How to Price Cleaning Jobs Without Underselling Yourself
Most cleaners guess their prices and hope for the best. Here's how to set rates that actually cover your time, supplies, and still leave you with a profit — whether you're cleaning apartments or 4,000 sqft homes.
Flat rate vs. hourly — which one wins?
Short answer: flat rate. Here's why.
Flat Rate
- Clients know the price before you start
- You get faster = you earn more per hour
- Easier to quote over text or phone
- Fewer payment disputes
Hourly
- •Works for unpredictable jobs (hoarding, post-construction)
- •Penalizes you for being fast
- •Clients get nervous watching the clock
- •Typical range: $25–$50/hr solo, $50–$90/hr team
Bottom line: Use flat rates for 90% of jobs. Reserve hourly for one-offs that are impossible to estimate upfront.
What cleaners actually charge in 2025
These ranges are based on US averages. Adjust up for high cost-of-living areas and down for rural markets. Your experience and speed also matter.
| Job type | Sq ft | Price range | Per sqft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard clean (apartment) | 500–800 | $80–$120 | $0.10–$0.15 |
| Standard clean (house) | 1,000–2,000 | $120–$200 | $0.08–$0.12 |
| Standard clean (large home) | 2,500–4,000 | $200–$350 | $0.07–$0.10 |
| Deep clean | any | 1.5×–2× standard | — |
| Move-in / move-out | any | 2×–2.5× standard | — |
| Airbnb turnover | varies | $80–$200 | $0.10–$0.18 |
| Office / commercial | per visit | $0.05–$0.15/sqft | contract-based |
A simple formula that works
(Hours × Target hourly rate) + Supplies + Travel = Your price
Example: 1,500 sqft home, standard clean
Estimated time: 2.5 hours · Target rate: $50/hr · Supplies: $8 · Travel: $10
(2.5 × $50) + $8 + $10 = $143 → round to $145
Example: Airbnb turnover, 2-bed condo
Estimated time: 1.5 hours · Target rate: $50/hr · Supplies: $5 · Linens: $15
(1.5 × $50) + $5 + $15 = $95
Example: Deep clean, 2,200 sqft
Standard price: $180 · Deep clean multiplier: 1.75×
$180 × 1.75 = $315
5 pricing mistakes that cost you money
Charging hourly without a cap
Clients hate open-ended bills. Quote a flat rate so they know upfront. You can still estimate hours internally.
Forgetting drive time
A 30-minute drive each way is an hour of unpaid work. Build travel into your minimum or charge a trip fee for far jobs.
Not charging enough for deep cleans
Deep cleans take 2-3× the effort. Price them at 1.5-2× your standard rate — anything less and you're losing money.
Copying competitor prices blind
Their costs aren't yours. They might have employees, insurance, a van payment. Price based on YOUR numbers.
Discounting to win every job
Racing to the bottom attracts price-shoppers who leave the moment someone's $5 cheaper. Charge what you're worth.
Skip the math — get an instant price
Our free calculator does the math for you. Enter the details, get a price, and send a professional quote in seconds.