How Much to Charge for House Cleaning: 2022 Pricing Guide

Are you wondering just how much to charge for house cleaning? Don’t worry; even the most seasoned cleaners still find it tough to estimate cleaning costs from time to time. 

Various factors impact the cost of cleaning a home, and cleaning companies use different methods to price cleaning jobs correctly. 

It helps to know the going rates in your local region and the average national rates to determine the best price points for home cleaning projects. 

We’ve compiled the average house cleaning prices per square foot, per hour, per room, and per visit to help you calculate the most accurate and profitable rates for home cleaning jobs. 

Take a look at our comprehensive pricing guide and get started bidding competitively.  

House Cleaning Prices Per Square Foot 

On average, home cleaning businesses in the U.S. charge around $0.05 to $0.10 per square foot for weekly and bi-weekly cleaning jobs. Cleaning rates go as high as $0.20 per square foot for deep cleanings, such as move-outs and post-hoarding.

One-time deep cleaning can cost as much as $0.35 per square foot if you need to do an incredibly laborious cleaning job. 

For example, you can charge $140 per week for cleaning a 2,000-square-foot home at $0.07 per square foot. Deep cleaning a 700-square-foot apartment at $0.30 would cost your client $210. 

Estimating cleaning costs by square footage is the best way to charge for cleaning properties, especially large homes. It allows you to estimate the most accurate cleaning prices. 

Unlike pricing by the hour, you don’t have to worry about reduced profits once you and your team gain more experience and get faster at cleaning houses.  

Check the following national rates in the U.S. to get an idea of how much to charge for house cleaning:

Home Square Footage	Average Prices
1,000	$75 to $125
2,000	$100 to $200
2,500	$125 to $250
3,000	$150 to $300
4,000	$200 to $400
5,000	$250 to $500
6,000	$300 to $600

House Cleaning Prices Per Hour

Charging an hourly rate is a good idea when you’re first starting a cleaning business. It allows you to work as long as you need when you’re unsure how many hours the cleaning job will take. 

If you’re an independent contractor running a one-person business, you can expect to charge anywhere from $25 to $90 per hour. An appropriate rate for new cleaners ranges from $25 to $50 per hour. 

Compare competitors’ prices to come up with a reasonable and profitable estimate. However, make sure not to undersell your services; your price ultimately tells a story about the value of your cleaning company. 

Cleaning businesses with a crew of skilled cleaners typically charge around $75 to $100 per hour. More experienced house cleaning companies, especially those offering specialty skills, charge up to $150 per hour, depending on the scope of the cleaning job.  

House Cleaning Prices Per Room 

Cleaning a standard house with one bedroom and one bathroom typically costs around $60 to $90. You can add $25 for each extra bedroom and $10 for each additional bathroom. 

For example, if your starting rate is $100, you can charge $125 for the weekly cleaning of a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home. 

Increase your rates for bigger homes with a more spacious living space. 

Here are the typical rates for cleaning different sizes of homes: 

Home Size	Standard Cleaning
1 Bed and 1 Bath	$60 to $90
2 Beds and 1 Bath	$90 to $120
2 Beds and 2 Baths	$95 to $130
3 Beds and 1 Bath	$110 to $165
3 Beds and 2 Baths	$135 to $180
4 Beds and 3 Baths	$140 to $200
Additional Bedroom	$25
Additional Bathroom	$10

House Cleaning Prices Per Visit 

Some cleaning businesses charge a flat fee for cleaning houses for a simplified pricing structure. This pricing approach means you earn a fixed amount of money regardless of the time you spend to get the job done. 

If your client wants a weekly cleaning session, you can charge between $75 to $250 per visit or approximately $300 to $1,000 per month. Offer promotional rates, limited-time discounts, and package deals to repeat clients to encourage lasting loyalty. 

How Much to Charge for Ceiling-to-Floor House Cleaning 

Homeowners typically request a thorough ceiling-to-floor cleaning once or twice a year. This type of one-time house cleaning service costs around $350 to $700, depending on the property’s size and condition. 

Ceiling-to-floor house cleaning involves standard cleaning plus: 

• Washing all walls
• Cleaning all flooring
• Extensively dusting all ceilings
• Dusting window treatments  

Costs of Add-On Cleaning Services 

Special cleaning services require special equipment and cleaning products, increasing the overall cost of cleaning a home. 

For example, you should use cleaning solutions that won’t harm upholstery when cleaning furniture. Cleaning carpets take a lot of time as you must carefully remove stains and blotches.

If your client asks for window cleaning, you must remove dirt, dust, and grime buildup. Cleaning an HVAC system requires high-powered vacuums and other special equipment to remove dust and dirt thoroughly. 

You can add extra charges to your standard rates when determining how much to charge for house cleaning. Consider the following add-on cleaning costs when pricing your bid: 

Additional Cleaning Task	Average Costs
Furniture Cleaning	$120 to $220
Carpet Cleaning	$120 to $230
Window Cleaning	$150 to $300
Appliance Cleaning	$10 to $35 Per Appliance (Up to $100 for a Fridge)
Duct and Vent Cleaning	$270 to $500
Dryer Vent Cleaning	$100 to $175
Home Exterior Pressure Washing	$175 to $400

You don’t have to offer all these cleaning services. Make sure you know exactly which types of cleaning jobs you can handle perfectly to ensure 100% client satisfaction. 

Avoid committing to complex jobs that you’re not experienced, knowledgeable, or equipped to accomplish properly. As you build your reputation and your team gains more skills and certifications, you can widen your services to accommodate tough cleaning jobs. 

Specialty skills are extremely valuable and can set you apart from the competition.  

Factors Affecting House Cleaning Prices 

Various factors influence the final cost of cleaning a home. Here are the common factors you should consider when deciding how much to charge for house cleaning:  

Location

Where does your client live? You should charge more for transportation costs if the client lives far from your business location. Optimize your route to reduce drive time and schedule clients living within the same area on the same day if possible to save on fuel and travel time. 

Demand for Cleaning Services

While your cleaning rates are unique to your business, you should consider the going rates in your service area based on the demand for house cleaning services. Knowing the average rates in your region will help you avoid undercharging or overpricing. 

Cities with high living costs tend to have higher house cleaning costs than suburban and rural areas. 

Home Size and Condition

How big are the homes you’ll be cleaning? Take measurements, especially if you’re going to charge by square footage, and determine the number of rooms you have to clean.

A bigger house takes longer to clean and requires more supplies, so be sure to adjust your rates as necessary. 

A visual inspection is essential to discover the house’s exact condition and determine whether the property simply needs a light cleaning or requires long hours of hard labor. Do a walkthrough and discuss all necessary cleaning tasks with your client. 

Frequency and Type of Cleaning 

Homes that are professionally cleaned more frequently eventually require less time to clean, which means more time for other cleaning jobs and higher cleaning profits.

You can offer discounts for long-term contracts involving weekly cleaning sessions to keep clients happy and your business busy. 

On the other hand, one-time deep cleaning jobs require a lot of elbow grease and cost more, especially if they haven’t been done in a long time. Cleaning companies typically charge higher for deep cleaning, pre-event and post-event cleaning, and move-in and move-out cleaning. 

Labor Costs

Whether you’re a one-person team or have a crew of cleaners, your hourly rate is a significant part of your cleaning service quote. Add around 18% for payroll after multiplying your hourly rate by the number of cleaners and staff involved in the job. 

Overhead Costs and Other Expenses

Calculate all business expenses, including cleaning supplies, equipment, insurance, taxes, advertising cleaning services, and transportation. After determining your hourly labor cost, you can add around 50% to your hourly rate to cover expenses and profit margins. 

Experience and Skill Level

How long have you been in the house cleaning industry? If you’re a beginner, your rates should be lower than seasoned cleaners. As you become more experienced and grow your cleaning business, you can soon charge premium rates for your expertise and reputation. 

What Pricing Method to Use to Estimate a House Cleaning Job 

Determining how much to charge for house cleaning involves deciding on the best pricing method. Follow these tips to know the right pricing strategy for your cleaning company. 

Charging By the Hour

An hourly rate is ideal if you’re not sure how long the cleaning job will take, which is why it’s an advisable pricing method for beginners in the cleaning industry.

However, you may not want to charge a fixed hourly rate if you’re already an established business, as you’ll end up losing profits when you get faster at doing your job. 

Flat Fee 

A flat fee is great not only for standard cleaning but also for one-time jobs like move-in, move-out, and post-event cleaning. With this pricing strategy, you’re pricing the value of your cleaning services, not your time. 

Many clients prefer a flat rate as it appears fair, transparent, and straightforward. But a flat fee can be tricky when dealing with homes of varying sizes, shapes, and conditions. 

Charging Per Room 

This pricing strategy works for weekly cleaning jobs where rooms are in good condition. Be sure to price different types of rooms accurately to make your desired profit.  

Charging Per Square Foot

Estimate the job according to square footage if you want the most accurate cost, especially for cleaning large houses. Successful veterans in the cleaning industry price their services based on square footage. 

You can provide a quick quote for clients on the spot when they inquire about your services and adjust your rates upon visiting the property and checking its condition. 

FAQs About House Cleaning Prices 

How Much Should I Charge for Deep Cleaning? 

Deep cleaning is more laborious and thus more expensive. You can charge around $200 to $400 for a one-time deep house cleaning and increase your rates for bigger homes. These are also the average rates for move-in and move-out cleaning costs. 

If you want to charge an hourly rate, the average rate ranges from $40 to $100 per hour, depending on your team size and experience. 

As mentioned earlier, a ceiling-to-floor deep cleaning could cost anywhere from $350 to $700, as it’s an arduous job usually done only once or twice a year. 

How Many Hours Do Home Cleaning Jobs Usually Take? 

Cleaning a standard home should take around 1.5 to 3 hours. This time is enough for performing general cleaning tasks without unusual circumstances like extreme hoarding. 

What Does a Standard House Cleaning Cover? 

Basic house cleaning services generally include the following: 

• Mopping floors
• Cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms
• Removing trash 
• Cleaning the kitchen
• Replacing bed linens
• Sanitizing surfaces
• General cleaning throughout the home

Final Thoughts: Price Your Cleaning Services Accurately to Win House Cleaning Jobs

Determining how much to charge for house cleaning is a critical step toward winning cleaning jobs and getting loyal clients. Be sure your client knows exactly what they’re paying for by presenting a comprehensive, well-thought-out cleaning proposal. 

If you’re not quite sure about the final cleaning cost for a complex job, it’s a good idea to perform an initial cleaning first to know just how much work it takes to clean the home before signing a contract.

This will help you avoid getting locked in at an unexpectedly low rate for a considerable time. However, you can go ahead and finalize that contract if you’re confident about your rates. 

Consult our pricing guide ab