How to use the cleaning service pricing calculator
- Enter the home size in square feet and your own cleaning speed per person in square feet per hour.
- Enter the number of cleaners and the labor cost per cleaner-hour, including payroll costs if you have staff.
- Add supplies and travel per job, an overhead percentage and the profit margin you want on the price.
- Read the suggested price, the time on site, the profit and the price per square foot and per hour.
Formula
Time on site = square feet / (speed per person x cleaners)
Labor = time on site x cleaners x cost per cleaner-hour
Costs with overhead = (labor + supplies + travel) x (1 + overhead)
Price = costs with overhead / (1 - profit margin)
The margin is a share of the price, not a markup on cost. A 25 percent margin means that profit is a quarter of what the customer pays, which needs a markup of 33 percent on costs.
Worked example
A 1,800 sq ft home cleaned at 350 sq ft per person-hour by two cleaners takes 1,800 / 700 = 2.57 hours. At $20 per cleaner-hour, labor is 2.57 x 2 x $20 = $102.86.
Adding $12 of supplies and $8 of travel gives $122.86 of direct cost. With 15 percent overhead the cost is $141.29.
A 25 percent profit margin makes the price $141.29 / 0.75 = $188.38, with $47.10 of profit. That is about $0.10 per square foot and $73.26 per hour of time on site.
Where the inputs come from
The cleaning speed is the number that matters most, and it is yours to supply. The 350 square feet per hour shown is only an example. Time yourself on a few jobs of each type, such as a regular visit, a deep clean and a move out, and use your own averages. A first-time clean takes much longer than a maintenance clean.
Labor cost should be what the hour really costs you. For employees that includes payroll taxes and workers' compensation insurance. If you work alone, include a wage you are willing to accept.
Pricing beyond the formula
A cost-plus price is a floor. Check it against the market and your own judgment.
- Compare with other cleaners in your area, and with what customers say they paid.
- Set a minimum job price so short jobs cover travel and setup.
- Charge extra for add-ons such as ovens, inside windows, pet hair and heavy buildup, and for first-time visits.
- Review the numbers after a few jobs and adjust the speed and overhead to match your records.
Assumptions and limits
- The default speed, wage, supplies, travel, overhead and margin are examples only. Replace them with your own figures.
- Time scales directly with square footage. Clutter, pets, number of bathrooms and condition are not modeled.
- Overhead is applied as a percentage of direct costs and profit is a percentage of the final price.
- Taxes, licensing and insurance rules vary by area and are not calculated.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for house cleaning?
Work out your time on site, add labor, supplies, travel and overhead, and then add the profit you need. The calculator does this from your own speed and costs. Then compare it with local prices before you quote.
Should I charge by the hour or by the job?
Many cleaners quote a flat price per job based on the size of the home and an expected time, because customers like knowing the total. Hourly pricing suits unpredictable work. This tool gives you the price per hour either way so you can compare.
What is the difference between margin and markup?
Margin is profit as a share of the price. Markup is profit as a share of cost. A 25 percent margin equals a 33.3 percent markup, because the profit is one quarter of the price and one third of the cost.
How do I estimate my cleaning speed?
Time several jobs from start to finish and divide the square feet by the hours and the number of cleaners. Use separate figures for regular cleans and deep cleans.