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How to Set Profitable Prices for Your Cleaning Services
Setting prices for cleaning jobs isn’t just about throwing out a number your client is willing to pay—it requires a strategic approach that can determine the success or failure of your cleaning business.
Price it right, and you’ll enjoy steady profits while maintaining satisfied, loyal clients. Price it wrong, and you’ll end up overworked, underpaid, and stuck with clients who undervalue your time and effort, making it difficult to grow your business.
So, how can you set your prices for maximum profit while ensuring clients recognize the value of your services? Let’s break it down step by step.
What to Consider When Pricing Cleaning Jobs
Before you even think about quoting a price, you need to factor in key elements that impact the job’s profitability. These include:
1. Cleaning Frequency
Are you setting up a recurring service (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) or is it a one-time job?
📌 Recurring clients often receive a slightly lower per-visit price because they bring consistent income into your business.
📌 One-time or first-time cleans require more work upfront (especially if the home hasn’t been professionally cleaned in a while), which means they should be priced higher than a standard maintenance cleaning.
2. Home Size & Condition
It’s common sense—a larger home requires more time and effort, but don’t stop there. You also need to assess the home’s condition before quoting a price.
✔️ A well-maintained home will be easier to clean and may fall under your standard pricing.
✔️ A neglected home that hasn’t been cleaned in months (or ever) will require more time, more effort, and possibly extra supplies, meaning you need to charge accordingly.
Never assume all homes take the same effort—this is where many solo cleaners lose money.
3. Location & Travel Costs
Is the home nearby, or will you be spending extra time and gas to get there?
Time spent driving is time you’re not cleaning and making money.
Some cleaners add a travel fee for jobs outside a certain radius, while others factor travel time into their pricing. Either way, don’t ignore this expense—your time is valuable!
4. Type of Cleaning Service
Are you providing:
✅ A standard/general clean (maintenance cleaning)?
✅ A detailed clean (more thorough, covering extra areas)?
✅ A specialized service (such as move-in/move-out or post-construction cleaning)?
Each service level should have its own pricing structure. If a job requires more work, it should come at a higher rate.
For example:
A biweekly maintenance clean is less labor-intensive than a move-out clean, so it should be priced accordingly.
Add-ons like baseboards, inside cabinets, and windows should be separate from your standard service and charged extra.
Choosing the Right Pricing Strategy
There are several ways to price your cleaning jobs, but not all pricing models are created equal when it comes to profitability.
1. Hourly Pricing (Not My Favorite)
While some solo cleaners charge by the hour, this method has drawbacks:
❌ Clients may micromanage your time or feel you’re working too fast for the rate they’re paying.
❌ If you become more efficient, you actually make less money.
Hourly rates only make sense if you’re cleaning for friends, family, or taking on odd jobs—but they don’t support a long-term business model.
2. Per Square Foot Pricing
This method is more common in commercial cleaning but can work for larger homes. However, square footage alone doesn’t always reflect the actual workload, so be cautious when using this model.
3. Flat Rate Pricing (The Best for Solo Cleaners!)
Flat rate pricing is my preferred method because it:
✔️ Keeps pricing clear and predictable for both you and the client.
✔️ Allows you to earn more as you become more efficient.
✔️ Ensures you’re paid based on the value of the service, not just time spent.
💡 With flat-rate pricing, you assess the job as a whole—factoring in the home’s size, condition, and the type of cleaning needed—then quote one set price for the entire job.
The Secret Weapon: Cleaning Checklists
One of the most overlooked (but powerful) tools for setting profitable prices is a cleaning checklist.
📌 Why? Because a checklist eliminates confusion, sets clear expectations, and prevents scope creep.
Here’s how a cleaning checklist transforms your business:
✅ Clarity with Clients
If a client ever says, “Oh, I thought you were cleaning the inside of my oven”—you can point to your checklist and say, “That’s not included in your package, but I’d be happy to add it for an additional fee.”
✅ Keeps You Efficient & On Track
A checklist ensures you don’t waste time figuring out what to clean next. You move through the home with a system, reducing time spent on each job.
✅ Builds Professionalism & Trust
Clients feel confident hiring you when they see you have a structured, organized approach. A professional checklist shows that you take your business seriously, making it easier to justify higher rates.
💡 Inside my membership, The Profitable Solo Cleaners Society, I teach solo cleaners how to structure their services, create effective checklists, and set profitable prices that attract high-paying clients.
Pricing Is More Than Just Numbers—It’s About Value
At its core, pricing isn’t just about a number—it’s about creating an experience that makes your clients feel confident in hiring you.
When a potential client looks at your price, they aren’t just asking, “How much does this cost?”
They’re asking:
🔹 Is this cleaner worth it?
🔹 Will they be reliable and professional?
🔹 Do I trust them in my home?
This is why your pricing strategy needs to be backed by confidence, clear policies, and strong communication.
Think about it—would YOU hire someone who seemed unsure of their pricing or didn’t present themselves professionally? Probably not.
When you confidently present your prices, communicate your value, and set clear expectations, clients are happy to pay what you’re worth.
Final Thoughts: Charge What You’re Worth & Watch Your Business Grow
The biggest mistake I see solo cleaners make is underpricing their services out of fear of losing clients. But the truth is:
🚀 Clients are willing to pay higher rates when they see value.
🚀 The RIGHT clients will respect your pricing and professionalism.
🚀 The WRONG clients (the ones who complain about pricing) aren’t worth your time.
So, next time you price a job, remember:
✔️ Consider all the factors—frequency, size, condition, location, and service type.
✔️ Use flat-rate pricing for clarity and profitability.
✔️ Implement cleaning checklists to prevent scope creep and set expectations.
✔️ Confidently communicate the value you bring, not just the service.
Many solo cleaners work too hard for too little money, have inconsistent income, and unreliable clients make it tough to grow.
That’s why I created The Profitable Solo Cleaner Society – a step-by-step business roadmap to help you get higher-paying clients, streamline your services, and scale your income.
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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!
