How do I calculate prices for domestic cleaning jobs in the UK?

How pricing works for domestic cleaning in the UK

Pricing domestic cleaning jobs in the UK can feel deceptively simple until you start quoting real homes with real variables: different property sizes, different expectations of “clean,” different access issues, and different supplies and surfaces. The good news is you don’t need a complicated formula to price confidently. You need a consistent method that protects your time, covers your costs, and leaves room for profit—while still sounding clear and fair to your customer.

This guide walks you through practical pricing models used across the UK, the factors that change a quote, and a step-by-step way to calculate rates for one-off cleans, regular cleans, end of tenancy cleans, deep cleans, and add-ons. It’s written for solo cleaners, small cleaning businesses, and anyone scaling from “a few clients” to a predictable diary of work.

And because quoting is only half the job, we’ll also cover how to turn prices into professional invoices quickly. If you want a simple way to create clean, branded invoices and keep track of what you quoted versus what you billed, Invoice24 is built for exactly that—especially for self-employed trades and service businesses that want to look professional without extra admin.

Choose a pricing model that matches the job

Before you calculate the “right” number, decide how you want to charge. The UK domestic cleaning market commonly uses three approaches: hourly pricing, fixed pricing (per job), or a hybrid model (fixed baseline plus hourly for extras). Each has advantages, and the best choice often depends on the type of cleaning and the customer’s expectations.

1) Hourly pricing

Charging by the hour is straightforward: you set an hourly rate, you estimate time, and you bill accordingly. This model is popular for regular domestic cleans where the scope stays fairly consistent week to week. It can also be useful when you’re building confidence and still learning your timings.

However, hourly pricing can create tension if the customer expects a “finished” result rather than a set amount of time. Some customers interpret hourly as “I can keep adding tasks,” which can lead to rushed work or disappointment. If you charge hourly, set clear boundaries about what’s included in the time and what is considered an add-on.

2) Fixed pricing (per job)

Fixed pricing means the customer pays a set amount for a defined outcome. This is common for one-off cleans, deep cleans, end of tenancy cleans, and “moving in” cleans. Customers like it because it’s predictable. You like it because if you get more efficient over time, you keep the benefit instead of earning less for the same quality.

The risk is underquoting if you don’t account for condition, clutter, pets, limescale, mould, or access issues. Fixed pricing needs a good method for scoping and a clear list of what’s included.

3) Hybrid pricing

A hybrid model combines the best of both: you set a fixed baseline for the core clean, and you price additional requests by time or a menu of add-ons. This is ideal when customers request “just a couple of extras” that can easily turn into 45 minutes of work. The hybrid model protects your schedule and keeps your pricing transparent.

For example: a fixed price for a standard clean of the home, plus add-ons for inside the oven, inside fridge, interior windows, and laundry/ironing.

Start with your minimum viable hourly rate

Even if you prefer fixed pricing, you should still calculate your underlying hourly rate. Think of it as your engine. Every quote, package, and add-on ultimately comes back to time.

To get your minimum viable hourly rate, you need to cover:

• Your target personal income (what you want to take home)
• Business costs (supplies, equipment, insurance, marketing, phone, travel, accounting)
• Non-billable time (travel, messaging clients, invoicing, quotes, shopping for supplies)
• Taxes and National Insurance (depending on your structure and income)
• Profit buffer (for replacements, sick days, downtime, growth)

Here’s a practical way to calculate it without getting lost in spreadsheets.

Step-by-step: hourly rate calculation

Step 1: Decide your weekly take-home target.
Example: You want £600/week take-home.

Step 2: Add your weekly business overheads.
Example overheads might include:

• Cleaning supplies and consumables: £25/week
• Insurance: £8/week
• Phone/data: £6/week
• Marketing/leaflets/ads: £10/week
• Equipment replacement buffer: £10/week
• Software/admin (including invoicing): £5/week

Example overhead total: £64/week.

Step 3: Add a cushion for tax/NI.
This varies, but a simple approach is to add a percentage buffer. Many self-employed people set aside 20–30% depending on earnings. Let’s use 25% as an easy planning figure for this example.

Weekly pre-tax equivalent needed (rough planning):
£600 take-home + £64 overhead = £664
Add 25% buffer for tax/NI: £664 × 1.25 = £830 (rounded)

Step 4: Estimate your realistic billable hours.
If you “work” 35 hours a week, you might only bill 20–28 of those once travel, quotes, cancellations, and admin are included. Be honest here. If you’re doing domestic cleaning with travel between properties, 25 billable hours can be a realistic target.

Step 5: Divide.
£830 ÷ 25 billable hours = £33.20/hour

That’s your planning rate to reach your goal at that workload and overhead. If your local market typically supports lower rates, you can adjust by increasing billable hours, reducing overhead, or creating packages that improve efficiency. If you operate in a high-cost city and customers expect premium service, you might price higher.

What matters is this: knowing your “floor” rate helps you avoid pricing that looks busy but leaves you broke.

Understand the variables that change domestic cleaning quotes

Two homes can have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms but take wildly different time to clean. That’s why experienced cleaners don’t price purely by bedrooms. They price by time and complexity, using property size as a starting point.

1) Property size and layout

Square footage matters, but so does layout. Open-plan spaces can be quick to vacuum but slow to detail if there are lots of surfaces. Multiple levels add stairs and extra movement. Narrow hallways, lots of small rooms, or heavy furniture can slow you down.

2) Number of bathrooms and kitchens

Kitchens and bathrooms are usually the “time anchors” of a domestic clean. Limescale, soap scum, grease, and high-touch areas require more product time and detailing. A home with one kitchen and two bathrooms often takes longer than a larger home with one bathroom.

3) Condition and buildup

This is the biggest differentiator. A maintained home on a weekly schedule is predictable. A home that hasn’t been cleaned in months can require a deep clean. Buildup changes the job from “wipe” to “scrub.” If you don’t price for condition, you end up doing deep-clean work for standard-clean money.

4) Clutter and organisation level

Cleaning around clutter increases time and reduces quality. You’re not being “picky” by noting this; you’re protecting your time. Many cleaners have a simple policy: they clean surfaces that are reasonably clear, and decluttering can be added as a separate service charged by time.

5) Pets

Pets can add hair, odour, and extra vacuuming. Some jobs require more frequent filter cleaning, lint rollers, or multiple vacuum passes. If pets are present, consider adding time or an add-on fee, especially for heavy hair.

6) Access, parking, and travel

Travel time is real labour. If you have to park far away, carry equipment upstairs, or manage awkward key collection, the job costs you more time. Some cleaners build travel into their hourly rate; others charge a small travel fee beyond a certain radius.

7) Supplies and equipment

Will you supply products or will the client? Supplying is convenient and can justify a premium, but it has a cost. Many cleaners include standard supplies in their pricing and charge extra for specialist products (e.g., heavy limescale remover, mould treatment, stainless polish) or provide a “client provides” discount.

8) Frequency (regular vs one-off)

Regular cleans are usually cheaper per visit because maintenance takes less time than reset cleaning. One-off cleans need more time and carry higher risk of surprises. Frequency should influence your price.

Build your baseline pricing structure

Once you know your hourly floor rate and the variables that change time, you can create a baseline structure that makes quoting fast. This is where you move from “guessing” to “system.”

Option A: Time-based baseline by property type

Create typical time ranges for common property sizes. For example:

• 1 bed / 1 bath: 2–3 hours (standard clean)
• 2 bed / 1 bath: 2.5–4 hours
• 3 bed / 1–2 bath: 3.5–5.5 hours
• 4 bed / 2 bath: 5–7 hours

These ranges are not promises; they’re starting points. Condition and add-ons adjust them. Multiply your estimated hours by your hourly rate (or team rate) and you have a preliminary price.

Option B: Fixed packages with defined inclusions

Instead of quoting hours, you can package the clean:

• Standard Clean (maintenance): surfaces, floors, kitchen external, bathrooms, dusting, empty bins
• Deep Clean (detail): includes skirting boards, doors/frames, light switches, extra bathroom detail, more kitchen detail
• End of Tenancy: deep clean plus inside cupboards, appliances add-ons as needed, focus on check-out standard

Packages reduce decision fatigue for customers and make your marketing easier. The key is a clear “what’s included” checklist.

How to price a regular weekly or fortnightly clean

Regular domestic cleaning is where many UK cleaners build stable income. The trick is to price it so you can keep delivering quality without feeling underpaid.

Step 1: Decide the scope

Define what a “regular clean” includes. Typical inclusions:

• Vacuum and mop floors
• Dust accessible surfaces
• Clean bathroom(s): toilet, sink, bath/shower, mirrors
• Kitchen: wipe counters, clean hob surface, wipe external cupboard fronts as needed, clean sink, wipe splashback
• Empty bins

Common exclusions (unless added): inside oven, inside fridge, interior windows, washing up, laundry, ironing, deep limescale removal, heavy mould treatment.

Step 2: Estimate time on a first visit

For a new regular client, the first clean often takes longer. Many cleaners do an “initial clean” or “first-time deep clean” at a higher price, then move to a lower maintenance rate.

Example:

• Initial clean: 5 hours × £33/hour = £165
• Ongoing fortnightly clean: 3.5 hours × £33/hour = £115.50

If your market prefers simpler numbers, round to sensible figures (e.g., £165 and £115).

Step 3: Build in reliability and scheduling

Regular slots have value. If you reserve a Tuesday morning for a client, you lose the chance to book a higher-paying one-off. It’s reasonable to price regulars so the slot remains worthwhile.

To protect your income, consider policies like:

• A minimum booking time (e.g., 2 hours)
• A cancellation fee within 24–48 hours
• Clear boundaries on what’s included

These policies are easier to enforce when your paperwork looks professional. Invoice24 helps you create consistent invoices and descriptions of services, so your client sees the scope in writing, not just in a text message.

How to price a one-off clean

One-off cleans usually need a premium compared to regular cleans. They involve more unknowns, more communication, and often more buildup. A one-off can still be “standard,” but you should assume less maintenance unless proven otherwise.

Step-by-step method

1) Start with your standard-clean time estimate.
Use your property-type baseline.

2) Add a one-off premium or extra time buffer.
You can either add an extra hour in the estimate or apply a percentage uplift (for example 10–25%) depending on typical condition in your area.

3) Add travel and supplies if they’re not already built in.
If you travel far or supply specialist materials, reflect that.

4) Add extras explicitly.
Don’t hide oven cleaning in your time estimate. Make it a line item so the customer understands what they’re paying for.

Example one-off quote:

• Standard clean for 2 bed / 1 bath: 3.5 hours
• One-off buffer: +0.5 hours
• Total estimated time: 4 hours
• Price: 4 × £33 = £132
• Add-on: inside oven: £25
• Add-on: inside fridge: £15
• Total: £172

When it’s time to invoice, Invoice24 makes it easy to list those add-ons clearly, which reduces “I thought that was included” confusion. A clear invoice is part of customer service.

How to price a deep clean

A deep clean is not just “a bit extra.” It’s a detail-focused reset where you handle buildup and areas not touched in regular cleans. Deep cleans can take 1.5x to 3x the time of a maintenance clean, depending on condition.

What to include in a deep clean

Inclusions vary, but often involve:

• Skirting boards and edges
• Doors and frames
• Light switches and handles
• More detailed bathroom descaling
• More detailed kitchen degreasing
• Detailed dusting (reachable areas)
• Spot-cleaning marks on paintwork where safe

Deep cleans should have a checklist. It protects you, and it reassures the customer. You can even reuse the same checklist wording in your Invoice24 invoice line items so your paperwork matches the job scope.

Pricing method

Option 1: Multiply regular time estimate.
If regular is 3.5 hours, deep might be 6–8 hours based on condition.

Option 2: Room-by-room time blocks.
Assign time blocks to kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms/living areas.

Example deep clean estimate:

• Kitchen deep clean: 2.5 hours
• Bathroom deep clean: 1.5 hours
• Living areas and bedrooms detailed: 3 hours
• Hallways/stairs: 1 hour
• Total: 8 hours × £33 = £264

If you work with a team of two, you can quote “person-hours” but present it simply: “2 cleaners for 4 hours.” The total labour is still 8 person-hours.

How to price end of tenancy cleaning in the UK

End of tenancy cleans (EOT) are outcome-driven and typically checklist-based. They can be lucrative, but only if priced properly because condition can vary and expectations can be strict. EOT cleans often include inside cupboards, detailed kitchen work, and more extensive bathroom descaling.

Clarify what standard you’re cleaning to

Tenants, landlords, and letting agents may all have different standards. Your quote should define what you will do, not guarantee a deposit outcome (because carpets, damage, and pre-existing issues are out of your control).

Common EOT inclusions

• Kitchen: cupboards (inside/out), external appliances, degreasing surfaces
• Bathroom(s): full descaling where needed, mirrors, fittings
• Floors: vacuum and mop, edge detailing
• Skirting boards, doors, frames
• Interior windows where accessible

Appliance interiors (oven, fridge/freezer, washing machine) are often best priced as add-ons unless you have a standard EOT package that includes them.

Pricing method for EOT

1) Estimate hours based on property size.
EOT times are usually higher than regular times.

2) Add appliance and specialist tasks as line items.
Oven, fridge, extractor filters, balcony/patio, interior windows, heavy limescale.

3) Consider a “condition band.”
Some businesses use three bands:

• Light: well-maintained, minimal buildup
• Standard: average condition, some buildup
• Heavy: significant grease/limescale/clutter, may require extra hours

You can quote a base price with a clear note that heavy buildup may require extra time, agreed before proceeding. This avoids disputes and protects your schedule.

Because EOT cleans often involve agents and paperwork, invoicing matters. Invoice24 helps you generate a professional invoice that looks agent-ready, with clear service descriptions and totals—useful if a tenant needs evidence of professional cleaning.

How to price add-ons and extras

Add-ons are where many cleaners improve profitability without overcomplicating their base rate. They’re also where scope creep tends to happen. A customer might casually ask, “Could you just do the oven too?” That “just” can be an hour of work.

Create a simple add-on menu

Pick common tasks and attach either a flat fee or a time block. Examples include:

• Inside oven clean
• Inside fridge clean
• Inside kitchen cupboards
• Interior windows
• Laundry and ironing
• Bed change
• Balcony/patio sweep and tidy
• Descale shower screen (heavy)