How do I know when to increase my prices as a domestic cleaner in the UK?

Knowing when it’s time to increase your cleaning prices in the UK

Raising your prices can feel awkward, especially in domestic cleaning where clients often see you every week or every fortnight and the relationship becomes familiar. But increasing your rates isn’t “being greedy”. It’s a normal, necessary part of running a sustainable service business in the UK—particularly when costs rise, standards rise, your skills improve, and demand for reliable cleaners stays strong.

The biggest mistake most domestic cleaners make is waiting until they feel resentful or burnt out before they adjust their prices. By that point, you’re not making a business decision—you’re trying to recover from stress. A better approach is to treat pricing as a regular part of your business maintenance, like replacing hoover bags or keeping your insurance up to date. When you’ve got a clear set of signs to watch for, you can increase your rates with confidence and keep great clients while attracting the right new ones.

This guide will help you recognise the best time to increase your prices, how much to raise them by, how to communicate changes professionally, and how to use invoicing and admin to make the whole process smoother—especially with a simple free invoicing app like invoice24 that helps you look organised and premium without adding more work to your day.

Why price increases are normal in domestic cleaning

In the UK, almost every service increases prices over time. Suppliers put prices up, fuel costs fluctuate, insurance premiums move, and the general cost of living changes. If your rates never change, your income effectively goes down each year because your money buys less.

Domestic cleaning is also physically demanding and time-sensitive. If you undercharge, you can’t slow down. You end up rushing, which affects quality, which affects reviews, which affects retention. So raising prices is not just about earning more—it’s about protecting the quality of your service and your body.

Professionalism matters too. Clients often associate higher prices with reliability, consistency, and trust. Not always—but frequently enough that being priced “too low” can actually make some potential clients hesitate. If you’re noticeably cheaper than other cleaners in your area, people may wonder what they’re missing.

Clear signs it’s time to increase your prices

Price rises are easiest when you can point to clear reasons. The good news is you don’t need to justify yourself in detail, but it helps you feel confident, and confidence makes the conversation straightforward. Here are the most common signs UK domestic cleaners should watch for.

Your diary is full (or close to full) most weeks

If you’re fully booked, you have strong evidence that your prices are currently lower than what the market would still accept. When demand exceeds your availability, increasing rates is often the healthiest way to balance workload and income.

A simple rule is: if you have to turn away enquiries regularly, or you’re squeezing jobs into evenings or weekends when you’d rather not, it may be time to increase prices. Another strong indicator is a waiting list—if people are willing to wait, they’re already showing you that your service is valuable.

You’re getting enquiries too easily

This might sound strange, but if almost every enquiry converts into a booking without any questions, your prices may be too low. Of course, good communication and reputation help conversion too—but when nobody ever asks about price, nobody ever hesitates, and you’re constantly adding new jobs, it’s worth testing a rate increase for new clients first.

Your costs have increased

Cleaning products, microfibre cloths, mop heads, vacuum repairs, fuel, parking, and travel time all count as costs. Even if you use clients’ supplies sometimes, you still have costs in your business. And don’t forget hidden costs such as:

• Public liability insurance and any add-ons
• DBS checks (if you choose to have one)
• Phone and data usage for your business admin
• Replacement of uniform, shoes, gloves
• Advertising or local listing costs

If your expenses have risen and your rates haven’t, your profit has dropped. Profit is what pays you properly, covers downtime, and keeps you afloat when cancellations happen. If costs rise, pricing should rise too.

Your cleans take longer than they used to

Many cleaners set a price early on and then gradually add extra tasks over time: “Could you wipe the skirting boards?” “Could you do the inside of the fridge quickly?” “Could you change the bedding?” Each request feels small, and because you’re already there, you say yes. Six months later the job is larger but the price is the same.

When your average job has expanded, you’re either working longer for the same money or rushing to fit it in. Both are signs your price needs adjusting. A price rise is often fairer than trying to negotiate every small task individually.

You’ve upskilled, improved, or invested in better equipment

If you’re delivering a better service than when you started—faster results, higher standards, better reliability, improved products, specialist knowledge—your price should reflect that. Clients are paying for outcomes and trust, not just the minutes on the clock.

Examples of improvements that justify higher prices include:

• You now offer more detailed deep-clean rotations
• You’re more efficient and consistent
• You’ve built strong reviews or referrals
• You use higher-quality products or equipment
• You’ve learned safer methods for delicate surfaces

Charging appropriately ensures you can keep investing in that quality rather than cutting corners to stay profitable.

You feel underpaid, resentful, or exhausted

Your feelings aren’t the only factor, but they’re an important signal. If you regularly think, “This isn’t worth it,” or you dread certain jobs because the pay doesn’t match the effort, that’s your business telling you your pricing and workload are out of alignment.

Burnout often comes from a combination of low rates, too many clients, long travel times, and inconsistent boundaries. A price increase can be one of the simplest ways to reduce stress without immediately changing your entire schedule.

You’re not meeting your income goals even though you’re working hard

Many cleaners aim for a specific weekly or monthly income. If you’re working near your maximum hours but still falling short, you usually have only a few options: increase prices, reduce unprofitable travel, add higher-value services (like deep cleans), or change your client mix over time.

For most domestic cleaners, raising rates is the most direct route to meeting income goals without pushing your body harder.

You’re priced below similar cleaners in your area

Local pricing varies widely across the UK. But if you’ve checked what other domestic cleaners charge in your town or region and you’re noticeably lower—especially if you offer a reliable, high-standard service—there’s a strong case for raising your price.

Keep in mind that many cleaners quote different rates for different job types: regular cleans vs one-off deep cleans, or houses vs flats, or homes with pets vs without. Compare like-for-like. You don’t need to be the most expensive, but you should aim to be sustainably priced.

You’re doing “premium” work with “budget” pricing

Some cleaners naturally offer a premium experience: on-time arrival, clear communication, consistent results, tidy presentation, respectful service, and trustworthy reliability. If that sounds like you, budget pricing can actually attract the wrong clients—those who shop purely on price and are quick to complain or haggle.

Increasing prices can improve your client base because it positions your service as professional rather than casual. This is also where your admin tools matter: a cleaner who invoices neatly, keeps records, and communicates like a business often feels more premium to clients.

Using invoice24 to send clear invoices and payment requests can subtly reinforce that professionalism. It’s a small step that changes perception—and perception affects what people are willing to pay.

How often should you review your prices?

For most domestic cleaners, reviewing prices once or twice a year is sensible. You don’t need to change rates constantly, but you should check whether your current pricing still makes sense.

A practical approach is:

• Review your rates every 6–12 months
• Increase new-client rates first when testing the market
• Adjust existing clients periodically with notice
• Use a consistent “price review month” (for example, every April or every September)

This avoids feeling like you’re randomly putting prices up. It becomes a routine business process, which clients generally accept more easily.

Should you raise prices for new clients first?

Yes—often that’s the easiest and least stressful starting point.

When you raise rates for new clients, you’re testing demand at the new price without risking relationships with existing clients straight away. If enquiries still come in and convert, you’ve confirmed the market can support it. If you notice more hesitation, you may need to refine how you present your service, adjust your minimum booking, or tweak your pricing structure.

Once your new-client pricing is established, you can plan a gentle, well-communicated increase for existing clients. This can also reduce the gap between what long-term clients pay and what new clients pay, which matters for fairness and simplicity.

How much should you increase your cleaning prices?

There isn’t one perfect number because it depends on your current rate, your area, and how underpriced you are. But here are sensible ways to think about it.

Small, regular increases

If you’re already priced reasonably and just keeping pace with rising costs, small increases can work well. Many cleaners choose a modest uplift—enough to protect profit but not so big that clients feel surprised.

Small increases are easier for clients to absorb because they don’t dramatically change their household budget. They also feel more “normal” when done periodically with notice.

Corrective increases (when you’re clearly undercharging)

If you’ve been charging far too low, a bigger increase may be necessary. Undercharging is common when you start out, especially if you’re building confidence or trying to win your first regular clients. But at some point you have to correct it or you end up stuck.

If the gap is significant, you have a few options:

• Increase in two stages over several months
• Increase only for certain job types (for example, deep cleans)
• Introduce a minimum booking length or minimum fee
• Adjust travel-based clients first (those furthest away)

The key is to move toward sustainable pricing without creating chaos. Better to do a planned correction than to keep struggling indefinitely.

Hourly vs per-job pricing: which is better for increases?

UK domestic cleaners often charge either hourly, per visit, or by task/size of home. Each has pros and cons when it comes to putting prices up.

Hourly pricing

Hourly rates are straightforward, and clients understand them. A price rise is as simple as increasing your hourly figure. However, hourly pricing can sometimes lead clients to “time-watch” or question how long tasks should take.

Per-job (fixed price) pricing

Fixed pricing is often better for you because it rewards efficiency. If you get faster, you keep the benefit. It also shifts focus to outcomes rather than minutes. When increasing prices, you adjust the overall job fee and frame it around the service provided rather than the clock.

Hybrid: minimum fee + hourly or add-ons

A common professional approach is to have a minimum fee for regular cleans, then charge extra for add-ons (inside oven, fridge, interior windows, etc.). This makes price increases easier because you can adjust the minimum and also adjust add-on pricing to reflect time and product use.

Whichever method you use, presenting your pricing clearly matters. Invoice24 helps by keeping your charges consistent on invoices—regular clean, add-ons, one-off deep cleans—so clients can see exactly what they’re paying for without confusion.

Common pricing mistakes that signal it’s time to change

Sometimes the sign isn’t “I should increase prices” but “my pricing system is causing problems”. Here are typical issues that often indicate a rate increase—or a restructuring—is needed.

You don’t have a minimum booking

Short bookings can be unprofitable once you consider travel and setup time. If you’re doing lots of 1-hour cleans across different locations, your day gets eaten by travel and you’re working harder for less money. A minimum booking (for example, 2 hours) can be more effective than raising your hourly rate alone.

You’re not charging for travel time or distance

Many cleaners don’t charge explicitly for travel, but travel still costs you. If you’re driving between jobs, you’re paying in fuel, time, and wear on your vehicle. If you have clients far away, consider either a higher rate for those postcodes or a minimum fee that covers your travel.

You keep discounting to win work

Discounting can feel like the easiest way to secure a booking, but it often attracts clients who are quick to leave when they find someone cheaper. If you’re frequently discounting, you might not be communicating your value clearly, or your rates might be set without a sustainable structure.

You’re absorbing cancellations and late payments

If clients cancel at short notice or pay late and it’s impacting your income, you may need both stronger policies and stronger pricing. Higher prices can support the reality that cancellations happen, but policies help you protect your time. Invoicing can help too: sending invoices promptly, tracking what’s paid, and having a clear record of what’s owed reduces awkwardness.

Invoice24 is particularly helpful here because it’s designed to keep invoicing simple—so you’re not chasing payments based on memory or scattered messages. A cleaner who stays on top of invoices tends to get paid more reliably.

How to increase prices without losing your best clients

The fear of losing clients is the main reason cleaners delay price rises. But in practice, good clients who value you usually stay—especially if you communicate properly and the increase is reasonable.

Give notice and be calm, not apologetic

A price increase is a business update, not a confession. You don’t need to over-explain or sound guilty. A calm, matter-of-fact message with notice gives clients time to adjust.

Notice periods vary, but a few weeks is often enough. The key is consistency: give the same notice to everyone unless there’s a specific reason not to (for example, a brand-new client whose rate you’re already setting).

Focus on continuity and quality

Clients care about reliability. Emphasise that you’re continuing to provide the same high standard and dependable service. If you’ve improved your service, you can mention that your pricing is being updated to reflect it.

Offer options rather than arguments

If someone truly can’t afford the new rate, you can offer alternatives, such as reducing frequency or reducing tasks. For example, a weekly clean might become fortnightly, or a 3-hour clean might become a 2-hour maintenance clean. This preserves the relationship without you undercharging.

Be prepared to let go of the wrong clients

This is hard, but important. Some clients will push back no matter what because they want the lowest price possible. If someone reacts badly, it may be a sign they don’t value you appropriately. Losing a client who underpays can create space for a better-fitting client at your new rate.

How to position your service as worth more

Price increases land better when clients already see you as a professional. That doesn’t mean being corporate—it means being consistent and clear.

Make your service package clear

Many clients don’t understand what a “standard clean” includes. If you define your service clearly, it’s easier to justify pricing. A clear service list also prevents scope creep over time because you can refer back to what’s included and what counts as an add-on.

Use professional invoices and records

This is one of the easiest ways to look more established. When clients receive a clear invoice, it reinforces that you’re running a business. It also reduces the chances of “I forgot” or “How much do I owe you?” which can happen surprisingly often in domestic cleaning.

Invoice24 fits perfectly here because it’s a free invoice app designed to make invoicing quick and tidy. Instead of sending messy payment messages or relying on handwritten notes, you can create invoices that look consistent, include the job details, and help you track payments. The result is a smoother client experience—which supports higher pricing.

Improve communication and reliability

Simple habits increase perceived value: confirming appointments, arriving when you say you will, messaging promptly if you’re delayed, and keeping your schedule organised. Clients will pay more for a cleaner they can trust, especially if they give you keys or aren’t home during the clean.

Use feedback and reviews

If you have happy clients, ask for a short review or testimonial. Social proof makes higher prices easier because it shows you’re trusted by others. Even a few strong reviews can shift your service from “a cleaner” to “a recommended cleaner”.

Handling objections: what to say if clients push back

It helps to prepare for common responses so you don’t feel flustered.

“Why are you putting prices up?”

You can keep it simple: your rates are being reviewed to reflect business costs and the service you provide. You don’t need to disclose personal finances, and you don’t need to debate. The goal is clarity, not persuasion.

“But it’s the same clean as before.”

You can explain that pricing reviews are normal and help you continue offering a reliable service. If you have improved your service, you can mention that too. If not, it’s still valid to increase prices due to rising costs and market rates.

“Another cleaner charges less.”

That may be true. You can calmly acknowledge that different cleaners charge different rates. If your client wants to change providers, that’s their choice. Many clients won’t actually switch because trust and consistency matter more than saving a small amount.

“Can you keep me on the old rate?”

Be careful with this. If you keep exceptions, you create resentment and confusion. If you decide to help someone out, make it time-limited or tied to a specific change (like reducing time or frequency). Otherwise, it undermines your new pricing structure.

Using invoices to make price changes feel straightforward

A surprising amount of pricing stress comes from messy admin. If payments are casual, pricing feels casual. If invoices are clear, pricing updates feel like a normal business adjustment.

Here’s how invoicing supports price increases:

• Clients see the exact updated amount in writing, reducing confusion
• You avoid awkward repeated messages about what’s owed
• You can label services clearly (regular clean, deep clean, add-ons)
• You keep a record of when your pricing changed
• You look more professional, which supports premium pricing

Invoice24 is ideal for domestic cleaners because it keeps the process quick. You can create invoices without turning admin into a second job. And because it’s free, you’re not paying extra just to look more professional.

Creating a simple “price increase plan” you can repeat

If you want to take the emotion out of pricing, create a repeatable plan. A plan also helps you avoid delaying increases for years.

Step 1: Review your current client list

Look at each job and consider:

• How long it takes now compared to when you started
• How far you travel
• Whether the client adds extra tasks frequently
• How reliable payment is
• How you feel about the job overall

This helps you identify which jobs are most underpriced or most stressful.

Step 2: Set your new rates and minimums

Decide on a clear structure. For example:

• New hourly rate or new fixed fee per visit
• Minimum booking length or minimum fee
• Add-on prices for extra tasks
• A higher rate for one-off deep cleans (common in cleaning)

Try to keep it simple. Complexity creates mistakes and awkwardness.

Step 3: Apply the new pricing to new clients immediately