How this calculator works out your price
The price is built from the time a job takes, because time is what you're really selling:
- Estimate the labor time. Square footage sets the base time, then every bathroom and bedroom adds a little, depending on the type of clean. The condition of the home and pets make it longer, and each extra adds its own minutes.
- Multiply by your hourly rate. This is what you want to earn per cleaner, per hour of work.
- Add supplies and travel, then round up and apply your minimum charge.
With two or more cleaners the labor time stays the same but the time on site goes down, so the price doesn't change, only how long you're in the home.
Standard, deep and move-out cleans
| Type | What it usually covers | Default time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Dusting, surfaces, kitchen and bathroom wipe-down, floors, trash | 10 min per 100 sq ft, 20 min per bathroom |
| Deep | Everything in a standard clean plus detail work: build-up, fixtures, edges, behind and under things | 16 min per 100 sq ft, 35 min per bathroom |
| Move-in / move-out | An empty home cleaned top to bottom, often including inside cabinets and appliances | 20 min per 100 sq ft, 45 min per bathroom |
These are starting points, not industry rules. The best numbers are your own: time your next five jobs and update the settings.
Tips for quoting
- Quote a flat price, not an hourly one. Clients like knowing the total, and you keep the benefit when you get faster.
- Price a first deep clean before starting recurring service, so the recurring price is for a home that's already in good shape.
- Write down what's included. A clear checklist prevents "I thought you'd do the oven" conversations.
Questions
How do I price a house cleaning job?
Estimate how long the job will take, multiply by the hourly rate you need to earn, then add supplies and travel. This calculator does exactly that, using a time estimate based on square footage, bathrooms, bedrooms, the type of clean, the condition of the home and any extras.
How long does it take to clean a house?
It depends on the size, the condition and the type of clean. As a starting point, the calculator assumes a standard clean takes about 10 minutes per 100 square feet plus 20 minutes per bathroom for one cleaner, and a deep clean or move-out clean takes much longer. Time a few of your own jobs and adjust the minutes in the settings.
Should I charge by the hour or a flat rate?
Most clients prefer a flat price, so quote a flat rate worked out from your hourly target. That way you earn more as you get faster, and the client knows the price up front.
How much of a discount should recurring clients get?
Recurring homes take less time because they stay clean, so many cleaners take 10 to 20 percent off weekly cleans and less for biweekly and monthly ones. The defaults here are a starting point you can change.
Are these prices typical for my area?
No calculator can know your local market. The result depends on the hourly rate you enter, so check what other cleaners near you charge and set your rate from there.
Estimates only. Your local market, your speed and the actual home decide the right price.