ROI for autonomous cleaning: how to calculate the investment

Why the ROI calculation matters

Before you invest in autonomous cleaning robots, decision-makers need a clear picture of the financial return. A solid ROI calculation does not just tell you whether the investment pays off; it tells you when it pays off, and which hidden savings tend to be underestimated.

Step 1: Map your current cleaning costs

Start by gathering hard numbers for:

• Personnel cost: salary, employer contributions, holiday, sick leave
• Material cost: detergents, mops, machines, maintenance
• Overhead: supervision, scheduling, quality control
• Hidden costs: recruitment and training when staff turn over

A typical Swedish office building of 2,000 m² spends around SEK 35,000-55,000 per month on daily floor cleaning.

Step 2: Estimate the robot's total cost of ownership (TCO)

TCO for an autonomous cleaning robot includes:

• Rental or leasing: from approximately SEK 8,000/month depending on model and contract length
• Consumables: brushes, filters, detergent (around SEK 500-1,500/month)
• Energy: the robot draws around 1-2 kWh per charge cycle (negligible)
• Service: usually included in rental contracts; otherwise around SEK 1,500-2,500/month

With a rental model, TCO becomes predictable and free of hidden costs.

Step 3: Identify the savings

Direct labour savings

A robot like the CC1 can cover 700-1,000 m² per hour. That means a large share of manual floor cleaning can be automated. Typically 50-70% of floor-cleaning time is freed up.

Indirect savings

These are often underestimated but can be significant:

• Lower sick leave: a consistently clean working environment with HEPA filtration
• Lower staff turnover: monotonous tasks are removed and the role becomes more attractive
• Quality improvement: the robot delivers the same result every time, with fewer complaints
• Extended cleaning windows: the robot can run nights and weekends without out-of-hours premiums

Sustainability savings

Autonomous robots typically use less water and detergent per square metre than manual cleaning, lowering material cost.

Worked example

Scenario: Office building, 2,000 m², daily floor cleaning

Numbers are estimates and vary by site, contract, and cleaning frequency.

Common pitfalls

1. Counting only direct labour savings: indirect savings can be just as large
2. Forgetting the implementation period: allow 1-2 months before the robot reaches full capacity
3. Comparing apples to oranges: make sure you compare the same surfaces and frequencies
4. Underestimating change management: staff acceptance is decisive for success

Summary

A well-executed ROI calculation typically shows that autonomous cleaning robots pay back within 6-12 months. The key is to include all costs and savings, not just the obvious ones.

Want help running the numbers for your specific situation? Try our ROI calculator or contact us for a free analysis.