House Cleaning Pricing Guide: What to Charge in 2026
Current House Cleaning rates by job type, region, and experience level. Use real market data to set competitive prices and maximize your margins.
The residential cleaning industry is worth over $20 billion in the U.S. and growing at 6% annually, fueled by dual-income households and an aging population. Yet pricing remains one of the biggest challenges for cleaning business owners. A house cleaner in Chicago told us she doubled her income in one year simply by switching from hourly to flat-rate pricing and adding a deep-clean tier. She did not work more hours; she just charged what her time was actually worth.
This guide provides specific pricing for every type of cleaning job, shows how rates differ across major metros, and teaches you how to build a pricing structure that grows with your business.
How Much Should You Charge for a Deep Clean in 2026?
Deep cleans command premium pricing because they require more time, supplies, and physical effort than standard maintenance cleans. Below are realistic prices for every common residential cleaning job.
| Job Type | Price Range | Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Clean (3-bed, 2-bath) | $150 to $250 | $190 | Weekly or biweekly client |
| Deep Clean (3-bed, 2-bath) | $300 to $500 | $380 | First-time or quarterly |
| Move-Out Clean (3-bed, 2-bath) | $350 to $600 | $450 | Empty home, every surface |
| Move-In Clean | $300 to $500 | $375 | Before furniture arrives |
| Post-Construction Clean | $400 to $800 | $575 | Dust, debris, detail work |
| Office Clean (small, under 2000 sqft) | $150 to $300 | $200 | Weekly service |
| Airbnb/Vacation Rental Turnover | $100 to $250 | $160 | Per turnover |
| Window Cleaning (interior, per window) | $5 to $12 | $8 | Add-on service |
| Refrigerator/Oven Deep Clean | $40 to $80 | $55 | Per appliance add-on |
| Laundry (wash, dry, fold) | $25 to $50 | $35 | Per load add-on |
| Organizing (per hour) | $40 to $75 | $55 | Closets, pantry, garage |
House cleaning prices in 2026 should reflect the rising cost of supplies, insurance, and transportation. Adjust these ranges upward for homes over 2500 sq ft or with pets.
What Do House Cleaners Charge Per Hour in Major Cities?
Location dramatically affects what you can charge. Cleaning rates in New York are nearly double those in Phoenix, and customers in high-cost metros expect to pay more.
| Metro Area | Avg Hourly Rate | Avg Standard Clean | Cost of Living Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $40 to $65 | $250 | 1.38 |
| Los Angeles | $35 to $55 | $225 | 1.28 |
| Chicago | $30 to $50 | $200 | 1.12 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $25 to $40 | $175 | 0.97 |
| Houston | $25 to $40 | $170 | 0.95 |
| Phoenix | $25 to $38 | $165 | 0.93 |
| Philadelphia | $30 to $50 | $205 | 1.15 |
| Atlanta | $25 to $40 | $175 | 0.98 |
| Miami | $30 to $48 | $195 | 1.10 |
| Washington DC | $35 to $60 | $240 | 1.32 |
These rates are for solo cleaners or small teams. Franchise operations often charge 20% to 40% more due to brand overhead. Independent house cleaners can be competitive on price while earning more per hour by keeping overhead low.
Hourly vs Flat-Rate vs Per-Square-Foot: Which Pricing Model Works Best for House Cleaning?
| Model | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | First-time clients, deep cleans | Fair for unpredictable scope | Penalizes fast workers |
| Flat-Rate | Recurring maintenance cleans | Predictable, rewards speed | Must estimate accurately |
| Per-Square-Foot | Large homes, commercial spaces | Scales with size | Does not account for condition |
Flat-rate pricing is the gold standard for recurring residential cleaning. Quote a fixed price based on bedrooms, bathrooms, and condition. As you get faster with experience, your effective hourly rate increases. A cleaner who quotes $190 for a 3-bed home and finishes in 2 hours earns $95/hr. The same cleaner charging $30/hr would earn $60 for that same job.
Hourly rates make sense for first-time deep cleans where you cannot predict the condition. Quote an estimated range and communicate it clearly. Per-square-foot pricing ($0.05 to $0.15 per sq ft) works for large homes and commercial spaces where the area is the primary cost driver.
What Should a House Cleaner Charge Based on Experience Level?
- Entry Level (0-1 year): $20 to $28/hr or $120 to $160 per standard clean. New cleaners are still building speed and quality. Lower pricing helps build a client base and collect reviews.
- Experienced Cleaner (2-5 years): $28 to $40/hr or $160 to $220 per standard clean. Speed and quality are consistent. Clients are willing to pay more for reliability.
- Senior/Specialist (5-10 years): $40 to $55/hr or $220 to $300 per standard clean. Specialization in deep cleans, move-outs, or Airbnb turnovers commands premium pricing.
- Business Owner with Team (10+ years): $50 to $75/hr effective rate per cleaner. The owner charges enough to cover team wages, supplies, insurance, and profit margin. A two-person team billing at $65/hr each generates $130/hr in revenue.
How Much Should House Cleaners Mark Up Supplies and Add-Ons?
| Material/Category | Typical Markup | Your Cost | Customer Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Cleaner (per job) | Built into rate | $1.50 | Included |
| Microfiber Cloths (per job) | Built into rate | $0.75 | Included |
| Vacuum Bags/Filters (per month) | Built into rate | $8 | Included |
| Specialty Product (oven cleaner) | 200% to 300% | $4 | $12 to $16 |
| Inside-Oven Deep Clean | Service fee | $4 supplies | $50 to $80 total |
| Inside-Fridge Deep Clean | Service fee | $3 supplies | $40 to $60 total |
| Laundry Service (per load) | Service fee | $3 supplies | $25 to $50 total |
| Window Cleaning (per window) | Service fee | $0.50 supplies | $5 to $12 total |
Standard supplies should be built into your flat-rate cleaning price. Do not itemize them. Specialty add-ons like oven deep cleaning, laundry, and inside-fridge cleaning are priced as separate services with significant markup because they require extra time and supplies.
The real cost of supplies is typically 3% to 5% of your cleaning revenue. If you spend more than 5% on supplies, review your product choices and usage.
When and How to Raise Your House Cleaning Rates
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After completing your first 50 recurring clients. A full client roster means you are in demand. Raise new-client rates by 10% to 15%. Grandfather existing clients for 3 to 6 months.
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When you start turning down work. If you are declining jobs because of a full schedule, your prices are too low. Raise rates until demand matches capacity.
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At your annual business anniversary. A 3% to 5% annual increase is standard and expected. Notify clients 30 days in advance with a brief, professional note.
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When supply or gas costs spike. Cleaning supply costs rose 12% in 2025. Pass through cost increases with transparent communication.
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After adding insurance or bonding. Licensed, bonded, and insured cleaners charge 15% to 25% more than uninsured competitors. This is a selling point, not just a cost.
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When you hire employees. Adding staff means adding payroll taxes, workers comp, and management time. Your rates must cover these new costs while maintaining margin.
House Cleaning Pricing Mistakes That Cost You Money
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Charging hourly instead of flat-rate for recurring clients. Hourly pricing punishes you for getting faster. Switch to flat-rate and reward your own efficiency.
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Not charging enough for first-time deep cleans. The initial clean takes 2x to 3x longer than maintenance cleans. Price it accordingly or you start every client relationship at a loss.
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Offering discounts for cash payment. Cash discounts reduce your revenue by 10% to 15% and create accounting headaches. Charge the same regardless of payment method.
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Forgetting to factor in drive time. A 30-minute drive between jobs adds an hour of unpaid time per day. Cluster jobs geographically or add a travel surcharge for distant clients.
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Underpricing homes with pets. Pet hair doubles cleaning time on upholstered furniture and floors. Add a $20 to $50 pet surcharge and explain the reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge for a 3-bedroom house cleaning in 2026?
A standard maintenance clean for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home runs $150 to $250 depending on your metro area and the home's condition. Deep cleans of the same home run $300 to $500. Quote based on bedrooms and bathrooms, not square footage alone, because bathrooms and kitchens are the most labor-intensive areas.
Should I charge more for biweekly vs weekly cleaning?
Yes. Biweekly cleanings take 15% to 25% longer than weekly because the home accumulates more dirt. Charge 10% to 20% more per visit for biweekly service compared to weekly. Monthly cleanings should be priced similarly to deep cleans because the home condition deteriorates significantly between visits.
How do I price an Airbnb turnover clean?
Airbnb turnover cleans typically run $100 to $250 depending on the property size, number of bedrooms, and required tasks (laundry, restocking, etc.). Price per turnover, not per hour. Build in a premium for same-day or short-notice turnovers. Many cleaners charge $25 to $50 extra for less than 24 hours notice.
What percentage of revenue should go to supplies vs profit?
Supplies should account for 3% to 5% of revenue. Labor (including your own wage) should be 40% to 50%. Transportation is 5% to 8%. Insurance and business expenses are 10% to 15%. That leaves 25% to 35% for profit and reinvestment. If your profit margin is below 20%, review your pricing and efficiency.
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