LunarCleaning ServicesStrata Cleaning Cost in Sydney: What Drives the Price
What drives strata cleaning cost in Sydney: frequency, building size, scope and extras. And how to compare quotes fairly.
Free quote, no obligation. We write the scope first, then the price.
The short answer
Last updated October 2026.
Strata cleaning cost in Sydney depends on three things: how big the building is, what's in the scope, and how often each area is cleaned. Two buildings with the same number of units can have very different costs if one has three lifts, a pool and a basement car park and the other is a walk-up with a single lobby.
That's why most strata cleaners won't give a reliable price over the phone, and why quotes for the same building can look wildly different. Usually they aren't pricing the same job. This guide explains what drives the price so you can compare quotes properly.
As a guide, a 40-unit, 6-floor building with one lift, bin rotation and internal glass usually needs about 2 visits a week of about 3 hours each.
What drives the price
| Driver | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Frequency | The biggest factor. A lobby cleaned three times a week costs roughly three times as much labour as once a week. |
| Building size | More floors, corridors and stairwells mean more hours on site each visit. |
| Number of lifts | Each lift adds cabin, mirror, button and track cleaning to every visit. |
| Car park levels | Basement car parks are usually swept monthly or quarterly, priced separately from regular cleans. |
| Bin rooms and bin rotation | Bin rotation is tied to council collection days, which can mean extra visits every week. |
| Amenities | Pools, gyms, BBQ areas and rooftops add time, often more in summer. |
| Floor types | Large carpeted areas, tiled lobbies and glass all need different time and equipment. |
| Access and timing | Early starts, restricted access or work around residents can affect how the job is scheduled. |
Free strata cleaning scope checklist
Prices only compare if the scope does. Take our walkthrough list to each cleaner you are quoting and ask them to price the same areas, tasks and frequencies, then the cheapest number means something.
- Every common area, lift, car park and bin room
- Task and frequency columns you can fill in
- The questions to ask before you sign
Regular cleaning versus periodic work
A strata cleaning budget usually has two parts. Regular cleaning is what happens every week: lobbies, corridors, lifts, bin rooms and amenities. Periodic work happens a few times a year: carpet steam cleaning, high pressure cleaning, car park scrubbing and floor machine scrubbing.
Some quotes include periodic work in the regular price, some list it separately, and some leave it out entirely. That alone can make one quote look much cheaper than another. When you compare, make sure each quote says clearly which periodic work is included and how often.
Want a quote you can compare line by line?We write the scope first, then the price.
How to compare strata cleaning quotes
- Send every cleaner the same scope. Use our free scope of work checklist so everyone prices the same job.
- Check the frequency for each area. Not just "weekly clean", but how often the lobby, lifts, corridors and bin rooms are each done.
- Check what's excluded. Carpets, windows, car parks and pressure cleaning are the usual gaps.
- Ask for insurance paperwork. A certificate of currency for public liability and confirmation of workers compensation.
- Ask who you'll deal with. One contact who knows the building beats a general phone line.
- Ask about contract terms. How long, how much notice, and what happens if standards slip.
Why the cheapest quote can cost more
A low quote often means fewer hours on site than the job needs. The cleaner rushes, areas get skipped, and the strata manager spends time on complaints. Within a year the building is out to tender again, and the committee has paid for two changeovers.
That doesn't mean the most expensive quote is best either. The right price is the one that matches a clear scope, from a cleaner who can show insurance, references and real work. Our insurance and compliance page shows what we provide.
Owners corporation responsibilities
Under section 106 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), the owners corporation has to maintain common property and keep it in a good state of repair. Regular cleaning is part of looking after common property, and a clear written scope makes it easier for a committee to show what's being done.
A quick example
Picture two buildings with 40 units each. Building A has one lift, a single lobby and no car park, and the committee wants the lobby cleaned once a week. Building B has two lifts, a basement car park, a pool and bin rotation for three waste streams, and wants the lobby done three times a week. Same number of units, very different jobs, and very different prices.
What Sydney customers say on Google
Strata cleaning cost questions
How much does strata cleaning cost in Sydney?
It depends on the size of the building, the scope and the frequency. As a guide, a 40-unit building over 6 floors with one lift, bin rotation and internal glass usually needs about 2 visits a week of about 3 hours each. The reliable way to compare is to get quotes against the same written scope. We price after a walkthrough.
Why are strata cleaning quotes so different?
Usually because they aren't pricing the same job: different frequencies, different areas, and periodic work like carpets or pressure cleaning included in some quotes and left out of others.
Who pays for strata cleaning?
The owners corporation, from its budget, which every lot owner contributes to through levies.
Is strata cleaning charged per visit or per month?
Usually a monthly price for regular cleaning, with periodic work listed separately or included. Ask each cleaner to show both.
Can we reduce cost without the building looking worse?
Often, yes. Lowering the frequency of low-traffic areas like fire stairs, while keeping the lobby and lifts frequent, can bring the price down without residents noticing.
Does GST apply?
Related
Get a free quote for your building
Tell us what you need cleaned and how often. We write the scope first, then the price, so you can compare it line by line with any other quote.
- We call you to ask a few questions about the site.
- Walkthrough we look at every area with you.
- Written scope and price itemised, so you can compare.
P.S. The walkthrough is a site visit, not a sales pitch. If we're not the right cleaner for your building or business, we'll tell you.
Operating across Sydney since 2018. See our insurance and compliance.