How to Give a House Cleaning Estimate

Before you can schedule your first cleaning you need to know how to give a house cleaning estimate.

A house cleaning estimate is a simple guess of:

• How long the job will take
• How much you will charge

When you know your hourly rate (how much you want to earn each hour) and you have a basic pricing sheet or cost calculator, you are ready to give estimates.

In this guide you will learn:

• How to give a house cleaning estimate step by step
• How to give a house cleaning estimate over the phone
• How to give an in home house cleaning estimate
• How to give a house cleaning estimate by website or email
• Tips to keep your prices fair and easy to understand

This is written in simple language so even a child could follow along.

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Step 1 – Know your hourly rate

Before you give any house cleaning estimate you must know your hourly rate.

Your hourly rate is how much you want to make for one hour of work.
For example:

• If your hourly rate is 25 dollars per hour
• And a home will take 4 hours
• The price is 25 x 4 = 100 dollars

You can choose your hourly rate by looking at:

• Your local area (what other cleaners charge)
• Your costs (gas, supplies, insurance, helpers)
• Your income goal (how much you want to make each month)

Write your hourly rate on your pricing sheet or in your calculator. You will use this number in every estimate.

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Step 2 – Decide how you will give the estimate

There are three main ways to give a house cleaning estimate:

1. Over the phone
2. In the home
3. By website or email

You can use one method or mix all three. The right method is the one that gets you the most happy customers and fits your schedule.

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How to Give a House Cleaning Estimate Over the Phone

An over the phone estimate is when the customer calls you and you give them a price during the call.

Once you get used to cleaning and know how long each area takes to clean, your phone estimates will be very close to the real time in the home. You do not need a perfect guess. You only need a good, honest estimate.

What you need for a phone estimate

• Your pricing sheet or cost calculator
• A pen and paper or notes app
• A quiet place so you can think and listen

Questions to ask on the call

These questions help you learn how big the job is. You can adjust them to fit your business.

Basic questions:

• How many bedrooms do you have
• How many bathrooms do you have
• How many living areas do you have (living room, family room)
• Do you have a dining room
• Do you have an office or extra rooms
• How many levels or floors does your home have
• Do you have pets
• When was the last time the home was cleaned

Extra questions that help with your time estimate:

• Is this a one time deep clean or a regular clean
• How many people live in the home
• Are there any areas you want us to skip
• Are there any very dirty areas we should know about (oven, shower, heavy dust)

As you ask the questions, write the rooms and the time you think each one will take. For example:

• Bathrooms – 45 minutes each
• Bedrooms – 20 minutes each
• Kitchen – 60 minutes
• Living room – 30 minutes

Add up the minutes for the whole home. Turn the minutes into hours. Then multiply by your hourly rate.

Simple phone estimate example

• 2 bathrooms at 45 minutes each = 90 minutes
• 3 bedrooms at 20 minutes each = 60 minutes
• Kitchen = 60 minutes
• Living room = 30 minutes

Total time: 90 + 60 + 60 + 30 = 240 minutes
240 minutes is 4 hours

If your hourly rate is 30 dollars:

4 hours x 30 = 120 dollars

You can say:

“Based on what you told me, your house cleaning estimate is 120 dollars for the first visit.”

What to say after you give the price

Once you give the estimate, ask:

• “Would you like to schedule your cleaning”

If they seem unsure, you can say:

• “Do you have any questions about what is included”
• “Would you like me to explain what we clean in each room”

Answer their questions in a calm and simple way.

If they are not ready to book, ask:

• “Can I send this estimate to you by email or text so you have it in writing”

This keeps the door open for later.

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How to Give an In Home House Cleaning Estimate

An in home estimate is very similar to the phone estimate, but you visit the house in person.

You might choose an in home estimate if:

• The home is very large
• The customer is asking for special services
• You are just starting your business and want to build trust
• The client asks you to come see the home

What you need for an in home estimate

• Your pricing sheet or calculator
• Pen and paper or tablet
• A simple checklist of rooms and tasks
• Your business card

How to walk through the home

1. Greet the customer and thank them for having you over.
2. Ask them to show you around the home.
3. As you walk through each room, write down the room name and notes like:
   • Very dusty
   • Lots of knick knacks
   • Glass shower
   • Pets on furniture
4. Think about how long each room will take based on what you see.
5. Add up the total time and multiply by your hourly rate.

You can say:

“From what I see, your first deep clean will take about 4 hours. At my rate of 30 dollars per hour, your estimate is 120 dollars.”

Why an in home estimate can help

• The customer gets to meet you face to face
• They may trust you more when you see the home
• You can point out things you will clean that they might not think about
• You can ask about add ons like inside fridge, inside oven, or windows

Be careful with your time. If you drive across town to five in home estimates and only one books, you used a lot of unpaid hours. So in home estimates are best when:

• You are new and want more practice and trust
• The job is big and can turn into a regular client
• The client asks for it and seems serious

You get to decide what makes sense for your business and your family time.

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How to Give a House Cleaning Estimate by Website or Email

A website or email estimate is great for people who do not want to talk on the phone.

You can have a simple “Request an Estimate” form on your website. It can ask for:

• Name
• Email
• Phone
• Address or area of town
• Number of bedrooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Type of service (one time, weekly, bi weekly, monthly)
• How they want to be contacted (email, text, phone)

You can also keep the online form short and then ask more questions later by email. Many people like this because it feels easy. They can fill the form in one minute on their phone.

Steps for a website or email estimate

1. Customer fills out the form or sends you an email.
2. You read their details and write down the rooms.
3. If you need more info, send a short email like:

“Thank you for your estimate request. I just need a little more info to give you a fair price. How many living areas do you have and when was your home last cleaned”

4. When you have enough info, use your pricing sheet or calculator.
5. Email or text the estimate to the customer.

You can write:

“Based on the information you shared, your house cleaning estimate is 120 dollars for the first cleaning. This includes kitchen, bathrooms, living areas and general dusting in the bedrooms. If you would like to schedule, reply to this email with a good day and time.”

This method is helpful because:

• You do not have to answer the phone while you are cleaning
• You avoid phone tag
• You have the estimate in writing
• The customer can read it any time and share it with a partner

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Which Type of House Cleaning Estimate Should You Use

There is no one right answer. The best method is the one that brings in the most good customers and fits your life.

Here are simple pros and cons:

Phone estimates

• Fast
• No driving
• Customers get a price right away

But:

• You cannot see the home
• Some people might forget details or hide how dirty it is

In home estimates

• You see the real work
• You can build trust face to face
• Good for high value long term clients

But:

• You spend time driving
• Some leads will not book
• It can take time away from your family

Website or email estimates

• Great for people who do not want to call
• No phone tag
• You have everything in writing

But:

• Some people do not fill in the form well
• It can take a bit longer to go back and forth by email

Most cleaning business owners end up using a mix:

• Phone estimates for most normal homes
• Website or email estimates for people who prefer online
• In home estimates for big jobs or special requests

The method that brings you the most customers and keeps you happy is the one you should focus on.

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Simple House Cleaning Estimate Checklist

Use this checklist every time you give a house cleaning estimate.

1. Know your hourly rate
2. Ask how many bedrooms and bathrooms
3. Ask about living rooms, dining room, office and extra spaces
4. Ask if this is a first time deep clean or a regular visit
5. Ask if there are pets
6. Ask when it was last cleaned
7. Estimate time for each room
8. Add up total time
9. Multiply by your hourly rate
10. Share the price clearly
11. Explain what is included
12. Ask if they want to schedule
13. Send the estimate in writing by email or text

If you follow this same process every time, you will feel calm, look professional and give fair house cleaning estimates.

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How to Keep Your House Cleaning Estimates Simple and Clear

Here are a few extra tips:

• Use round numbers when you can. Saying “120 dollars” is easier than “118.75 dollars”.
• Speak slowly and clearly. Do not rush through the price.
• Avoid big words. Keep it simple.
• Tell the customer what is included in the price.
• Be honest if a home is very dirty and will cost more.

You can even practice your script out loud. For example:

“Based on your home size and what you told me, your first cleaning will be about 4 hours. At my rate of 30 dollars per hour, your estimate is 120 dollars. This includes kitchen, bathrooms, dusting and floors in all main living areas.”

The more you say it, the easier it becomes.

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FAQ’s

How do I give a house cleaning estimate if I am brand new

Start with a lower hourly rate while you learn. Time yourself when you clean your own home or a friend’s home. See how long each room really takes. Use those times in future estimates. You will get better with practice.

What if my estimate is wrong

It is normal to be off sometimes. If the home takes much longer than you planned, write it down. Use that lesson next time. Over time your estimates will be very close.

Should I give a house cleaning estimate for free

Most cleaning businesses give free estimates. The customer only pays when you clean. The estimate is a way to earn their trust and show your price.

Can I change my price later

Yes, but be clear and kind. If the first visit takes much longer than expected, you can say:

“Your first clean took longer than planned because of extra build up. For future cleanings, the price will be 140 dollars instead of 120. Is that okay with you”

Always explain why and give them a chance to agree.

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In conclusion, learning how to give a house cleaning estimate is one of the most important skills for your cleaning business. When you know your hourly rate, ask the right questions and use a simple system, you can give phone estimates, in home estimates and website or email estimates with confidence. Over time you will feel less nervous, your estimates will be more accurate and your customers will see you as a true professional.