How to price a house cleaning job
The honest way to price a clean is by time: estimate how long it takes, multiply by what a cleaner-hour really costs you (wage plus payroll), add supplies, and mark it up to your margin. Home size is the best quick proxy for time — but the type of clean changes it dramatically. A standard recurring clean might move at ~800 sq ft per cleaner-hour; a deep clean is closer to ~450, and a move-out with empty rooms, baseboards, and inside-appliance work slows to ~350.
This calculator turns that into a single per-visit price plus the implied price per square foot, so you can compare it to local norms. It also applies a frequency discount for recurring clients — lower acquisition cost and steadier income justify a small break — while still showing whether the discounted price clears your costs.
Typical house cleaning rates by clean type (2026)
| Clean type | Typical rate | Pace per cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / recurring | $0.08 – $0.20 / sq ft | ~800 sq ft/hr |
| Deep clean | $0.12 – $0.30 / sq ft | ~450 sq ft/hr |
| Move-in / move-out | $0.15 – $0.35 / sq ft | ~350 sq ft/hr |
Ranges reflect common US residential pricing; condition and region move the number — the calculator's sanity check flags outliers.
Don't let a deep clean get priced like a standard one
The fastest way to lose money in cleaning is quoting a deep or move-out clean at standard-clean rates. Pick the right type above and the time estimate (and price) adjust automatically.
Also try: pressure washing pricing · lawn care pricing.