How much to charge for house cleaning
Rates reviewed July 2026
Most house cleaning is priced $25–$60 per hour in 2026, with about $40 typical. By the job, a 1-bedroom apartment usually runs $80–$150. Your rate depends mainly on home size and number of bathrooms.
Most independent house cleaners charge by the hour, by the job, or by the square foot. Hourly is simplest when you are starting out; flat per-job pricing earns more once you know your speed.
You should charge
$39
per hour · typical $25–$60
Quote at the low end instead of here and you hand back $14 per hour. Every single job.
Why this number. Quote the job, not the hour. A client hears '$45/hour' and starts watching the clock; they hear '$160 for the whole house' and just want it clean. Flat pricing also rewards you for getting faster instead of punishing you.
Got your number? The hard part is keeping it when the client pushes back.
Typical house cleaning prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (standard) | $80 – $150 |
| 3-bedroom house (standard) | $120 – $220 |
| Deep clean1.5–2× a standard clean | $200 – $400 |
| Move-out / move-in clean | $150 – $350 |
Also common: By square foot, $0.05–$0.15/sq ft is common for standard cleans.
Free · The words, not just the number
Get the house cleaning pricing script
A short, calm script for quoting house cleaning in person. The goal is not to pitch. It is to ask a few good questions, say your number once without flinching, and let them talk themselves into yes.
- ✓The questions to ask before you ever name a price
- ✓How to say your number so it lands, then stay quiet
- ✓The line for when they say "that's too much" (no discounting)
- ✓A rate-increase template for clients you already have
- ✓Plus What to Say: the free AI that answers any client pushback
Instant unlock, and a copy in your inbox. No spam. The calculator stays free either way.
What changes the price
- Home size and number of bathrooms (bathrooms and kitchens take the longest)
- Standard clean vs. deep clean vs. move-out clean
- How often the client books (weekly clients should get a lower rate than one-offs)
- Your local cost of living and how booked your calendar is
The pricing move most people miss
Quote the job, not the hour. A client hears '$45/hour' and starts watching the clock; they hear '$160 for the whole house' and just want it clean. Flat pricing also rewards you for getting faster instead of punishing you.
What to SayAI
They pushed back on your price? Get the exact reply.
Paste what a house cleaning client says. A sales-psychology-trained AI writes the words that hold your price, in seconds. Free.
Get the reply →Running a house cleaning business? See the best software for it →
Need the gear? The best house cleaning equipment the pros use →
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for house cleaning?+
Most house cleaning is priced $25–$60 per hour, with a typical rate around $40 per hour. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to home size and number of bathrooms (bathrooms and kitchens take the longest) and standard clean vs. deep clean vs. move-out clean. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge by the hour or a flat rate for house cleaning?+
Charging by the hour ($25–$60 per hour) is the simplest way to start and protects you when the scope is unclear. But once you know how long a typical job takes, a flat per-job price usually earns more: it pays you for getting faster instead of punishing you for it, and clients prefer a fixed number they can budget around. By square foot, $0.05–$0.15/sq ft is common for standard cleans.
How much should I charge for house cleaning as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $25 to $40 per hour. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $60.
What affects how much house cleaning costs?+
The biggest factors are home size and number of bathrooms (bathrooms and kitchens take the longest); standard clean vs. deep clean vs. move-out clean; how often the client books (weekly clients should get a lower rate than one-offs); your local cost of living and how booked your calendar is. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote house cleaning so the client says yes?+
Quote the job, not the hour. A client hears '$45/hour' and starts watching the clock; they hear '$160 for the whole house' and just want it clean. Flat pricing also rewards you for getting faster instead of punishing you. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.