How Much Should You Charge? A Quick Pricing Guide

Most new cleaners either guess at a number or copy whatever a competitor charges. Both are mistakes. Here’s how to actually price your services.

Start with your real costs. Add up your time, your supplies (or your client’s, if you’re using their supplies), your gas, and anything else it costs you to show up and do the job. Whatever number you land on is your floor — never price below it.

Charge by the job, not just the hour. Hourly pricing punishes you for getting faster and better at your job. Once you know roughly how long a job takes, quote a flat price based on the space, not the clock.

Know your market, but don’t race to the bottom. Look at what 2-3 local competitors charge for comparable jobs. You don’t need to be the cheapest — you need to be worth what you charge. Underpricing to win a client is a fast way to build a business you can’t sustain.

Build in room to grow. Your first-year pricing shouldn’t be your five-year pricing. Revisit your rates every few months as you gain experience, reviews, and demand.

The bottom line: price with confidence, based on real numbers — not fear of losing a client. The right clients will pay a fair price for a professional job done right.