How to Set Prices in a Cleaning Business

Whether you’re launching a new cleaning business or looking to earn some extra money on the side, knowing how much to charge for cleaning services is essential. If you set your prices too high, you’ll struggle to attract clients. But if your prices are too low, you’ll attract plenty of clients but run the risk of not having enough money to cover overheads or burning yourself out trying to make a profit. 

Here’s how to set prices for cleaning services in four easy steps, plus the easy way to schedule in-home appointments.

‍

How to set prices for cleaning services

#1. Research market rates & analyze the competition

The first step to setting prices in your cleaning business is to research other cleaning companies in your area to see what they charge. This will give you a starting rate, and can be a good way to decide if you’ll charge by the job, hour, or sq  ft. Ensure you note the going rate for a variety of services, for instance a deep clean vs a weekly clean so you can price accordingly.

‍

#2. Determine your costs

Once you know what other local cleaners charge, you need to calculate your costs to determine whether those prices would generate profit for your business. 

Calculate the costs of the following

• Travel costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance, wear and tear on the vehicle 
• Business insurance 
• Equipment and supplies
• Hourly rate of each cleaner

‍

#3. Choose a pricing model

Now that you know what it costs to operate your cleaning business and what other companies charge, it’s time to choose a pricing model. 

There are several factors to consider when deciding how to charge for your cleaning services, for example:

• Will you offer the first clean at a discounted rate or do you require all new clients to sign up for a deep clean first?
• Will you offer a package option? Is it discounted to incentivize clients to purchase multiple services at once? 
• Will you charge a travel fee? Is it dependent on how far the client is from your home? 

‍

#4. Communicate your pricing 

The final step to setting prices for your cleaning business is communicating your pricing to clients. It’s important to be transparent about your pricing and any additional costs, such as last-minute cancellation fees, charges for late payment, or travel costs. 

Display your pricing structure on your website, social media pages, and Google Business Pages. If you’re using an online booking system to enable clients to self-book their appointments (their preferred booking method), look for one that lets you set individual pricing for different service types and control additional service fees for an easy way to display and collect payments.

‍

How to schedule cleaning services the easy way

Choosing the right appointment-scheduling software is essential if you’re offering cleaning services. With appointment scheduling software, you can put your bookings, employee scheduling, and payments on autopilot so you can focus on your clients. 

MarketBox is the first appointment-scheduling software specifically designed for businesses offering in-home and mobile services. The software makes it easy for customers to self-book and pay for appointments online and for companies to simplify employee logistics, process payments, and automate administrative tasks. Book a personalized platform walkthrough with one of our experts to learn more and see the product in action.

‍