Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Opora Supply, our calculators, data sources, and how to use the site. If you don't see your question, email max@oporasupply.com.
About Opora
What does Opora Supply do?
Opora Supply publishes free planning tools, benchmark data, and operating playbooks for commercial cleaning and janitorial businesses — production rate calculators, bid generators, scope-of-work builders, dilution charts, day-porter ROI models, and state and metro janitorial wage data. Everything is browser-based, free, and built from primary sources like the BLS, EPA, OSHA, and ISSA cleaning standards.
Who is the site for?
Building service contractors, in-house facility managers, day porters, custodial supervisors, and procurement teams pricing commercial cleaning contracts. Most visitors use the tools to write bids, plan staffing, set frequencies, and benchmark wages.
Is it really free?
Yes. All calculators, generators, and data pages are free to use without an account. Opora does not sell or share visitor data.
Calculators & tools
Where do the production rates come from?
The production rate ranges in the production rate calculator reflect commonly published industry figures (ISSA 612 Cleaning Times, BSCAI surveys, and public training materials), adjusted for floor type, soil load, frequency, and obstruction density. Use them as a starting point and calibrate against your own time studies.
How accurate is the bid generator?
The bid generator produces a defensible first-draft bid using your inputs (square footage, frequency, wages, overhead, margin). It is a planning tool, not a quote — review every output before sending a number to a customer.
Can I save my results or export to PDF?
The bid generator and scope-of-work generator render printable, PDF-ready outputs directly from the browser. Use your browser's Print to PDF function to save a copy. We do not store inputs on the server.
Wages & benchmarks
Where do the janitorial wage numbers come from?
State and metro wage pages cite the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for SOC code 37-2011, Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners. Each page links the underlying BLS table and shows the data vintage so you can verify.
How often is the data updated?
Wage data refreshes when the BLS publishes a new OEWS release (typically annually). Benchmark and report pages list a Last reviewed date at the top.
Using Opora content
Can I cite or link to Opora in a proposal or article?
Yes — direct links are welcome. For excerpts longer than a sentence, please credit "Opora Supply" and link to the source page. Republishing full articles or data tables without permission is not allowed.
Do you offer custom benchmarks, data exports, or consulting?
Custom data work is handled on a case-by-case basis. Reach out at max@oporasupply.com with what you are trying to solve and we will reply if it is a fit.
Articles & research
How does Opora write and review its articles?
Articles in the Field Guide are drafted, reviewed, and published by the Opora editorial team — operators, technicians, and analysts who work in or with the commercial cleaning industry. Every article links the primary sources it draws on (BLS, EPA, OSHA, ISSA, manufacturer SDS sheets, peer-reviewed studies, government registers) so you can verify the claims yourself. We do not run sponsored content or paid placements.
Can I cite an Opora article in a proposal, RFP response, or blog post?
Yes. Cite the article title, publish or last-reviewed date, and link the URL — for example: "Opora Supply, VOC Limits for Industrial Buyers (2025–2026), oporasupply.com." For excerpts longer than a sentence or two, please link the source article rather than reproducing the passage in full. Republishing an entire article, data table, or calculator output without written permission is not allowed.
Where do the numbers, limits, and standards in articles come from?
Regulatory limits (VOC, OSHA exposure, EPA registrations) come from the federal or state register cited inline. Industry benchmarks come from published BLS, ISSA, BSCAI, and CMI/CIMS sources. Manufacturer-specific data comes from the SDS or technical data sheet linked in the article. When we summarize or interpret a standard, we link the standard itself so you can read the original language.
I think an article has an error. How do you handle corrections?
Email max@oporasupply.com with the article URL, the specific passage, and the source you believe is correct. Substantive corrections are made within 72 hours, dated, and disclosed in a "Corrections" line at the bottom of the article. Minor copy edits are made silently. See our full Corrections Policy.
Contact
How do I report a bug or suggest a tool?
Email max@oporasupply.com with what you were doing, what you expected, and what happened. Suggestions for new calculators or data pages are welcome — most of what is live today started as a reader request.
Who writes the content?
The Opora Editorial Team — operators and analysts who work in or with the commercial cleaning industry. Every benchmark page lists its data sources inline.