How to price house cleaning when you work alone

How much should I charge for house cleaning?

We found no reliable national figure, so we won't print one. Prices vary by city, by house size and by what is included. A better way to set yours:

1. Look at what cleaners in your area list on local sites and community groups, for the same size of house.
2. Time your next five cleans from arrival to leaving, and add the drive.
3. Add what supplies cost you per visit.
4. Divide what you would charge by the total hours. If the hourly figure is too low to live on, raise the price or narrow what is included.

Should I charge by the hour or a flat rate?

A flat rate per visit is simple for regular clients: they know the bill, and you are paid for doing it well, not slowly. Hourly suits jobs you can't size in advance, like a first clean of a neglected house. Some cleaners quote the first visit hourly, then switch to a flat rate once they know the house.

If you charge by the hour, agree the hours in writing and put them on the bill. SnapPaid does not track hours.

How do I price a deep clean or a move-out?

Price them separately from a regular clean, because they take longer and the scope is bigger. Before quoting, ask for photos or walk through, and list what is included: inside the oven, inside the fridge, baseboards, inside cabinets, windows. Anything not on the list is extra.

For a big one-off job, a deposit when you book is reasonable. SnapPaid has no deposit feature, but you can send a bill for the deposit before the job and a second bill for the rest after. Getting paid the same day

How do I raise my prices with existing clients?

Give notice, give a date and keep it short. A month ahead is fair notice.

Should I have a cancellation policy?

Yes, in writing, before the first clean. Say how much notice you need and what a late cancellation or a locked door costs. Then it is a rule both of you agreed to, not a fee you invent on the day.

If you do charge a late-cancellation fee, send it as its own bill with a short description, so it is on record like any other job.