
How heavily are the areas used?
What condition are they currently in?
Are specialist services required?
For example, a small townhouse complex with limited common areas may have a relatively simple cleaning scope. A medium apartment building may need regular foyer, hallway, lift and stairway cleaning. A large building may require several cleaning zones, different frequencies and additional specialist services. This is one reason RaiCleaning’s flexible quotation option begins with an inspection.
Example Body Corporate Cleaning Budget
Suppose a property agrees to five hours of cleaning per visit.
At $45 per hour:
5 × $45 = $225 per visit
If cleaning is scheduled twice per week:
$225 × 2 = $450 per week
Over 52 weeks, the simple calculation would be:
$450 × 52 = $23,400
This is an illustrative calculation only. It does not mean every Melbourne property will cost $23,400 per year. The actual annual budget depends on the agreed cleaning hours, frequency, services and property requirements. If specialist cleaning is required, those services may be priced separately.
How Often Should Body Corporate Common Areas Be Cleaned?
Cleaning frequency should reflect how the property is used. A high-traffic apartment building may need more frequent cleaning of entrances, foyers and lifts. A smaller development may require less frequent routine cleaning.
| Cleaning frequency | Possible application |
|---|---|
| Several times per week | High-traffic apartment buildings |
| Weekly | Regular common-area maintenance |
| Fortnightly | Lower-traffic properties |
| Monthly | Selected maintenance areas |
| Periodic | Specialist services |
| One-off | Deep or project-based cleaning |
These are planning examples rather than mandatory cleaning frequencies. The best schedule should be based on actual property conditions.
What Areas Should Be Included in a Body Corporate Cleaning Plan?
A strong cleaning plan should identify the common areas rather than simply stating “general cleaning”. For example, the scope may cover the foyer, entrance, corridors, stairs, lifts, shared glass and bin areas.
Outdoor areas can be added where required. A written scope makes it easier for a committee to understand what it is paying for. It also makes comparing different cleaning companies much easier. If one company quotes for four areas and another quotes for eight, comparing only the final price would not provide a fair comparison.
Body Corporate Cleaning Checklist
A Body Corporate Checklist can help property managers and committees keep track of routine and periodic cleaning.
| Area | Typical cleaning requirements | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Doors, glass, floors | Regular |
| Foyer | Vacuuming, mopping, dusting | Regular |
| Corridors | Floors, marks, dust | Regular |
| Stairways | Steps, rails, corners | Regular |
| Lifts | Floors, doors, touchpoints | Regular |
| Bin area | Floors, visible waste, surfaces | Regular |
| Shared glass | Glass and frames | Periodic/regular |
| Car park | Debris and surface cleaning | Periodic |
| Pathways | Dirt and surface build-up | Periodic |
| External areas | Surface cleaning | As required |
A detailed checklist can also make inspections easier. Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends regular inspection and review of common property as part of owners corporation maintenance planning.
Body Corporate Pressure Cleaning
Some common areas need more than routine sweeping and mopping. External concrete, driveways, pathways and other suitable hard surfaces can collect dirt, grime and surface build-up. This is where Body Corporate pressure cleaning can help.
Pressure cleaning can be arranged as a separate service rather than automatically adding it to every regular cleaning visit. This can help the owners corporation control its maintenance budget. For example, a property might have regular internal common-area cleaning throughout the year but arrange pressure cleaning when external surfaces require attention. The scope should be assessed according to the surface, condition, access and required result.
Regular Body Corporate Cleaning vs One-Off Cleaning
Regular cleaning is designed to maintain a property. One-off cleaning is generally used when a specific issue or project needs attention. To find a detailed overview of both cleaning practices, read out our blog for Body Corporate Cleaning vs Commercial Cleaning.
| Regular cleaning | One-off cleaning |
|---|---|
| Scheduled visits | Single service |
| Maintains common areas | Targets specific requirements |
| Helps prevent build-up | Handles accumulated dirt |
| Ongoing budget | Project-based budget |
| Routine scope | Specialised scope |
A property may use both. For example, regular hallway cleaning can be combined with periodic pressure cleaning and carpet cleaning.
How a Property Inspection Helps Determine Cleaning Cost
- An inspection gives the cleaning company a better understanding of the actual property.
- This is particularly valuable when a building has multiple levels or different common areas.
- During an inspection, the provider can identify the cleaning zones and discuss what the committee expects from the service.
- The inspection can also reveal areas that may not have been considered when requesting a basic quote.
- This can include shared glass, bin rooms, external entrances, staircases or difficult access areas.
- Consumer Affairs Victoria also recommends inspection and review of common property as part of ongoing owners corporation maintenance planning.
- For cleaning purposes, a property inspection can therefore help create a more practical cleaning scope.
How to Compare Body Corporate Cleaning Quotes
The cheapest quote is not automatically the best value. Start by comparing what each company has included.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What areas are included? | Defines the scope |
| How many hours are proposed? | Helps assess labour |
| How often will cleaning occur? | Establishes frequency |
| Is pricing hourly or fixed? | Makes pricing clearer |
| Are specialist services separate? | Prevents confusion |
| Is an inspection available? | Improves quote accuracy |
| What equipment is supplied? | Clarifies service expectations |
| Is the scope written down? | Reduces disputes |
Two companies can quote different prices because they are offering different amounts of work. Always compare the scope and price together.
How Can an Owners Corporation Control Cleaning Costs?
The easiest way to control cleaning costs is to match the service frequency to actual property usage. High-traffic areas should receive appropriate attention, while low-traffic areas may not need the same frequency. Specialist services can also be scheduled according to condition rather than automatically adding them to every visit.
A written cleaning scope helps prevent unnecessary work. It also allows the committee to review the service when the building’s needs change. For example, if resident numbers increase or a new shared facility is added, the cleaning plan can be reviewed.
Owners corporations already need to budget for maintenance and other ongoing expenses, so having a clear cleaning scope makes the cleaning component easier to monitor.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Body Corporate Cleaner
One common mistake is choosing a provider only because the hourly rate appears low. A low hourly rate does not necessarily mean a lower overall cleaning cost if the provider requires more hours to complete the same scope. Another mistake is failing to define the common areas.
A quote should make it clear whether the foyer, stairs, lifts, corridors, bin areas and external spaces are included. It is also a mistake to treat specialist cleaning as ordinary routine cleaning. Pressure cleaning, carpet cleaning and certain external services may need different equipment and scheduling. Finally, committees should avoid comparing quotes without checking whether the companies have quoted the same scope.
What Should a Body Corporate Cleaning Quote Include?
A good quote should make the service easy to understand. It should identify the property, cleaning scope, frequency, pricing structure and agreed requirements.
For a fixed quotation, it should also clearly state what is included and what would require additional approval. For hourly pricing, the agreed number of hours should be clear. Similarly, for per-service pricing, the selected service should be clearly identified. This transparency helps everyone understand the arrangement before work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne?
The body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne depends on the property’s size, common areas, cleaning frequency, condition and required services. RaiCleaning offers a $45-per-hour option, per-service pricing and flexible fixed quotations following property inspection.
How much does a body corporate cleaner cost per hour?
RaiCleaning’s hourly option starts at $45 per hour. The total cost depends on the number of agreed cleaning hours and the required scope.
Is $45 per hour the price for every body corporate property?
No. $45 per hour is the hourly pricing option. Properties that require specialist services or a different scope may be quoted using per-service or fixed pricing.
Can I get a fixed body corporate cleaning quote?
Yes. The flexible option involves inspecting the property, assessing the cleaning requirements and agreeing on the required hours and scope before providing a fixed quotation.
How can I reduce body corporate cleaning costs?
Match cleaning frequency to actual property usage, prioritise high-traffic areas, schedule specialist services when needed and use a clear written cleaning scope.
What should I check before accepting a cleaning quote?
Check the included areas, cleaning frequency, number of hours, pricing model, specialist services, equipment, quotation conditions and the exact scope of work.
How do I get a body corporate cleaning quote in Melbourne?
You can contact RaiCleaning to discuss your property requirements. For more complex properties, the flexible option allows the property to be inspected before the cleaning hours, scope and fixed quotation are agreed.
Final Answer: What Is the Body Corporate Cleaning Cost in Melbourne?
The body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne is not a single fixed amount because every property has different cleaning requirements. For straightforward requirements, RaiCleaning offers a $45 per hour cleaning option. If you need a particular service, such as pressure cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning or deep cleaning, you can choose per-service pricing based on the selected service.
For larger or more complex properties, our flexible pricing option allows us to inspect the property, discuss the required cleaning hours and scope, and provide a fixed quotation based on the agreed requirements. The best approach is to compare the complete scope rather than looking at the hourly rate alone.
A clear scope, realistic cleaning frequency and suitable pricing model can make it much easier for an owners corporation, committee or property manager to control cleaning costs while keeping shared areas clean and presentable. If you are comparing the body corporate cleaning cost in Melbourne, RaiCleaning can help you determine which of the three pricing options best fits your property.
