How To Price Cleaning Jobs For Maximum Profit

Stop Guessing Your Cleaning Prices, Here’s How to Charge Like a Pro

If pricing your cleaning jobs still feels like you’re pulling numbers out of thin air... this post will fix that.

Because let’s be honest: guessing your rates is the fastest way to go broke, burn out, or start resenting your clients.

And no-charging “by square footage” or “whatever sounds fair” isn’t a strategy. It’s a setup for disaster.

If you want to get paid what you’re worth—and protect your time, peace, and energy—you need to stop winging it and start pricing like a business owner.

💣 Why Your Pricing Feels All Over the Place

Most new cleaners ask:

“How much should I charge for a 3 bed, 2.5 bath in decent shape?”

Wrong question.

Because the answer is: it depends.

Depends on:

• The condition of the home
  
  

• The frequency of cleaning
  
  

• The layout + client expectations
  
  

• And most of all — the value you bring (not just the time you spend)
  
  

If you’re charging based on what others charge or what you think the client will say yes to, you’re underpricing. Every. Time.

🔍 What Real Pros Do Instead: In-Home Walkthroughs

Here’s what I did in my 30+ year solo cleaning career—and why I always got higher-paying, better-quality clients:

I never gave quotes over the phone.
Never texted prices.
Never used a generic online form.

I did in-home walkthroughs. Always.

Because I wasn’t just quoting a job—I was building trust, showcasing my value, and separating myself from every other cleaner racing to the bottom.

🧠 Walkthrough = Positioning + Profit

Here’s the game:

You’re not selling “2 hours of cleaning.”
You’re selling:

• Time back for a busy mom
  
  

• Mental clarity for a burnt-out exec
  
  

• A calm, fresh-smelling home for someone who desperately needs peace
  
  

And when you walk in the door, dressed sharp, clipboard in hand, asking questions no one else asks?

They feel that value.

By the time price comes up, it’s not a shock—it’s a no-brainer.

🛡️ Policies Are Profit Protection

You can’t price for profit if you’re constantly cleaning extra stuff “just to be nice.”

✅ Clear pricing
✅ Clear scope
✅ Clear payment policies

That’s what protects your time and stops clients from walking all over you.

Pro tip: Clients respect boundaries when you set them with confidence. It’s the amateurs who end up broke, stressed, and resentful.

💬 Why Trust Beats “Cheap” Every Time

Cleaning someone’s home is personal. It’s intimate.
And if they don’t trust you—they won’t hire you.
Or worse... they’ll hire you but question your every move.

That’s why walkthroughs work. That’s why positioning matters.
That’s why YOU need to walk in like a pro and show them what sets you apart.

Price isn’t the problem. Unclear value is.

🎯 Bottom Line:

If you want to raise your prices, land higher-paying clients, and stop second-guessing yourself every time someone says, “How much do you charge?”…

You need to get off the hourly hamster wheel and start quoting with confidence.

🎁 Free Guide: Flat Rate Confidence — How to Finally Price Like a Pro

Inside this free mini-guide, I’ll show you:

✅ How to stop pricing by the hour
✅ How to confidently quote flat rates that actually pay you
✅ How to avoid undercharging and awkward money convos

💥 Stop guessing. Start charging what you’re worth.

👉 [Download Flat Rate Confidence Now — It’s Free]

Related Articles

How To Find Clients For Your Cleaning Business On Facebook

4 Things That Will Kill Your Cleaning Business

For over 30 years, Trisha built and ran her own successful cleaning business, handpicking her schedule and consistently earning $5,000+ a month—all while working part-time as a solo cleaner. Now, she’s here to help you do the same! Whether you’re just starting solo or already have a small team, Trisha’s vast experience can help you grow your business and boost profits without adding more hours. She'll teach you how to avoid common mistakes new cleaning business owners make and run your business profitably from day one. With over three decades of experience, learning from Trisha is the fastest, most reliable way to launch or scale your thriving cleaning business!