What an in-house team gives you
Direct control, immediate availability and staff who know the building. The cost is the full employment overhead: recruitment, absenteeism cover, supervision, training, equipment, consumables and the management time that goes with all of it.
What a contractor gives you
A defined scope, cover for absenteeism, supervision and equipment as part of the service. The trade-off is that you manage through a contract, so weak scoping becomes your problem rather than your supplier's.
The hybrid that often works best
Many sites keep a small in-house presence for day-to-day responsiveness and contract out the heavier, scheduled work: periodic deep cleaning, floor care, glass, grounds and event turnarounds.
Questions that usually settle it
- • Do you have the management capacity to supervise cleaning daily?
- • How often do you absorb absenteeism with nobody to send?
- • Can you fund equipment replacement and periodic deep work?
- • Does the site need cover across shifts, weekends or multiple buildings?
More guides
- How to Choose a Commercial Cleaning Contractor in Gauteng →
- What Facilities Managers Should Include in a Cleaning Scope of Work →
- Cleaning Contract Checklist for Residential Estates →
- Cleaning Services for New Property Developments →
- Cleaning Requirements for Shopping Centres →
- How to Evaluate Commercial Cleaning Quotations →