How To Price Cleaning Jobs
Pricing is where most cleaning businesses leave money on the table. Charge too little and you'll work yourself into the ground. Charge too much for the wrong service and you'll lose quotes.
This guide gives you a clear, simple framework for pricing every type of cleaning job. We've intentionally left specific rates out, what you should charge depends on your area, your costs and the type of work, so use the formula below to set your own numbers.
Three ways to price a cleaning job
There are three pricing models, and you'll use all three depending on the job:
- Per hour — flexible jobs where time is unpredictable.
- Per job (flat rate) — most clients prefer this; you make more once you're efficient.
- Per square metre — common for commercial and end-of-tenancy quotes.
Why we don't list rate cards here
Cleaning rates vary too much by region, service type, demand and your own cost base to give a one-size-fits-all number. Instead of copying someone else's price list, work out what you actually need to charge using the formula further down, then check a handful of local competitors to sense-check the result.
How to work out your true hourly cost
Before you set a rate, calculate what one hour actually costs you. Add up:
- Travel time and fuel between jobs.
- Insurance, software and bank fees.
- Equipment and chemical cost per hour.
- Tax (set aside ~25% for self-assessment).
- Sick days, holidays, admin time.
The simple pricing formula
Use this for any job:
(Hours on site × your hourly rate) + travel cost + chemicals + profit margin (20–30%) = your quote.
Then round it to a clean number, clients accept a tidy figure faster than an odd one.
Why per-job pricing is usually better
When you charge per hour and you get faster, you earn less. When you charge per job, getting faster increases your hourly profit.
Most experienced cleaners switch to per-job pricing as soon as they know how long their typical clean takes.
How to quote without undercharging
- Always visit (or video walkthrough) before quoting a deep clean or end of tenancy.
- Ask: How many bedrooms? Bathrooms? Pets? Last cleaned when?
- Quote a range first, then confirm after viewing, don't get pinned to a low number.
- Never apologise for the price. State it confidently.
Raising prices on existing clients
Increase prices once a year. Give 30 days' notice in writing and frame it as keeping the standard of service you both want. Most clients accept without complaint.
Real-world example
A solo cleaner in Newcastle reviewed her quotes after a year and realised she'd been charging the same per-visit rate since starting out. She raised her prices, lost only one of her 22 clients and her annual income jumped noticeably for the same hours worked.
How to set your own hourly rate
Rather than copying a regional average, work out what one hour of cleaning actually needs to bring in. Add your true hourly cost (travel, fuel, insurance, software, consumables, tax, holidays, admin) to the take-home pay you want, that's your floor. Anything you charge above it is profit, anything below it is losing money.
End of tenancy cleaning, how to quote
End of tenancy is almost always priced per property, not per hour. Quote based on bedrooms, bathrooms, condition and any extras (oven, carpets, external windows). Always view the property or ask for photos before sending the final number.
Deep clean pricing approach
Deep cleans are priced by the property, not the hour, and the time required varies hugely with condition. Always view first or ask for photos before quoting, and quote a range until you've seen the space in person.
Everything CleanFlow handles for you
Built specifically for cleaning businesses — no setup fees, no per-user pricing.
People also ask
Common related searches cleaning business owners run on Google.
How should I price a one-off deep clean?+
Price deep cleans by the property, not the hour, and always view first or ask for photos before quoting. Condition makes a huge difference to how long the job takes, so quote a range until you've seen the space.
What's the best way to set my hourly rate?+
Add up what one hour of cleaning actually costs you (travel, fuel, insurance, software, consumables, tax, holidays, admin), then add the take-home pay you want on top. That floor, plus a sensible profit margin, becomes your rate.
How do I price end of tenancy cleaning?+
Price per property, not per hour, and adjust for bedrooms, bathrooms and condition. Add extras (oven, carpets, external windows) as separate line items so the quote is easy to compare.
How often should I raise cleaning prices?+
Most cleaners raise prices once a year by 5–10% with 30 days written notice. Frame it briefly and don't apologise — almost all clients accept without complaint.
Frequently asked questions
How should I work out what to charge per hour?
Add up everything one hour of work actually costs you (travel, fuel, insurance, software, equipment, tax, holidays, admin), then add the take-home pay you want on top. That's your minimum hourly rate, anything you charge above it is profit.
Should I charge per hour or per job?
Per job almost always wins once you know how long your typical clean takes. Clients prefer fixed prices and you keep the gains when you get faster.
How do I quote end of tenancy cleans?
Always view the property first if possible, or ask for photos. Price by property size and condition, and add separately for extras like ovens, carpets and external windows so the quote is easy to compare.
How do I raise my prices without losing clients?
Give 30 days' written notice. Explain it briefly and don't apologise. Most clients accept a modest annual rise without issue.
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