# How Much to Charge for House Cleaning in 2026 (Rates, Pricing Chart and Calculator)

Most cleaning companies charge per visit, and a standard clean typically runs $140–$220, according to Housecall Pro's customer data updated October 2026. Hourly rates sit around $30–$80 per cleaner. Price each home from its size, your crew's cleaning speed, drive time, supplies, overhead and profit, and charge more for first and deep cleans.

## Key takeaways

- Quote a flat price per visit, built from square footage and condition. Hourly rates are your internal check.
- In our illustrative example, a 2,000 sq ft home cleaned by two people comes to $232.73 a visit, about $0.12 per sq ft.
- A first clean takes longer, so it should cost more: $320.00 on the same home at +50% time, and $407.27 for a deep or move-out clean.
- With 30% overhead and 15% profit, the price is an 82% markup on cost and a 45% margin. Those are different numbers.
- Recurring clients get a lower per-visit price because the home stays maintained, not because you're discounting.

## How do cleaning companies price a house?

Cleaning companies price a house by estimating the person-hours it takes, then turning those hours into a flat per-visit price that covers wages, supplies, drive time, overhead and profit. Square footage gets you close; bathrooms, pets, clutter and how long since the last clean move it up or down. The calculator below runs that math with the same engine as our [job pricing calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/job-pricing-calculator).

**House cleaning price per visit**

```
Price = (cleaning hours + setup + drive × crew) × labor rate + supplies ÷ (1 − overhead % − profit %)
```

Where:
- Cleaning hours = home sq ft ÷ sq ft one cleaner finishes per hour × (1 + extra time for first or deep cleans)
- Labor rate = what each cleaner costs you per hour, including payroll taxes and workers' comp
- Overhead % = insurance, bonding, vehicle, phone, software, marketing and office time, as a share of revenue

> **Worked example: 2,000 sq ft home, recurring clean, two cleaners (illustrative inputs)**
>
> At 500 sq ft per cleaner-hour, the house takes 4 cleaner-hours. Add 20 minutes of walkthrough and pack-up, and a 20-minute drive for both cleaners: **5 paid hours**.
>
> At $24 an hour burdened, labor is $120.00. Add $8 of supplies and fuel: **$128.00 direct cost**.
>
> With 30% overhead and 15% profit, divide by 0.55: **$232.73 a visit**. That's $69.82 toward overhead and $34.91 of profit.
>
> The two cleaners are in the house about 2.2 hours, so the visit bills roughly $54 per cleaner-hour on site, inside the $30–$80 hourly range Housecall Pro reports.

The $24 labor cost is an illustrative round number. BLS reports a [median wage of $17.71 an hour](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/janitors-and-building-cleaners.htm) for janitors and building cleaners in May 2025, and Housecall Pro cites an average cleaner wage of $21.01 with employer costs adding 15–20%. If you clean alone, the same home takes you longer but you skip a second drive: one cleaner comes to $218.18 on these inputs.

## House cleaning price chart by home size

Per-visit prices climb with square footage, but the price per square foot falls, because the walkthrough and drive cost the same on a condo and a five-bedroom. Here is the worked example's cost structure run across five home sizes, beside Housecall Pro's standard and deep clean ranges for similar sizes.

**Calculated price per visit by home size, with market ranges**

| Home size | Recurring (calculated) | Deep clean (calculated) | Per sq ft, recurring | Housecall Pro: standard / deep |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1,000 sq ft (1–2 bed) | $145.45 | $232.73 | $0.145 | $100–$200 / $120–$300 |
| 1,500 sq ft (2–3 bed) | $189.09 | $320.00 | $0.126 | $150–$300 / $180–$450 |
| 2,000 sq ft (3 bed) | $232.73 | $407.27 | $0.116 | $200–$400 / $240–$600 |
| 2,500 sq ft (3–4 bed) | $276.36 | $494.55 | $0.111 | between the 2,000 and 3,000 sq ft rows |
| 3,500 sq ft (4–5 bed) | $363.64 | $669.09 | $0.104 | $300–$600 / $360–$900 (3,000 sq ft) |

_Calculated columns use the worked example's illustrative costs; deep clean = +100% cleaning time. Market ranges: [Housecall Pro](https://www.housecallpro.com/resources/house-cleaning-prices/) by square footage, verified 2026-10-24._

Bedrooms and bathrooms are how customers describe their home, so many price sheets use them. Thumbtack's October 2026 data puts a 3-bedroom, 2-bath clean at about $220 on average and a 4-bedroom at $191–$286. A fourth bathroom adds far more time than a fourth bedroom, which is why Housecall Pro lists extra bathrooms and bedrooms as $30–$60 add-ons.

## Hourly, flat rate or per square foot?

**House cleaning pricing models**

| Model | How it's quoted | Works for | Watch out for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flat rate per visit | One price for the home, set after a walkthrough or by size | Recurring residential; customers can budget | Underquoting cluttered homes you haven't seen |
| Hourly per cleaner | $X per cleaner-hour, billed on actual time | Move-outs, post-construction, unknown condition | Customers watch the clock; fast cleaners earn less |
| Per square foot | $0.10–$0.30 a sq ft (Housecall Pro) | Quick online quotes, commercial and vacant homes | Ignores bathroom count and condition |
| Per room | A price per bedroom and bathroom | Simple price lists and booking forms | Large open-plan homes and add-ons blur the count |

## What customers typically pay for house cleaning

Customers typically pay $140–$220 for a standard clean in Housecall Pro's customer data, while Thumbtack's October 2026 figures put the average job at $185–$324 and a deep clean at $190–$265. Move-out cleans cost the most among routine jobs, at $220–$400 in Housecall Pro's data.

**Third-party house cleaning price ranges**

| Figure | Range | Source and date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard clean, per visit | $140–$220 | [Housecall Pro](https://www.housecallpro.com/resources/house-cleaning-prices/), updated Oct. 23, 2026 |
| Hourly, per cleaner | $30–$80 | Housecall Pro |
| Per square foot | $0.10–$0.20 standard; $0.12–$0.30 deep | Housecall Pro |
| Move-in or move-out clean | $220–$400 | Housecall Pro |
| Average job | $185–$324 | [Thumbtack](https://www.thumbtack.com/p/house-cleaning-prices), updated Oct. 20, 2026 |
| One-time vs. every two weeks | $174–$256 vs. $160–$220 per visit | Thumbtack |
| National average | $221 ($150–$250 typical) | [Fixr](https://www.fixr.com/costs/house-cleaning), updated Jan. 31, 2025 |

_Verified 2026-10-24. Fixr's page is older than the others; use its figures as a floor check, not a current benchmark._

### Regional and city differences

Housecall Pro publishes standard clean ranges by region, from $135–$250 in the Southwest to $150–$270 in the Upper Midwest and $159–$220 in the West. City hourly rates vary more: Housecall Pro's Taskrabbit figures run from about $39 a cleaner-hour in Denver to $58 in Boston. Before you set your sheet, ask three local companies for a quote on a typical 3-bed home.

## Add-ons to price separately

- **Inside the oven** ($30–$50) and **inside the fridge** ($31–$100), per Housecall Pro. Both are quick to quote and easy for customers to say yes to.
- **Interior cabinets** ($75–$230 in Housecall Pro's data). Empty-cabinet wipes are a move-out staple.
- **Laundry and bed changes.** Fixr lists $10–$20 per load and $10–$18 per sheet change; price per load so it scales.
- **Interior windows and blinds.** Quote per window or roll it into a deep-clean package; exterior glass is a separate trade (see [window cleaning prices](https://www.brix.so/how-much-to-charge/window-cleaning)).
- **Pet hair and heavy clutter.** Add time in the calculator rather than a vague surcharge, so the price follows the work.

## Minimums, first-clean pricing and cancellations

Set a minimum per visit so small apartments still cover the drive. A 600 sq ft studio 10 minutes from your last job calculates to $96.00 on our example inputs, so a $120 minimum sets the price. Charge the first visit as a one-time or deep clean, then move to the recurring rate from visit two; Thumbtack's one-time vs. every-two-weeks ranges show customers expect that gap. Take a card on file when booking, and write a lockout and late-cancellation fee into your service agreement so a locked door doesn't cost you a crew's morning.

## Mistakes that make cleaning businesses unprofitable

1. **Adding your margin percentage as a markup.** Want a 45% margin, so you add 45% to cost? You'd charge $185.60 instead of $232.73 and keep only 31.0%. A 45% margin needs an 82% markup. See [markup vs. margin](https://www.brix.so/learn/markup-vs-margin) and the [markup and margin calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/markup-margin-calculator).
2. **Pricing by the hour you're in the house, not the hours you pay.** Drive time, the walkthrough and restocking the caddy are paid hours too.
3. **Quoting deep cleans at the recurring rate.** The first visit often takes twice as long. Price it that way or you'll lose money on every new client.
4. **Forgetting payroll costs.** A $20 wage costs more than $20 once payroll taxes and workers' comp are added. Run your rate through the [labor burden calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/labor-burden-calculator).
5. **Leaving prices flat for years.** Wages and supplies go up every year. Raise recurring clients annually with 30 days' written notice.

## How to present a cleaning quote

1. **Collect the facts before you price.** Square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, pets, and when it was last cleaned professionally. A photo or video walkthrough saves a site visit.
2. **Quote two numbers.** "The first clean is $320. After that it's $233 every visit, every two weeks."
3. **List what's included and what isn't.** A short checklist per room avoids "I thought you'd do the oven" calls. Price add-ons on the same quote.
4. **Follow up within two days.** Most lost quotes are never chased. A short text works. See [how to follow up on an estimate](https://www.brix.so/learn/how-to-follow-up-on-an-estimate).

Starting out? Our [cleaning business startup guide](https://www.brix.so/start/cleaning) covers insurance, bonding and supplies, and [cleaning business software](https://www.brix.so/for/cleaning) covers scheduling recurring visits.

BRIX sends the cleaning quote from your phone, follows up by text until the client answers, and puts recurring visits on the schedule. When a new client calls during a job, it answers, gets the home details and books the walkthrough.

- [Quotes and estimates](https://www.brix.so/features/quotes-estimates): Builds accurate quotes on site and follows up on every open estimate.
- [Sales automation](https://www.brix.so/features/sales-automation): Follows up every lead and open estimate automatically by text and email, and asks every customer for a review after the job.
- [Scheduling and dispatch](https://www.brix.so/features/scheduling-dispatch): Assigns the right crew to the right job based on skills, location and availability.
- [AI receptionist](https://www.brix.so/features/ai-receptionist): Answers every call 24/7, qualifies the caller, books the job and texts back anyone it misses.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much should I charge to clean a house?

Most standard cleans run $140–$220 a visit in Housecall Pro's 2026 data, and Thumbtack's average job is $185–$324. Build your own price from your costs: our illustrative 2,000 sq ft home comes to $232.73 with two cleaners.

### What is a fair hourly rate for house cleaning?

Housecall Pro reports $30–$80 per cleaner-hour, and city rates in its Taskrabbit data range from about $39 in Denver to $58 in Boston. Use an hourly rate to check your flat prices, and bill hourly only for jobs whose condition you can't see in advance.

### How much should I charge per square foot for cleaning?

Housecall Pro puts standard cleans at $0.10–$0.20 a square foot and deep cleans at $0.12–$0.30. Per-square-foot pricing is a starting point; adjust for bathroom count, pets and condition, and keep a minimum for small homes.

### How much more is a deep clean than a regular clean?

Fixr describes deep cleans as more than twice a standard clean, and Housecall Pro lists whole-home deep cleans at $180–$375. In the calculator, doubling cleaning time takes the example home from $232.73 to $407.27.

### Should recurring clients get a discount?

Most companies charge less per visit for weekly or every-two-weeks service because a maintained home cleans faster. Thumbtack's 2026 data shows $160–$220 for every-two-weeks visits versus $174–$256 for one-time cleans. Base the gap on timed visits, not a round percentage.

### What profit margin should a cleaning business aim for?

Set profit as a share of the price, then let the calculator find the markup. In our example, 30% overhead plus 15% profit means a 45% gross margin, which takes an 81.8% markup on direct cost. Your own overhead decides the right number.

### How do I price a move-out cleaning?

Price it as a deep clean of an empty home: inside cabinets, appliances and baseboards add time. Housecall Pro's customer data puts move-in and move-out cleans at $220–$400, and many companies quote them hourly or with a firm walkthrough first.

## Related

- [How to Start a Cleaning Business in 2026 (Costs, Licenses and First Customers)](https://www.brix.so/start/cleaning)
- [Cleaning Business Software for Maid Services and Janitorial Companies](https://www.brix.so/for/cleaning)
- [Job Pricing Calculator for Contractors](https://www.brix.so/tools/job-pricing-calculator)
- [Markup and Margin Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/markup-margin-calculator)
- [Markup vs. Margin: What's the Difference?](https://www.brix.so/learn/markup-vs-margin)
- [Labor Burden Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/labor-burden-calculator)
- [Overhead Rate Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/overhead-rate-calculator)
- [How Much to Charge for Window Cleaning in 2026 (Per Pane Rates, Chart and Calculator)](https://www.brix.so/how-much-to-charge/window-cleaning)
- [How Much to Charge for Lawn Mowing in 2026 (Rates, Pricing Chart and Calculator)](https://www.brix.so/how-much-to-charge/lawn-mowing)
- [How to Price Contracting Jobs for Profit: The Complete Guide](https://www.brix.so/guides/how-to-price-jobs)

## Sources

- [Housecall Pro, House cleaning prices (customer data; updated Oct. 23, 2026)](https://www.housecallpro.com/resources/house-cleaning-prices/) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Thumbtack, House cleaning prices (last updated Oct. 20, 2026)](https://www.thumbtack.com/p/house-cleaning-prices) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Fixr, House cleaning cost (updated Jan. 31, 2025)](https://www.fixr.com/costs/house-cleaning) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Janitors and building cleaners (pay, May 2025)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/janitors-and-building-cleaners.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)

Talk to BRIX: call or text (518) 588-1122, email eeharris2004@gmail.com, or book a 15-minute call at https://cal.com/ethanharris/15min.

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Written by BRIX Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-10-24.
Canonical: https://www.brix.so/how-much-to-charge/house-cleaning