The cleaning business pricing calculator helps house cleaners and cleaning services set competitive, profitable rates based on home size, condition, and service frequency — including frequency discounts.
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Pricing Estimate
Price Breakdown
How to Price House Cleaning Services
Cleaning business pricing is more systematic than most new cleaners realize. A data-driven rate structure prevents undercharging on large homes and overcharging on small ones — both of which cost you clients.
Start with your cost per hour
Calculate your hourly cost: hourly wage (your own or employees) + payroll taxes + cleaning supplies ($2–5/visit) + equipment (amortized) + fuel + insurance. For a solo cleaner earning $20/hour with $8/hour in overhead costs, the break-even is $28/hour. Charging $45–$55/hour leaves $17–$27 in profit per hour — reasonable for a small operation.
The square footage method
Base your price on square footage: $0.06/sq ft for light maintenance, $0.08–0.10/sq ft for standard cleaning, $0.12–0.15/sq ft for deep cleans. A 2,000 sq ft home at $0.08/sq ft = $160 base price. Add per-bathroom surcharges ($20–35 each beyond the first two) and add-on services on top.
Frequency discounts drive retention
Weekly recurring clients are 5× more valuable than one-time clients (no re-quoting time, familiar with the home, predictable schedule). Offering 15% off weekly service encourages commitment. Even at a discount, a weekly client at $100/visit = $400–$500/month from a single account — much better than 4 separate one-time clients at full price who each require driving, onboarding, and scheduling overhead.
FAQ
How do cleaning companies calculate their prices?
Most residential cleaning companies charge $0.05–$0.15 per square foot, adjusted by condition (light/standard/deep clean), number of bathrooms, and frequency. A standard 1,500 sq ft home at $0.08/sq ft = $120 base, adjusted up for deep cleaning or extra bathrooms. Frequency discounts reward recurring clients.
What frequency discounts should I offer?
Common discounts: weekly service 15–20% off, biweekly 10–15% off, monthly 5% off. The discount incentivizes recurring contracts which are more profitable (predictable schedule, trained on the home, less travel wasted). One-time or move-out cleans should be priced at full rate or with a premium.
How much should a house cleaning business charge per hour?
Target $40–$75 per cleaning hour billed (not including travel). A solo cleaner earning $25/hour in a 3-hour clean should charge $120–$180 for the visit to cover overhead, supplies, and profit. Track your actual cleaning speed: experienced cleaners do 200–400 sq ft/hour depending on home condition.
Should I charge more for extra bathrooms?
Yes. Each additional bathroom adds 20–45 minutes of cleaning time. Most cleaning businesses charge $15–$35 per extra bathroom beyond the standard 1–2 included in the base price. Bathrooms are time-intensive: scrubbing fixtures, cleaning grout, sanitizing all surfaces.
Is this tool free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
How do I price a deep clean vs standard clean?
A deep clean (first-time client, post-construction, seasonal) typically runs 2–3× the price of a standard maintenance clean. Standard cleaning assumes light maintenance between visits. Deep cleaning involves scrubbing baseboards, cleaning inside appliances, washing windows, and tackling built-up grime that normal visits skip.