How to Price Cleaning Services (Complete Guide)
Pricing your cleaning services correctly is one of the most important parts of running a successful cleaning business. Charge too little and you won’t make a profit. Charge too much and you may struggle to get clients.
The key is finding the right balance between profitability, competitiveness, and the value you provide.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to price cleaning services for residential and commercial jobs, including hourly rates, flat pricing, and how to increase your profits over time.
Quick Answer
Most cleaning businesses use one of three pricing models:
Hourly Pricing: $25 to $75 per hour per cleaner
Residential Cleaning: $100 to $300+ per visit
Commercial Cleaning: $0.08 to $0.30 per square foot
Deep Cleaning Services: $200 to $500+ per job
The right price depends on your market, experience, service level, and business expenses.
👉 The goal isn’t to be the cheapest cleaning company in town — it’s to charge enough to cover your costs, earn a healthy profit, and build a sustainable business.
Table of Contents
SECTION 1
Pricing Models for Cleaning Services
There are three main ways to price cleaning services:
Hourly Pricing
Charging by the hour is simple and commonly used by new cleaning businesses.
- Easy to calculate
- Good for first-time jobs
- Less predictable income
Flat Rate Pricing
Flat rate pricing means charging a fixed price for the entire job.
- Preferred by most customers
- Easier to scale
- More predictable profits
Per Square Foot Pricing
This model is most common for commercial cleaning.
- Based on building size
- Typically used for offices and retail spaces
👉Many successful cleaning businesses start with hourly pricing and transition to flat rates as they gain experience.
SECTION 2
Understand Your True Hourly Rate
This may be the most important thing new cleaners never understand.
Example:
You charge $150 for a job that takes 4 hours.
Most new cleaners think:
$150 ÷ 4 = $37.50/hr
Reality:
- Supplies = $10
- Gas = $8
- Insurance = $5
- Taxes = $20
- Travel time = 1 hour
Actual earnings:
$150 – $43 expenses = $107 profit
$107 ÷ 5 total hours = $21.40/hr
SECTION 3
How to Price Residential Cleaning
Residential cleaning prices vary based on home size, condition, and services included.
Typical Pricing:
| Home Size | Standard Cleaning | Deep Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bed / 1 Bath Apartment | $100-$140 | $180-$250 |
| 2 Bed / 2 Bath Home | $120-$180 | $220-$320 |
| 3 Bed / 2 Bath Home | $150-$225 | $275-$400 |
| 4 Bed / 3 Bath Home | $200-$300 | $350-$500+ |
| 5+ Bedroom Home | $275-$450+ | $500-$800+ |
Most cleaners charge more for:
- First-time cleanings
- Homes with pets
- Excessive clutter
- Large kitchens
- Additional bathrooms
- Add-on services such as ovens, refrigerators, and interior windows
Recurring customer discounts are common:
- Weekly service: 10-15% lower than one-time pricing
- Bi-weekly service: 5-10% lower than one-time pricing
- Monthly service: Usually priced similarly to one-time service due to additional buildup between visits
👉 A good rule of thumb is that recurring customers are easier and faster to clean over time, allowing you to earn more profit even at slightly lower prices.
What to Consider:
- Square footage
- Number of bathrooms
- Pets
- Level of dirt or clutter
- Add-on services
👉Always price higher for deep cleans and first-time visits.
SECTION 4
How to Price Commercial Cleaning Services
Commercial cleaning is often priced differently than residential cleaning because contracts are usually recurring and based on building size, cleaning frequency, and service requirements.
Many commercial cleaning businesses charge by square footage, while others use hourly pricing or flat monthly contracts.
Common Commercial Pricing Models
Per Square Foot Pricing
This is the most common method for offices, retail spaces, and larger facilities.
Typical rates include:
- Basic office cleaning: $0.08–$0.15 per square foot
- Medical offices: $0.15–$0.35 per square foot
- Retail stores: $0.08–$0.18 per square foot
- Daycares and schools: $0.12–$0.25 per square foot
Hourly Pricing
Some businesses prefer charging by the hour for smaller buildings or specialty cleaning.
Typical rates:
- Solo cleaner: $35–$60 per hour
- Cleaning team: $60–$100+ per hour
Monthly Contract Pricing
Many commercial cleaning companies eventually transition to monthly contracts because they create predictable recurring revenue.
Examples:
- Small office (2,000 sq ft): $800–$1,500 per month
- Medium office (5,000 sq ft): $2,000–$4,000 per month
- Large facilities: Custom pricing
Factors That Affect Commercial Pricing
Commercial cleaning prices are heavily influenced by:
- Building size
- Cleaning frequency
- Number of restrooms
- Type of business
- Floor type and maintenance requirements
- Trash removal needs
- Supply replenishment requirements
- After-hours cleaning requirements
Why Commercial Cleaning Can Be More Profitable
Commercial contracts often provide:
- Predictable recurring revenue
- Lower customer acquisition costs
- Longer customer retention
- Consistent scheduling
- Easier route density and efficiency
Many successful cleaning companies use residential cleaning to get started and eventually add commercial contracts as they grow.
👉 A single commercial contract can often generate the same monthly revenue as several residential clients while requiring less sales and marketing effort over time.
SECTION 5
Factors That Affect Pricing
No two cleaning jobs are exactly the same. Successful cleaning businesses adjust pricing based on the amount of work required rather than charging every customer the same amount.
The biggest factors that affect pricing include:
Home Size
Larger homes typically require more time, supplies, and labor.
Number of Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of the most time-consuming areas to clean and often increase pricing more than bedrooms.
Service Frequency
Recurring customers are generally faster and easier to clean than one-time or monthly customers.
Typical pricing adjustments:
- Weekly service: Lowest price per visit
- Bi-weekly service: Standard pricing
- Monthly service: Higher pricing due to additional buildup
- One-time cleaning: Highest pricing
Level of Dirt and Clutter
Homes with excessive buildup, pet hair, clutter, or neglected areas require additional labor and should be priced accordingly.
Pets
Pet hair, odors, and additional cleaning requirements often justify higher pricing.
Add-On Services
Additional services should be charged separately whenever possible.
Common add-ons include:
- Inside oven cleaning
- Inside refrigerator cleaning
- Interior windows
- Laundry
- Dish washing
- Baseboards
- Cabinet interiors
Travel Distance
Some cleaning businesses charge travel fees for customers located outside their normal service area.
Supplies and Labor Costs
As your business grows, your pricing should account for cleaning products, equipment replacement, insurance, payroll, and business overhead.
A Simple Pricing Formula
Many successful cleaning businesses use this formula:
Labor Cost + Supplies + Overhead + Desired Profit = Final Price
👉 The goal isn’t to be the cheapest cleaning company in your market. The goal is to build a profitable business that provides excellent service while generating sustainable income.
Manage Your Pricing and Jobs More Efficiently
Pricing is easier when you can track estimates, job history, invoices, payments, customer details, and recurring appointments in one place.
Jobber helps cleaning businesses create professional estimates, schedule jobs, send invoices, accept payments, and keep customer information organized.
This makes it easier to understand which jobs are profitable and which ones need to be priced higher.
SECTION 6
How Much Profit Should You Make?
Suggested targets:
| Business Stage | Target Profit Margin |
|---|---|
| Solo cleaner | 40-50% |
| Small team | 25-35% |
| Larger company | 15-25% |
Most successful cleaning businesses target labor costs around 45-55% of revenue while maintaining healthy profit margins.
SECTION 7
How to Increase Your Cleaning Prices
As your business grows, you should gradually increase your prices.
Ways to Increase Rates:
- Offer premium services
- Improve efficiency
- Build a strong reputation
- Add recurring clients
- Reduce time per job
👉 Customers will pay more for reliable, high-quality service.
SECTION 8
Cleaning Service Pricing Examples
Understanding real-world pricing examples can help you quote jobs more confidently and avoid undercharging.
Example 1: Standard Residential Cleaning
Home: 3 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom Home
Service Type: Bi-Weekly Cleaning
Time Required: 3 Hours
Team Size: 1 Cleaner
Price Charged: $175
This is a common recurring residential client and is often one of the most profitable types of cleaning jobs.
Example 2: First-Time Deep Cleaning
Home: 4 Bedroom / 3 Bathroom Home
Service Type: Deep Cleaning
Time Required: 6 Hours
Team Size: 2 Cleaners
Price Charged: $375
Deep cleanings should always be priced higher because they require more labor and detail work than recurring maintenance cleanings.
Example 3: Move-Out Cleaning
Home: 2 Bedroom Apartment
Service Type: Move-Out Cleaning
Time Required: 5 Hours
Team Size: 2 Cleaners
Price Charged: $300
Move-out cleanings typically command premium pricing because clients often need quick turnaround times and higher cleaning standards.
Example 4: Small Commercial Office
Building Size: 2,000 Square Feet
Service Frequency: Weekly Cleaning
Time Required: 2 Hours Per Visit
Price Charged: $250 Per Visit
Commercial contracts can create reliable recurring revenue and improve business stability.
Example 5: Airbnb Turnover Cleaning
Property Size: 2 Bedroom Airbnb
Service Type: Turnover Cleaning With Linen Change
Time Required: 2.5 Hours
Price Charged: $150
Short-term rental cleaning often commands higher hourly earnings because of fast turnaround requirements and additional tasks such as laundry and restocking supplies.
Key Takeaway
The goal is not to be the cheapest cleaner in town. The goal is to price your services so that you cover expenses, earn a healthy profit, and build a sustainable business.
👉 Successful cleaning businesses focus on profitability, efficiency, and recurring revenue rather than competing solely on price.
SECTION 9
Add-On Services That Increase Profit
Examples:
- Inside oven: $25-$50
- Inside refrigerator: $25-$50
- Baseboards: $20-$40
- Interior windows: $5-$10 each
- Laundry: $20-$40
- Dishes: $15-$30
SECTION 10
Should You Charge Hourly or Flat Rate?
Hourly pricing
Best for:
- New businesses
- First-time cleans
- Uncertain scope
Flat pricing
Best for:
- Recurring customers
- Experienced cleaners
- Scaling operations
My recommendation:
Start hourly, track your times, then convert to flat-rate pricing as soon as possible.
This is exactly what successful companies do.
Want to Run Your Cleaning Business More Efficiently?
Setting the right prices is important, but managing your jobs, clients, and invoices is just as critical.
SECTION 11
Cleaning Service Pricing Checklist
Use this checklist to price your cleaning services correctly:
☐ Choose a pricing model: hourly, flat rate, or per square foot
☐ Research local cleaning prices in your area
☐ Estimate how long the job will take
☐ Factor in labor costs
☐ Include cleaning supplies and equipment costs
☐ Add travel time and fuel costs
☐ Include insurance, software, taxes, and overhead
☐ Add your desired profit margin
☐ Charge more for deep cleans and first-time cleanings
☐ Charge more for excessive dirt, clutter, pets, or add-ons
☐ Decide whether recurring customers receive a discount
☐ Track your actual time on each job
☐ Review which jobs are profitable
☐ Raise prices when your costs or demand increase
☐ Use software to track estimates, invoices, payments, and job profitability
Recommended Tools for Cleaning Businesses
Pricing your cleaning services correctly is easier when your business has the right systems in place.
The right tools can help you send estimates, track job times, invoice customers, accept payments, manage expenses, and understand which jobs are actually profitable.
| Tool | Recommendation | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Business Management Software | Jobber ⭐ Our Top Pick | Estimates, scheduling, invoices, payments, and job tracking |
| Accounting Software | QuickBooks | Tracking income, expenses, payroll, and profit |
| Business Banking | Bluevine | Separating business income and expenses |
| Business Insurance | Thimble | Flexible cleaning business insurance and instant COIs |
| Residential Cleaning Software | ZenMaid | Recurring maid service scheduling and reminders |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge for cleaning services?
Most cleaning businesses charge $25 to $75 per hour per cleaner, $100 to $300+ for standard residential cleanings, and $0.08 to $0.30 per square foot for commercial cleaning. Your pricing should account for labor, supplies, travel time, overhead, and profit.
Should I charge hourly or flat rate?
Most successful cleaning businesses eventually move to flat-rate pricing because it rewards efficiency and makes profits more predictable.
Hourly pricing works well for:
- New cleaning businesses
- First-time cleanings
- Jobs with unknown scope
Flat-rate pricing works best for:
Scaling operations
Recurring customers
Established businesses
How do I price my first cleaning job?
Many new cleaning businesses start with hourly pricing to learn how long different jobs take. Once you have completed several cleanings, you can use your actual labor times to create profitable flat-rate pricing.
How much more should I charge for a deep cleaning?
Deep cleanings typically cost 50% to 100% more than standard recurring cleanings because they require additional labor and detail work.
For example:
Deep cleaning: $275-$350
Standard cleaning: $175
How much should I charge for recurring cleaning services?
Recurring customers are usually faster and easier to clean over time, allowing many businesses to offer lower pricing while maintaining higher profit margins.
Typical pricing structure:
Monthly service: Higher pricing due to additional buildup
Weekly service: Lowest price per visit
Bi-weekly service: Standard pricing
Can I raise my cleaning prices later?
Yes. Most successful cleaning businesses gradually increase pricing as they gain experience, improve efficiency, and build a strong reputation in their market.
Annual price increases of 3% to 10% are common in the cleaning industry.
What profit margin should a cleaning business target?
Many successful cleaning businesses aim for:
15-25% net profit margins for larger operations
40-50% gross profit margins for solo operators
25-35% net profit margins for small teams
How do I calculate cleaning prices?
To calculate cleaning prices, start by estimating how long the job will take, then factor in labor, supplies, travel time, fuel, overhead, taxes, and your desired profit margin. A simple formula is labor cost plus supplies, overhead, and profit equals your final cleaning price.
How much should I charge for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house?
Many cleaning businesses charge around $150 to $225 for a standard cleaning of a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house, depending on the home’s condition, location, service frequency, and whether it is a first-time cleaning or recurring cleaning. Deep cleans, move-out cleanings, pets, heavy buildup, or extra rooms should usually cost more.
Should I give discounts for recurring cleaning clients?
Yes, many cleaning businesses offer lower per-visit pricing for weekly or bi-weekly recurring clients because those homes are usually faster and easier to clean over time. Monthly and one-time cleanings are usually priced higher because there is more buildup between visits and the job often takes longer.
Start Growing Your Cleaning Business
Pricing is just one part of building a successful cleaning business. The right systems will help you manage jobs, clients, and payments more efficiently.
Continue Learning About How to Start a Cleaning Business
If you’re building a cleaning business, these guides will help you continue setting up and growing your company.
• Start a Cleaning Business
• Structure Your Cleaning Business
• Systems for Growing a Cleaning Business
• Cleaning Business Equipment Checklist
• Best Scheduling Software for Cleaning Businesses
• Recommended Cleaning Business Tools
Start Your Cleaning Business Today
If you’re ready to start your cleaning business, these tools will help you get started quickly.
• Form your business
• Open a bank account
• Get insurance
• Set up scheduling software
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