I see a lot of posts on Facebook and other platforms where a lot of people keep asking how to price a house cleaning job? or how much should I charge my client for this many square footage house.
If you have problems with the pricing in your house cleaning business, in this blog I will give you some tips that will help you with that.
I have been in business for a long time but I started this house-cleaning business a couple of months ago and I had that job pricing problem.
This is why today I will solve that house cleaning job pricing once and for all.
Price a house cleaning Job
Bidding and pricing are the most important factors in business, or I can say the lifeblood of a cleaning service business, When you master pricing you are one step away from succeeding.
So you want to clean houses and make some money? Great! But how do you figure out how much to charge? Let’s dive in and find out!
First off, you gotta think about what you’re gonna clean. Are you just vacuuming and dusting, or are you going deep and scrubbing every nook and cranny? The more work, the more you charge!
Next up, check out what other cleaners in your area are charging. You can do this by looking at websites like Thumbtack or HomeAdvisor. These sites can give you an idea of the average prices in your neighborhood.
But remember, just 'cause everyone else is charging a certain price doesn’t mean you have to too! If you’re doing a super awesome job or using fancy eco-friendly products, you can charge a bit more.
Another thing to think about is how big the house is. Is it a tiny apartment or a huge mansion? Obviously, the bigger the house, the more you should charge. It takes more time and effort to clean a big place!
Oh, and don’t forget about the extras! If the homeowner wants you to clean inside the fridge or scrub the baseboards, you should charge extra for that. Those are special jobs that need extra attention.
Lastly, always talk to the homeowner before you start. Ask them what they want you to clean and how often they want you to come. This way, you can give them a fair price based on their needs.
So there you have it! Pricing a house cleaning job is all about figuring out how much work you’re gonna do, checking out what others are charging, considering the size of the house, adding extra for special jobs, and talking to the homeowner. With these tips, you’ll be pricing like a pro in no time!
Practical way to price a house cleaning job
Now, let's have some fun because they always say talk is cheap and the more you talk less action you will take. I'm about to show you the will way to charge or how much you should ask the homeowner to clean his/her house.
There are different ways to calculate your price, but you must try them and stick to the one that works best for you. two different cleaning companies can price the same job, using different strategies and end up with a similar price
Now let dive on the first strategy which is charge per square footage
Price a house cleaning job using the square footage method
One of the simplest ways to price a house cleaning job is by using the square footage method. This method involves charging a certain rate per square foot of the home being cleaned. It’s straightforward and easy to understand for both you and the homeowner.
For example, let’s say you decide to charge $0.10 or $0.25 per square foot for your cleaning services. If the house you’re cleaning is 1,500 square feet, you would multiply 1,500 by $0.25, which equals $375. So, you would charge $375 to clean a 1,500-square-foot home.
If you decide to charge a different amount per square footage do the same as the above example to calculate the price, it is easy.
House cleaning price differentiation
Now, keep in mind that the rate you charge per square foot can vary depending on factors like location, the level of cleanliness required, and any additional services requested by the homeowner. In areas with a higher cost of living, you might charge more per square foot to account for increased expenses. Similarly, if the homeowner wants deep cleaning or specialized services, you might adjust your rate accordingly.
Let’s consider another example. If you’re cleaning a larger home, say 3,000 square feet, and you decide to charge $0.20 per square foot, the calculation would be as follows: 3,000 square feet multiplied by $0.20 equals $600. So, you would charge $600 to clean a 3,000 square foot home at this rate.
Using the square footage method provides a clear and transparent pricing structure for both you and your clients. It allows homeowners to easily estimate the cost of your services based on the size of their home. Plus, it gives you a consistent way to calculate your rates, ensuring fairness and accuracy in your pricing.
But remember each location is different, if you are doing business in a low income area, you will need to charge according to the situation of the homeowner.
Let's say someone is getting $500 a week in a paycheck and the house is 1500 square feet, in that situation, you might end up charging like 10cent or 8cent a square feet.
Don't think you will set up your price and everything will pay the price that you have set, no. Sometimes you will need to balance according to the person and the location.
Price a house cleaning job using the number of rooms and bathrooms method
Here’s how it works: instead of focusing on square footage, you count the number of rooms and bathrooms in the house you’re cleaning. Each room and bathroom gets its own price, making it easy peasy to calculate.
Let’s break it down with some examples:
Example 1
John is living at 3234 Second Street, his house is 1500sqf
- 3 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
For this house, you might decide to charge $30 per bedroom and $20 per bathroom. So, the calculation would look like this:
- 3 bedrooms x $30 = $90
- 2 bathrooms x $20 = $40
Add those together, and you get a total of $130 to clean this house.
The reason for that is because is living in a low-income area, he is retired not able to clean for himself, and need help with cleaning
Example 2:
Robert is living at 10980 Stonebridge s, his house is 3000sqf
- 3 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
Using the same prices as before, the calculation would be:
- 4 bedrooms x $30 = $120
- 3 bathrooms x $20 = $60
Adding those up, you get a total of $180 to clean this slightly bigger house.
So the problem is you will end up burning yourself, overworked, and not getting paid enough.
The best way to charge the homeowner is to ask questions about the house, know how many square feet and how many beds and baths also don't forget these houses in the upper class have a lot of windows, some even have 2 dining rooms, more than one living room and theater room, etc.
Learn as much as possible about the job before you give a price, because as soon you give a price you got to stick to the price. Some homeowners might understand you and give you a little extra but some people won't.
Conclusion
You have learned in this blog How to price a house cleaning job, but the most important thing in this business is to practice and come up with your price strategy. Remember not all states have the same minimum wage. Based on your state adjust your price accordingly.
Now, remember, you can adjust your prices based on things like the size of the rooms or how much cleaning needs to be done. If a room is super messy or extra big, you might charge a little more for it. And if the homeowner wants special services like cleaning inside the fridge or oven or laundry, you can add that on too!
So, whether it’s a cozy little house or a big ol’ mansion, you can use the number of rooms and bathrooms method to price your cleaning jobs with confidence. Happy cleaning! Now I have a little surprise for you download a free step-by-step guide to scale your cleaning business to a 6 or 7-figure business Click this blue link.