How to price house cleaning services
Pricing is one of the hardest decisions for a new cleaning business. Charge too little and you work hard for nothing. Charge without a clear method and every quote feels like a guess. This guide covers the common pricing methods and a simple way to build prices from your own costs. It doesn't give you a magic number, because the right price depends on your market and your costs.
Three common pricing methods
Hourly
You charge per cleaner-hour. It's simple and protects you on messy homes, but clients can't predict the total, and you earn less as you get faster.
Flat rate per visit
You quote one price for the job based on size and condition. Clients like knowing the total. You carry the risk if the job takes longer, so accurate time estimates matter.
By square footage or rooms
A rate per square foot, or a base price plus amounts per bedroom and bathroom. It's easy to quote over the phone and scales with home size. Many cleaners use this to produce a flat rate.
Build your price from your costs
- Know your hourly labor cost. What you pay per cleaner-hour, plus payroll taxes and benefits if you have employees. If it's just you, decide what your time is worth.
- Add overhead. Insurance, vehicle and fuel, phone, software, marketing and supplies. Divide monthly overhead by the hours you bill each month to get an overhead cost per hour.
- Add your profit margin. Profit is what's left for the business after paying everyone, including you.
- Check the market. Look at what established local companies charge for similar service. If your cost-based price is far below them, you may be underpricing. If it's far above, check your time estimates or your offer.
Worked example (placeholder numbers)
Suppose a job takes 3 cleaner-hours. Your labor cost is $L per hour and your overhead is $O per hour. Your cost is 3 × (L + O). If you want a 20% margin, divide the cost by 0.8 to get the price. The numbers are placeholders. Use your own, and the method works the same way at any rate.
Pricing add-ons and service types
- Price deep and move-out cleans separately from recurring visits, since they take longer.
- List add-ons (inside oven, fridge, windows, laundry) as separate line items.
- Decide whether recurring clients get a frequency discount, and make sure it still leaves a margin.
Presenting your prices
A clear service menu or price list makes your business look established and answers questions before clients ask. Many cleaners show "starting at" prices and explain that the final quote depends on size and condition. Our house cleaning price list template guide shows how to lay one out.
Raising your prices
Costs go up, so prices need to as well. Give existing clients written notice ahead of time, explain briefly, and thank them for their business. Many cleaners raise prices for new clients first, then for existing clients on a regular schedule.
Mistakes to avoid
- Racing to be the cheapest in town.
- Forgetting travel time and unpaid admin hours.
- Not tracking real job times.
- Discounting without checking the margin.
Want to run these numbers per job? Read our quote calculator spreadsheet guide.
The Cleaning Business Starter Kit includes a quote calculator that shows quote, profit and margin from your own numbers, plus job and income & expense trackers. It's a spreadsheet tool, not financial advice.
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FAQ
Should I charge hourly or a flat rate?
Both work. Flat rates are easier for clients to accept, and hourly protects you on unpredictable jobs. Many cleaners quote flat rates built from an hourly estimate.
How do I know if my prices are too low?
Calculate your cost per job including overhead and your own time. If the price leaves little or no margin, it is too low for your business.
How much notice should I give before raising prices?
There is no single rule. Give clients written notice in advance and follow what your service agreement says.
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