If you're just starting your cleaning business, the first question clients ask is, "How much do you charge?" and the first question you ask yourself is, "How much are others charging?" In 2026, a freelance cleaner in the United States charges between $25 and $50 per hour , and a standard cleaning of a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house pays between $150 and $250 per visit . But the range is huge depending on the city, the type of cleaning, and whether you work alone or with employees. This guide gives you the real numbers, an easy way to calculate your price, and an estimate sheet you can copy today.
How much to charge for house cleaning: the three pricing formats
In the United States, there are three ways to get paid. It's a good idea to know all three, because each customer asks questions differently, and you need to be able to answer any of them.
| Format | Range 2026 (standard cleaning) | When it is convenient |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $25-$50 per cleaner (independent); $40-$70 per hour if it is a company with employees and insurance | Initial visits, very dirty houses, jobs difficult to estimate |
| Per visit (fixed price) | $100 – $150 1–2 bedroom apartment; $150 – $250 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house; $250 – $400 4–5 bedroom house | Recurring customers (weekly, bi-weekly). This is the most common type. |
| Per square foot | $0.08 – $0.15 standard; $0.15 – $0.25 deep cleaning; $0.20 – $0.35 post-construction | Large houses, offices, commercial contracts |
For market reference: the median hourly wage for a cleaning worker employed by a company is about $17 (2025 National Median from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupation 37-2012, via O*NET ). That's what the worker earns; the price to the client is two to three times that amount because it includes supplies, transportation, insurance, taxes, and the business's profit. If you charge $18 an hour as an independent contractor, you're working for less than an employee and without any of their benefits.
House cleaning price list by service type
| Service | Typical price 2026 | Estimated time (1 person) |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring standard cleaning (3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms) | $ 150 - $ 250 | 3 - 4 hours |
| Deep cleaning | 1.5 to 2 times the standard: $250 – $450 | 5 - 8 hours |
| Move-in/move-out cleaning | $250 – $500 (empty house, extra charge for details) | 5 - 8 hours |
| Post-construction or remodeling | $0.20 – $0.35 per square foot | It depends on the dust and debris. |
| Airbnb apartment (turnover) | $80 – $150 per guest change | 1.5 - 3 hours |
| Small office (up to 2,000 sq ft) | $100-$200 per visit, usually 2-3 times per week | 2 - 3 hours |
Extras that are charged separately
- Oven interior: $25 – $45
- Refrigerator interior: $25 – $45
- Windows inside: $5 – $10 per window
- Washing and folding clothes: $20 – $30 per load
- Garage or basement cleaning: $50 – $150
- Blinds, ceiling fans, baseboards: $20 – $50 per job
- Pet hair or homes with pets: 10%–20% surcharge
Rule of thumb: anything not on your standard list is charged as extra . The most common mistake beginners make is agreeing to clean the oven once and then being obligated to do it for free forever.
House cleaning prices by state and city
The cost of living dictates the rate. These are the hourly rates charged by Hispanic freelance cleaners in 2026, based on reports from businesses in our community and averages from platforms like Thumbtack and Angi (references, not fixed prices):
| Area | Per hour (independent) | 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house, standard |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville y Nashville, Tennessee | $ 25 - $ 35 | $ 130 - $ 200 |
| Houston, Dallas, San Antonio (Texas) | $ 25 - $ 40 | $ 140 - $ 220 |
| Orlando, Tampa (Florida) | $ 28 - $ 40 | $ 150 - $ 230 |
| Miami | $ 30 - $ 45 | $ 170 - $ 260 |
| Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh | $ 28 - $ 40 | $ 150 - $ 230 |
| Chicago | $ 30 - $ 45 | $ 170 - $ 260 |
| Los Angeles, San Diego | $ 35 - $ 55 | $ 200 - $ 320 |
| New York, New Jersey | $ 40 - $ 60 | $ 220 - $ 350 |
If you're in a small town, don't charge less than $25 an hour, even if "everyone else is charging less." Below that, after gas, supplies, and taxes, you'll be left with less than the actual minimum wage in the area. In Tennessee, you can also find detailed licensing information in our guide to opening a cleaning business.
Price calculator: how to calculate your rate in 5 steps
Don't copy your neighbor's price. Calculate your own. This method works whether you work alone or have two or three employees.
- Your hourly labor cost. If you work alone, decide how much you want to earn net per hour (for example, $22). If you have employees, use what you pay them plus 10% payroll tax: $16 × 1.10 = $17.60.
- Products and equipment. Between $5 and $10 per product job, plus the cost of equipment (vacuum cleaner, mop, microfiber cloths): about $2 per hour.
- Transportation. Gasoline and vehicle wear and tear. The IRS rate for 2026 is a good reference per mile (see IRS 2026 mileage rate). With 15 miles per job, that's about $10.
- Fixed expenses distributed. Liability insurance ($40–$90 per month), phone, business license, business cards, and advertising. If you earn $250 per month and do 40 jobs, that's $6 per job.
- Profit and taxes. Add 25%–35% of the total. That's where the... self-employment tax (15.3%) if you are self-employed and the actual profit from the business.
Example with real numbers
| 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, standard cleaning, 3.5 hours, just you | |
| Labor: 3.5 h × $22 | $77.00 |
| Products and equipment: 3.5 h × $2 + $6 | $13.00 |
| Transportation (15 miles) | $10.00 |
| Fixed work expenses | $6.00 |
| Total cost | $106.00 |
| Profit and taxes (30%) | $31.80 |
| Customer price | $138 → rounds up to $140 – $150 |
That's your minimum price. If the market in your city pays $180 for that house, charge $180: the calculation tells you where the floor is, not the ceiling. And when you go from working alone to having employees, repeat the calculation: the price goes up because now you're paying payroll, workers' compensation insurance, and your supervision time.
How to give a cleaning estimate that the client will accept
The estimate (the "estimate sheet") is your sales tool. A client who receives a clear document outlining what's included and what's not almost never haggles. Before giving a price, visit the house or ask for photos and ask these questions: how many bedrooms and bathrooms, if there are pets, when was the last deep cleaning, and how often they want the service.
Estimate sheet (template to copy)
| Business name, phone number, email | Estimated date · Valid for 30 days |
| Client and address | Size: ___ bedrooms / ___ bathrooms / ___ square feet |
| Service | ☐ Standard ☐ Deep Clean ☐ Move · Frequency: ☐ Weekly ☐ Bi-weekly ☐ Monthly ☐ Once |
| It includes | Kitchen (surfaces, exterior of appliances, sink), full bathrooms, floors (sweeping, vacuuming, mopping), dusting furniture and frames, trash, making beds |
| Does not include (extras) | Oven interior $__ · Refrigerator $__ · Windows $__ · Laundry $__ |
| Price | Initial (deep) cleaning: $____ · Recurring visits: $____ each |
| Terms and conditions | Payment upon completion (Zelle, cash, card). Cancellation with 24 hours notice; otherwise, 50% will be charged. |
Two tips that will change your results: charge for the first cleaning as a deep clean (there's always more work than the client thinks) and offer a discount for frequent visits (for example, $180 for a monthly visit, $160 for a bi-weekly visit, $145 for a weekly visit). Weekly clients provide a steady income and are cheaper to service because their homes never get as dirty.
The most costly pricing mistakes
- Charge recurring customers by the hour. The faster you work, the less you earn. Switch to a price per visit as soon as you see the house.
- Do not charge for estimated visits to very large or remote houses. For homes larger than 4,000 square feet or more than 30 minutes away, charge $25-$50 for a visit and deduct it if they hire you.
- Raise prices "when I can". It goes up between 5% and 10% every year, with 30 days' notice. Products, gasoline, and insurance go up every year; your price should too.
- Working without insurance to "save money". A broken vase or a fall in a client's home can cost you more than a year's worth of insurance. See what's covered. insurance for the cleaning business.
- Do not put the price in writing. Send a text message or email with the accepted estimate. Avoid saying "I understood that it included the windows."
Frequently asked questions about how much to charge for cleaning houses
How much does it cost to clean a 3-bedroom house?
Between $150 and $250 for a standard cleaning in 2026, and between $250 and $450 for a deep cleaning. In expensive cities (New York, Los Angeles, Miami) the price range increases by 30%–40%.
Is it better to charge by the hour or by the job?
You charge by the hour when you're unfamiliar with the house; by the job (fixed price) for repeat clients. With a fixed price, you earn more as you become more efficient, and the client knows exactly how much they'll pay.
How much should I charge for a deep cleaning?
Between 1.5 and 2 times the price of standard cleaning. Includes baseboards, inside cabinets, behind appliances, fans, and door frames.
How much should I charge for a move-out cleaning?
From $250 to $500 depending on size. Many landlords and apartment managers pay well for this service and repeat it every time the tenant changes: it's a good niche to enter the commercial market.
How much does a house cleaning business earn per month?
A single person with 15-20 recurring clients bills between $4,000 and $7,000 per month. With a team of 3 people and 40-60 clients, billings range from $15,000 to $25,000, with a net profit of 15%-25% after payroll, insurance, and taxes.
Do I need a license to charge for cleaning houses?
In most states, there isn't a specific cleaning license, but you do need a business license from your city or county, an EIN if you have employees, and, in some states, sales tax registration if you sell products. We explain it state by state in [link to relevant information]. How to start a cleaning business.
Next Steps
- How to get clients for your cleaning company (Price is useless without customers)
- Business plan for a cleaning company
- Licenses to open a cleaning business
- En español: How to start a cleaning business in the US
Prices are market estimates for 2026 and vary by city and service; use them as a starting point for your own calculations. Need to form your LLC, get an EIN, or get your cleaning business taxes in order in Tennessee? Request a quote.
Read the Hispanic Entrepreneurs magazine
