"How much should I charge per hour?" is a question everyone asks when they want to clean for other people. From the other side comes the question "what is a normal price for cleaning, and who can I give my keys to?". There is no single number that applies everywhere. Prices vary by location, by the scope of the work and by whether the cleaning is done by a company or by someone from the neighborhood. What can be said precisely is what the price is made of and how to set it fairly. And that is more useful than any price table.
What makes up the price of cleaning
- Time. The basis of almost every price. The size of the home, the number of bathrooms and how long it has been since the last clean matter more than anything else.
- Type of cleaning. Regular maintenance cleaning is different from a deep clean, a move-out clean or cleaning after renovation work.
- Cleaning products and equipment. If the person cleaning brings them, they should be included in the price. Private helpers often use the household's products, companies usually bring their own.
- Travel. Travel time and transport costs are also part of the work, especially for longer journeys.
- Extra tasks. Windows, blinds, the inside of the oven and fridge, ironing or carpet shampooing take a lot of time and are often charged separately.
- Timing. Evenings, weekends, holidays and the period before the end of the year are in higher demand, and some people charge extra for them.
By the hour, a flat rate or a full day
| Method | When it fits | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | regular cleaning, when the scope cannot be estimated precisely | agree on what gets priority if there is not enough time |
| Flat rate per task | cleaning before moving in, after guests leave, window washing | the scope must be described very precisely |
| Full day | a large house, a deep clean, cleaning after renovation work | have enough products and equipment ready, agree on breaks |
For a small apartment that is cleaned regularly, a few hours once a week or every two weeks is usually enough. If it has not been cleaned for a long time, it is better to start with one deep clean and only then switch to a regular rhythm.
Why the first clean costs more
The first clean almost always takes longer. Build-up has to be removed that no longer forms with regular cleaning, and the person cleaning does not yet know the home or the household's habits. Common solutions:
- price the first clean separately, as a flat rate or at a higher hourly rate,
- for regular work, for example every week or every two weeks, offer a slightly lower rate, because a regular customer means security,
- for a one-off job, allow a buffer, because an unfamiliar home can hold surprises.
How to set your own price
If you are starting to clean for other people, try these steps:
- Find out the usual prices nearby. Look at ads from both individuals and companies in your town or neighborhood. Local prices tell you more than any national average.
- Time yourself. On your first jobs, write down how long a home of a certain size really takes. Estimates by eye tend to be too optimistic.
- Add travel. An hour spent traveling is your time, even if no work is visible.
- Set a minimum. For example at least two hours per visit, so the journey is worth it.
- Do not offer the lowest price on the market. A cheap offer often attracts customers who will push for even less. Give a discount for regular bookings instead.
- State the price clearly and in advance. The hourly rate, the price of extra tasks and who brings the products, all in one message.
If you are looking for help, the process is similar. Compare several offers nearby and pay attention to what exactly they include. A suspiciously cheap offer may mean that something was left out, such as products, travel or windows.
Sample messages
When you offer cleaning:
"Hello, I offer home cleaning in [neighborhood] and the surrounding area. I do regular and deep cleaning, windows and ironing. I charge an hourly rate, windows by number and size. I work with your products, or bring my own by arrangement. Before the first clean I can come for a short visit so we can estimate the time and price together."
When you are looking for help:
"Hello, I am looking for help cleaning a two-room apartment with one bathroom, every two weeks, ideally on Friday mornings. It needs floors, bathroom, kitchen and dusting, no windows for now. Products and a vacuum cleaner are at home. What would your price be, and when could you come for the first time?"
What to agree on before the first clean
- Which rooms and what in them, and what not (for example, a desk with papers is left alone).
- What is done every time and what only occasionally (windows, oven, fridge, bed linen).
- Who provides the products, vacuum cleaner, mop and ladder. Whether any surfaces need a special product.
- Is there a pet at home? Is anyone allergic to certain products?
- When the work starts and ends, and what happens if it takes longer.
- How and when payment is made: cash or transfer, after each clean or once a month.
- How appointments are canceled. A common agreement is to give at least a day's notice.
- What happens in case of illness or holidays.
Trust and keys
Cleaning means letting someone into your most private space. A clear start helps build trust.
- First clean while someone is at home. It shows where everything is, and both sides get to know each other.
- Recommendations from people nearby. Neighbors, colleagues or the building manager often know someone who has cleaned for them for years.
- A real name and a working phone number, not just a nickname in a chat.
- Put away valuables and documents. This is not distrust. It also protects the person cleaning from misunderstandings.
- Keys only after several visits. Write down the handover of keys (date, number of keys). With an electronic lock the code can be changed, and it should always be changed when the arrangement ends.
- Cameras only openly. If there is a camera at home, say so. Never in the bathroom or in private areas.
Safety and fairness for both sides
- Payment after the clean. Do not pay a whole month in advance to someone you barely know.
- Feedback straight away and specific. A sentence like "there was still dust behind the bathtub" helps more than silent dissatisfaction for weeks.
- On the first appointment with new people, tell someone close to you where you are going to clean.
- No upfront payments from the person cleaning. Anyone who asks for money "for registration" or "for materials" before the work even starts is not a serious customer.
- Work safely. Do not mix cleaning products, wear gloves with strong products and only clean windows from a stable position.
- Keep a record of hours worked and payments. This prevents misunderstandings on both sides.
What about the rules
The rules for household help vary greatly from country to country. In some places there is a simple way to register and insure household help, in others regular income from cleaning is treated as a business. If cleaning becomes a regular source of income, or if you want to hire someone to clean regularly, check with the tax office, the social insurance office or an accountant what applies where you live.
Cleaning nearby
Whether you clean or are looking for someone to help you, the hardest part is usually finding the other person close by. At QuickCashSpace we are preparing a service that we think you will like. Sign up for news – the form is right below this article – and we will let you know when it launches.