Commercial cleaning bid template — Akron, OH
Akron is the Summit County seat and the historic "Rubber Capital of the World," with a commercial real estate base shaped by Goodyear Tire, Bridgestone Americas, and a growing advanced-materials and healthcare cluster. Summa Health and Cleveland Clinic Akron General anchor the medical segment; the University of Akron provides university-adjacent demand. Ohio's minimum wage is $10.45/hr (2024); the competitive market wage for commercial janitors runs $14–$16/hr.
Akron Labor Rate Inputs
BLS OEWS May 2024 (SOC 37-2011) places the Akron MSA mean in the $14–$16/hr range. Ohio minimum wage is indexed annually; current rates at the Ohio Bureau of Wage and Hour. See the wages breakdown for the Akron MSA.
Burden math on a $15/hr base: FICA 7.65% = $1.15; FUTA/SUTA ~2.3% = $0.35; Ohio BWC workers' comp approximately $2.50–$3.50 per $100 payroll; health insurance ~$2.90/hr; vacation/PTO ~4%. Total burden: 28–35%, loaded rate near $19.25–$21.50/hr. Use the production-rate calculator to model margins.
Akron Pricing Benchmarks
| Segment | Typical Frequency | Market Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class B suburban office (5k–15k sq ft) | 3×/week | $0.10–$0.14/sq ft/month | Green, Fairlawn, Montrose corridors |
| Advanced materials / R&D office space | 5×/week | $0.14–$0.20/sq ft/month | Goodyear, Bridgestone campuses |
| Medical office (non-OR) | 5×/week | $0.17–$0.24/sq ft/month | Summa Health, Cleveland Clinic affiliates |
| University support space | 5×/week | $0.13–$0.18/sq ft/month | University of Akron ancillary buildings |
| Day porter (full-time) | Daily | $2,200–$2,900/month | Multi-tenant office buildings |
Validate rates against cleaning bid benchmarks. Stress-test margins with the bid stress-test tool.
Scope-of-Work Essentials for Akron
Advanced-materials and R&D accounts at Goodyear and Bridgestone facilities may include restricted lab or production-support areas with chemical storage; confirm scope boundaries and PPE requirements in writing. Medical office scopes must address OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen requirements (29 CFR 1910.1030). University accounts carry prevailing wage requirements for public contract work. Use the scope-of-work generator for complete exhibit templates.
- Define cleaning zones and frequencies per zone in the contract exhibit
- Specify Ohio recycling requirements and waste-stream segregation
- List disinfectants by EPA Reg. No. for medical and lab accounts
- Include PPE requirements for chemical-handling areas in industrial accounts
- Confirm background-check procedures for restricted corporate campuses
Ohio Licensing and Insurance Requirements
Ohio does not require a statewide contractor license for commercial janitorial services. The City of Akron requires a local business license; check current requirements at the City of Akron Business portal. General liability minimum $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is standard; corporate campus accounts typically require higher limits. Ohio workers' compensation is administered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), a state-run system — employers pay directly to the BWC, not through private insurers.
Bid Walk Checklist — Akron Accounts
- Measure cleanable area per floor; confirm any restricted-access labs or R&D areas
- Count restrooms and determine if medical-grade disinfection is required
- Identify chemical storage areas and PPE requirements for janitorial access
- Confirm Ohio BWC workers' comp classification code for the account type
- Photograph flooring: sealed concrete and epoxy common in industrial-adjacent buildings
Sample Line-Item Bid Structure
| Line Item | Qty / Unit | Unit Rate | Monthly Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightly cleaning — office (9,000 sq ft) | 9,000 sq ft | $0.12/sq ft | $1,080 |
| Restroom service (7 restrooms, 5×/week) | 7 units | $195/unit | $1,365 |
| Breakroom daily wipe-down + trash | 1 unit | $170/month | $170 |
| Entry glass & lobby detail (weekly) | 1 unit | $110/month | $110 |
| Annual carpet extraction (6,000 sq ft) | 6,000 sq ft | $0.21/sq ft | $105 (amortized) |
| Supplies (paper, liners, soap) | Pass-through | Cost + 12% | ~$215 |
| Total Monthly | ~$3,045 |
Prevailing Wage and SCA Considerations
Ohio has a state prevailing wage law that applies to public improvements including cleaning contracts for state universities and government buildings. University of Akron cleaning contracts carry Ohio prevailing wage obligations; confirm current rates through the Ohio Bureau of Wage and Hour prevailing wage section. Federal facilities trigger the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act. See cleaning for education for SCA guidance.
What Buyers Expect in Akron Bids
- Clear scope delineation between office, lab, and industrial areas
- Ohio BWC certificate and proper workers' comp classification documentation
- References from comparable advanced-materials, medical, or university accounts
- Prevailing wage compliance documentation for state or university bids
- Escalation clause tied to Ohio minimum wage annual schedule or BLS wage index
Competitive Landscape and Bid Tips
Akron shares a labor market and contractor pool with Cleveland, creating a competitive environment where Cleveland-headquartered firms regularly bid Summit County accounts. Local Akron independents differentiate on supervisor accessibility and site-specific knowledge of corporate campus access requirements. Corporate campus accounts at Goodyear and Bridgestone rotate every 3–5 years and respond to performance data and quality inspection reports. Use the account profitability auditor to validate margin. The bid generator speeds quote production. Day-porter demand is modest; model economics with the day-porter ROI calculator.
Key Resources for Akron Bidders
- BLS OEWS — SOC 37-2011 Janitors and Cleaners
- Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
- Ohio Bureau of Wage and Hour — Prevailing Wage
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- DOL Wage and Hour — Service Contract Act
By the Opora Editorial Team · Last updated: 2026