How Much to Charge For House Cleaning
How Much to Charge For House Cleaning
How to price house cleaning
When pricing house cleaning services, you want to ensure you're earning a fair wage for your time and effort, but you also need to be competitive in your local market. In this guide, we'll walk you through the important factors to consider when determining how much to charge for house cleaning to build a profitable and sustainable business.
There are several common methods for pricing house cleaning services. Each has its pros and cons, depending on your business model, target market, and the types of cleaning you offer.
| Fee structure | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $25 – $75+ |
| Flat rate | $120 – $600+ |
| Per room | $25 – $150+ |
| Per square foot | $0.10 – $0.30+ |
Hourly
Many house cleaners start with an hourly rate because it's simple to track. It's a logical method to use until you get an idea of how long certain cleaning jobs take to complete. This method also works well for jobs where the scope of work might vary or the condition of the home is unpredictable.
Typical rates range from $25 to $75+ per hour, depending on the local market and the cleaner's experience and reputation.
Most customers prefer to know the total cost up front. Consider giving them the expected job time and total price (after assessing the home's condition and discussing the customer's needs and priorities) and advising them of your additional hourly rate if the job goes beyond the expected time.
Flat rate by home size
A flat rate involves assessing the home and the cleaning requirements and providing a fixed price for the entire job. This can be appealing to clients who prefer the certainty of knowing the total cost beforehand. However, this method requires experience to accurately estimate the time and effort involved.
Here's a snapshot of typical flat rate pricing based on the home size:
| Bedrooms | Standard cleaning | Deep cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $80 – $100 | $90 – $150 |
| 2 | $100 – $200 | $120 – $300 |
| 3 | $125 – $250 | $150 – $450 |
| 4 | $150 – $350 | $200 – $600 |
| 5 | $200 – $450 | $250 – $900 |
Many companies charge a flat rate based on the home size but have premium rates for specific conditions, such as excessive pet hair or dirt level, and additional charges for specialty services.
Flat rate per room
Pricing per room is a simplified version of flat-rate pricing. You establish a set price for cleaning each type of room (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, etc.). This method is relatively easy to understand for both you and your clients.
Typical per-room pricing can range from $25 to $150 or more, depending on the type of room and how long it takes to clean.
Square foot
Charging by square footage is often used for move-in or move-out cleaning. It involves calculating the total area of the house and applying a rate per square foot. This can be efficient for larger homes, but it's essential to consider the level of cleaning required, as a lightly used space will take less time than a heavily soiled one.
Typical pricing when using this strategy is $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot for regular cleaning and $0.15 to $0.30+ per square foot for deep cleaning.
| Square footage | Standard cleaning | Deep cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 – 1,500 | $100 – $300 | $150 – $450 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 | $150 – $400 | $225 – $600 |
| 2,000 – 2,500 | $200 – $500 | $300 – $750 |
| 2,500 – 3,000 | $250 – $600 | $375 – $900 |
| 3,000+ | $300+ | $450+ |
How much to charge for cleaning houses – factors to consider
Evaluate the following elements to help you arrive at a house cleaning quote that's fair for you and attractive to your clients:
Location: Research local competitors to understand the market rate in your specific area. This will give you a benchmark for your pricing and help you stay competitive. In general, urban areas with a higher cost of living typically support higher cleaning prices than rural areas.
Home size / job size: Larger homes naturally take longer to clean and require more supplies. Consider the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and the overall square footage.
Condition / dirt level: A home that's regularly cleaned will take less time than one that hasn't been cleaned in a while. Heavily soiled areas, excessive clutter, or pet messes increase the cleaning time and should be factored into your pricing.
Experience: Your experience level matters. As a beginner, you might need to charge slightly less to attract clients. With more experience and a proven track record, you can justify higher rates.
Frequency: Consider offering a discount to clients who book weekly or bi-weekly cleanings.
Markup: Determine your desired profit margin. A 25% to 40% margin is typical for business growth and sustainability.
Type of cleaning
Different types of cleaning require different levels of effort and time, which you'll need to consider when pricing each service. Additionally, everything is relative; for example, the price you set for routine cleaning will play a role in determining how much to charge for deep cleaning a house.
| Cleaning service type | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard |
|
| Deep clean |
|
| Move-out/move-in |
|
| Specialty cleaning |
|
| Post-construction clean |
|
Materials and overhead
Business expenses can significantly impact your profitability. Below are some of the important costs to consider when pricing your services:
Equipment & supplies: Factor in the cost of cleaning supplies (e.g., detergents, disinfectants, paper towels) and equipment (e.g., vacuum cleaner, mop, buckets). Consider both the initial investment and the ongoing replacement costs.
Travel: Calculate the cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, car insurance, and any parking fees associated with traveling to client homes.
Internet & phone: If you use your internet and phone for business purposes, factor in a portion of these costs.
Website hosting & maintenance: If you have a website, include the costs of hosting, domain registration, and any website maintenance or updates.
Advertising: Allocate a budget for advertising and marketing your services. This could include flyers, online ads, or website development.
Insurance:
Liability insurance is crucial to protect your business from potential claims of property damage or personal injury.
Beyond liability, consider other insurance needs like health insurance, worker's compensation (if you have employees) or business interruption insurance.
Business tax: Set aside funds to cover your business taxes (self-employment tax, income tax, etc.).
Employees:
If you have employees, you'll need to cover their wages, benefits, and payroll taxes. This will significantly increase your overhead costs compared to operating as a solo cleaner.
Add-on services
Consider offering additional services beyond standard cleaning and charging accordingly for the extra time and effort the tasks require. The table below details some common cleaning service add-ons that can increase your bottom line:
| Add-on | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Changing bedsheets | $10 per bed |
| Wash and dry laundry | $5 to $20 per load |
| Interior window cleaning | $4 to $7 per window |
| Exterior window cleaning | $5 to $8 per window |
| Dusting blinds | $20 |
| Polish wood surfaces | $30+ |
| Cleaning interior of cabinets | $25 to $45+ |
| Fridge cleaning | $12 to $50 |
| Oven cleaning | $15 to $35 |
| Baseboard cleaning | $35+ |
| Cabinet organization | $50 |
Service fees
You may also want to implement additional service fees, such as:
Pet fee: An extra charge for homes with pets to account for additional cleaning time and allergy considerations
Travel fee: A fee for clients located outside of your primary service area
Late cancellation fee: A fee for clients who cancel appointments with short notice and no time to re-fill the slot
Holiday fee: Increased rates for cleaning services performed on holidays
FAQs about pricing house cleaning services
Should I charge extra for cleaning supplies?
Most professional cleaners include basic supplies in their rates. However, specialty products (like specific eco-friendly brands) or client-requested items can warrant additional charges.
How often should I review my pricing structure?
At a minimum, conduct an annual review of your rates and costs. However, also reassess when business expenses change significantly or when you consistently feel overworked and underpaid.
Do I need a business license for house cleaning?
The requirements for business licenses vary by location. Check with your local city and county government to determine if you need a business license to operate a house cleaning business in your area.
Providing accurate house cleaning quotes
You've researched the local market, calculated your expenses, set a profit margin and developed a pricing structure. However, providing an accurate estimate for each job can still be challenging, especially when just starting out.
When a potential customer calls for a quote, use these questions and guidelines to help you estimate how much time and effort the job will take:
What is the home's physical address?
Use online real estate platforms or Google Earth to confirm the home's size and details.
What type of cleaning are you looking for?
Inform the client of the various types of cleaning service you offer—routine, deep clean, move-in/move-out clean, post-construction cleaning, carpet cleaning, etc.
Has the house been professionally cleaned within the last two months?
Does anyone currently reside in the home?
This helps confirm whether the type of cleaning they're asking for is truly the type of cleaning they are looking for.
Have you had any renovations or construction done within the last two months?
If yes, ask if there is any post construction dust left behind, as this may increase the cleaning time.
How many bedrooms do you have?
How many offices (or specialty rooms) do you have?
This helps confirm the home size and customers' expectations. Some customers may state they have two bedrooms, but neglect to tell you they also have an office, playroom, or other repurposed bedroom that requires cleaning as well.
How many bathrooms do you have?
Do you have any half-bathrooms?
Would you like to include "insert any services that you may charge extra for, such as inside the oven, cabinet faces, etc."?
Do you have any pets?
Do you have a finished basement that you would like to include in the cleaning?
Do you have running water? Does the home have working electricity?
Since most house cleaning requires access to water and the use of electrical outlets, these questions can help avoid surprises when you get to the job site.
When to adjust your pricing
Remember to regularly evaluate your pricing and adjust as needed to ensure you're meeting your financial goals while providing excellent value to your clients. Consider adjusting your prices when:
Your expenses increase (e.g., fuel prices, supply costs).
Your demand increases (due to reputation or seasonal demand changes).
Competition pricing changes.
You add new services to your offerings.
Pay attention to client feedback regarding your pricing. If you consistently receive complaints about your rates, it might be time to re-evaluate your pricing structure.
For a smooth transition and client retention, give existing customers a 30- to 60-day notice of price increases, explain the reasons for the increase, and consider grandfathering long-term clients at a smaller increase. Implement new rates immediately for new clients.
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.