How Much Should a Cleaning Business Charge Per House?
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Short answer: most standard house cleans land between $120 and $250, but the right price depends on how you charge, not a lookup table. Price it up from your cost and you'll never leave money on the table or scare off a fair customer. Run the numbers with the free job estimate calculator or find your minimum with the break-even calculator.
Four ways to price a clean (and when each works)
- Per hour — simplest to start; typical solo rates run $30–$60/hour billed. Risk: fast, efficient cleaners get punished for speed.
- Flat rate per house — what most established cleaners move to. Customers love a fixed price; you get rewarded for being quick. Requires knowing your hourly cost first.
- Per room — e.g. a base + per bedroom/bathroom. Easy to quote over the phone.
- Per square foot — common for move-out/deep cleans; roughly $0.10–$0.25/sq ft.
The formula that keeps you profitable
Price = (Supplies + Labor + Drive/Overhead) × (1 + Markup)
For a typical 3-bed/2-bath standard clean:
| Cost | Example |
|---|---|
| Supplies | $8 |
| Labor (3 hrs × $25 cost) | $75 |
| Drive time & overhead | $25 |
| Cost subtotal | $108 |
| × 40% markup | ≈ $151 to charge |
Deep cleans, move-outs, and first-time cleans should carry a premium (often 1.5–2×) because they take far longer than a maintenance clean.
The mistakes that keep cleaners broke
- Charging only for "cleaning time" and forgetting drive time, supplies, and admin.
- Pricing per hour and then racing — you get faster and earn less. Move to flat rate.
- No minimum — a tiny apartment across town can lose money without a floor price.
Quick FAQ
How much should I charge to clean a house?
Most standard cleans price out to $120–$250 depending on size and how deep. Build it from cost: supplies + labor (hours × your cost) + drive/overhead, times your markup (around 40%). That protects your profit at any house size.
Should a cleaning business charge hourly or flat rate?
Flat rate is usually better once you know your speed — customers prefer a fixed price and you're rewarded for efficiency. Start hourly to learn how long jobs take, then switch to flat rates built on that hourly cost.
How much extra should a deep clean cost?
Typically 1.5–2× a standard clean, because deep and move-out cleans take much longer. Price them from the extra hours, not a flat surcharge.
General pricing guidance, not a fixed rate — your true number depends on your area, costs, and the type of clean.
Related: how to price a job · what profit margin to aim for · break-even calculator.