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Why Hourly Rates Are Killing Your Cleaning Business (And What to Do Instead)"

June 08, 20253 min read

Let’s be honest: Hourly pricing might feel "fair" or "simple," but it’s actually one of the top reasons cleaners stay broke, burned out, and buried in $20/hour chaos.

If you’re charging by the hour, winging your quotes, and hoping clients "see your value"...You're not running a business. You're surviving a side hustle.


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😡 Why Hourly Pricing Is a Trap

1. Clients Count the Clock, Not the Quality

When you charge by the hour, clients stop thinking about what you did... and start watching the clock. If you finish fast? They think they overpaid. If something takes longer? They feel ripped off.

Either way, they’re judging the time, not the result.

2. It Caps Your Income

Let’s do the math: $25/hour x 3 hours = $75.

But that doesn’t include:

  • Travel time

  • Supplies

  • Quote visits

  • Messaging and reschedules

  • Taxes

After all that? You’re making less than minimum wage.

3. It Trains Clients to Control You

Hourly pricing gives power to the client. They feel like they can negotiate time, add tasks on the spot, or say things like, “Oh, it won’t take you that long, right?”

It’s hard to lead when you're being treated like the help.

📊 Flat-Rate Pricing = Clarity + Confidence + Cash Flow

Switching to flat-rate pricing doesn’t just change what you charge. It changes how you’re seen.

Here’s what happens when you make the switch:

  • You look like a pro with a process

  • You quote based on results, not time

  • Clients know exactly what they’re paying for

  • You get paid for efficiency, not just effort

  • You finally stop undercharging and resenting the job

Flat-rate pricing says: “I know my worth, and I lead my business.”

And when you bring that energy? Clients feel it—and pay for it.

start a house cleaning business


🚀 Ready to Make the Shift?

You don’t need to guess how to price flat-rate jobs. I made a free cheat sheet that breaks it all down for you:

🔹 The Flat-Rate Pricing Cheat Sheet: How to Quote Like a Pro

✅ Learn how to stop guessing 

✅ Ditch awkward money convos 

✅ Start quoting with total confidence

Get the Cheat Sheet Here

Because if you want real money and real freedom? Hourly won’t cut it.

It’s time to price like the CEO you are.


Final Word: You’re Not Charging for Time. You’re Charging for Results.

Your clients aren’t hiring you to count minutes. They want peace of mind, a clean home, and a professional who leads the process.

Flat-rate pricing gets you there.

Don’t let hourly keep you in the broke zone. Grab the cheat sheet, make the shift, and start building a business that pays you what you’re worth.

Download the Flat-Rate Pricing Cheat Sheet Now

Related Articles:

How to Get Your First 3 Paying Ceaning Clients

Top 3 Cleaning Business Mistakes to Avoid

Trisha Carinne

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!


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Trisha Carinne

Trisha Carinne is a 30+ years successful cleaning business owner

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