How Much Should You Charge for House Cleaning? A Guide to Building Value

If you’re running (or launching) a house cleaning service, one of the most challenging questions you’ll face is simple on the surface: how much should I charge?

A quick Google search will give you numbers, anywhere from $20 an hour to $200 per visit, depending on location and services. But here’s the truth: the most successful cleaning businesses aren’t winning because they’re the cheapest. They’re winning because their prices reflect value, trust, and quality.

This guide will help you to understand how to charge for house cleaning, thinking beyond hourly rates and build a pricing strategy that grows your business and your reputation.

The Problem With Competing on Price Alone

Plenty of cleaners start by undercharging just to “get clients.” The result? They attract bargain-hunters who jump ship at the first cheaper offer. It’s exhausting, and it doesn’t build a sustainable business.

At ServiceForge, we see a clear pattern: the businesses that thrive long-term are the ones that confidently charge for the whole experience, not just hours worked.

What Really Shapes Your Price

Instead of asking, “What’s the going rate?”, ask: “What am I offering that makes my service worth more?”

Here are the most significant factors:

• Location & Cost of Living: A two-bedroom condo in the suburbs will be priced differently from a three-story townhouse in New York City.
• Scope of Service: Is it a surface clean, or a deep clean with ovens, windows, and laundry? Different pricing models may apply depending on whether the job is a standard clean or a deep clean.
• Frequency: One-off cleans cost more per visit than a weekly slot. Frequency of the cleaning can affect the overall cost, with regular cleaning routines often being more economical.
• Add-Ons: Eco-friendly products, organization, pet care, or same-day service all add perceived value. Add-on services can include specialty tasks like window washing or appliance cleaning, and the number of extra bedrooms or the total room count can increase the price.

Example: Pink’s Windows in Austin built an incredible brand focused on window cleaning. They quote for commercial cleaning contracts tailored to their customers’ needs. Details about their liability insurance, quality, and niche raise their perceived value.

If you are someone who is looking for more cleaning contracts - Read our article on how to get cleaning contracts.

The Power of Transparent Pricing

Clients want more than clean floors; they want clarity. Hidden fees or vague “it depends” quotes erode trust.

• Package your services. Offer clear tiers: Basic Clean, Standard Clean, Premium Deep Clean. It is always recommended to use flat fee, flat rate pricing, or per room pricing to make costs transparent and easy to understand.
• Show what’s included. A bulleted list beats fine print every time. Alway be clear indicating which speciality services and additional services are available under optional add-ons in each package.
• Explain your why. If you charge more for eco-products, say so. If your team is insured and background-checked, highlight that.

Charge for Quality, Not Just Hours

Anyone can say, “It’ll take three hours.” But homeowners aren’t paying for minutes — they’re paying for results.

Think about it:

• A $120 deep clean cleaning service or more thorough cleaning performed by experienced cleaners or professional cleaners that leaves a kitchen spotless feels like a bargain.
• A $60 quick job that misses the details feels overpriced.

Think Premium at Every Step

Beyond price and quality, clients value ease of service most. When reviewing your customer journey, are there any places that could use a tidy-up? The most successful cleaning businesses make scheduling, communication, and payments seamless. 

With ServiceForge, it’s simple: clients can book online with a few clicks, reach you by phone without the back-and-forth, and manage appointments from one place. That convenience becomes part of your value, showing customers you respect their time as much as their home.

Pricing is Part of Your Brand

Your rate is more than a number. It signals how you see yourself — and how clients see you.

• Too low? You look inexperienced.
• Too high without context? You risk looking out of touch.
• Clear, confident, and human? You stand out as professional and trustworthy.

The best house cleaning businesses charge in a way that says: We care about your property, we care about your time, and we stand behind our work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Undervaluing your service hurts both your business and your industry. So charge prices that make you proud of what you do, and give your team enough time to provide sparkling service. Avoid: 

• Racing to the bottom: Competing only on price.
• Ignoring costs: Forgetting insurance, supplies, travel time, and admin hours.
• Hiding extras: Surprising clients with add-ons at the end of a visit. All add on services and additional services should be clearly listed in the initial quote to maintain transparency.

See Your Business Shine

So, how much should you charge for house cleaning? Enough to cover costs, yes. But also enough to reflect the care, consistency, and trust you bring into someone’s home.

The ServiceForge home services community has repeatedly shown us that businesses that prioritize quality service and a human-first brand don’t just survive, they grow.

In the end, your price isn’t just what you charge; it’s what you stand for.