How to use the is hiring a cleaner worth it calculator
- Enter the price per visit and any tip or extra costs per visit.
- Enter the hours it saves you each visit, including setup and cleanup you would otherwise do yourself.
- Enter what an hour of your time is worth to you. This is your own number.
- Optionally add visits per month to see monthly and yearly totals.
Formula
Value of the time = hours saved x value of an hour
Cost per visit = price + tip and extra costs
Net gain per visit = value of the time - cost per visit
Cost per hour saved = cost per visit / hours saved
If the cost per hour saved is below the value you put on an hour, the net gain is positive.
A $100 visit that saves 3 hours
A cleaner who charges $100 a visit and saves you 3 hours is worth 3 x $40 = $120 if you value an hour at $40. The net gain is $20 per visit. The cost per hour saved is $100 / 3 = $33.33, which is below $40.
With two visits a month the net gain is $40 a month, or $480 a year. If the price were $150, the net would be a loss of $30 per visit, and a $20 tip on the $100 visit would bring the net gain to $0.
Choosing the value of an hour
The number that matters most is the one you cannot look up. Some people use their after-tax hourly pay, some use the rate they could earn on extra work, and some use a figure that reflects how much they would pay to avoid the chore. Pick a value you believe and test a few nearby values.
A useful trick is to compare the cost per hour saved with your value of an hour. If a cleaner costs $33.33 for each hour they free up and you would happily pay that to get an hour back, the numbers line up.
What the number leaves out
Money and time are only part of it. You may like cleaning, prefer to do it your own way or worry about having someone in your home, and none of that is in the calculation. A positive net gain also assumes you will actually use the saved hours well.
The same method works for other help, such as lawn care or meal delivery. For another look at the value of time, try the cost in work hours calculator, and for a business that sells cleaning see the cleaning service pricing calculator. Put the monthly figure in your budget planner.
Assumptions and limits
- The hours saved are real hours you would otherwise spend, including setup and cleanup.
- The value of an hour is your own estimate and is the same for every hour saved.
- Prices and tips stay the same on each visit.
- Quality of work, enjoyment of the chore and other benefits are not priced.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a house cleaner is worth the money?
Multiply the hours saved by what an hour of your time is worth, then subtract the cost of the visit. A positive net gain means the time is worth more to you than the price.
What should I use as the value of an hour?
A figure you choose, such as your after-tax pay per hour or the rate at which you would sell extra time. The tool does not say what the right number is.
What does cost per hour saved mean?
It is the price of a visit, including tips and extras, divided by the hours it frees up. It shows what you pay for each hour you get back.
Can I use this for services other than cleaning?
Yes. Any service that replaces your own time works the same way, such as yard work, laundry or errands. Enter its price and the hours it saves.