The fastest way to underprice house cleaning is to copy a competitor's flat rate without knowing how long the job takes you. Price from time × your target hourly rate, then round to a clean flat price.
Pick your target hourly rate
This is what you want to earn per cleaner-hour before supplies, travel and taxes. Solo cleaners in many US markets target somewhere around $40–$70 per hour; check what reputable local services charge and where you want to sit.
Estimate the hours
Home size sets the baseline. Bathrooms are the biggest time sink, then kitchens, then bedrooms. Pets, clutter and how long since the last clean all add time.
Adjust for the type of clean
- Standard / recurring: maintenance cleaning of a home you have already deep-cleaned.
- Deep clean: first visit or seasonal clean, roughly 1.5× the time.
- Move-in / move-out: empty home, inside cabinets and appliances, often 1.8× or more.
Recurring discounts
Weekly and biweekly clients are worth a discount because they are faster to clean and keep your schedule full. Offer the discount, but always charge full price (or a deep clean) for the first visit.