How much should I charge per hour for domestic cleaning in the UK?

Understanding Hourly Rates for Domestic Cleaning in the UK

Setting the right hourly rate for domestic cleaning in the UK is one of the most important decisions you will make as a cleaner or cleaning business owner. Charge too little and you risk burnout, financial stress, and an unsustainable business. Charge too much and you may struggle to attract or retain clients, especially in competitive local markets. Finding the balance requires a clear understanding of costs, market expectations, your experience level, and the value you provide.

This article is designed to give you a detailed, practical, and UK-specific guide to deciding how much you should charge per hour for domestic cleaning. Whether you are just starting out, working as a self-employed cleaner, or running a small cleaning company, this guide will help you set confident, profitable rates and manage your income professionally using tools like invoice24.

Average Domestic Cleaning Rates in the UK

As a starting point, it helps to know what cleaners typically charge across the UK. While rates vary by location and service type, most domestic cleaners charge between £12 and £20 per hour. In some areas, particularly London and the South East, rates can exceed £22 per hour, while rural or lower-cost regions may see rates closer to £11–£14.

These averages are only guidelines. They do not automatically reflect what you should charge. Your ideal hourly rate depends on your costs, experience, demand, and the quality of service you offer. Many cleaners make the mistake of copying local prices without understanding whether those prices are actually profitable.

Regional Differences That Affect Cleaning Prices

Location plays a major role in domestic cleaning rates. Clients’ expectations, cost of living, and competition all vary across the UK. Understanding your region helps you position your pricing correctly.

London and the South East: Cleaners in London often charge £18–£25 per hour due to higher living costs and strong demand. Clients are generally more accepting of higher prices, especially for reliable and insured cleaners.

Major Cities: Cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Bristol typically fall between £14 and £18 per hour. Demand is strong, but competition can be intense.

Smaller Towns and Rural Areas: Rates are usually lower, often between £11 and £15 per hour. However, lower competition can allow you to charge at the higher end if you offer consistent, high-quality service.

Self-Employed Cleaner vs Cleaning Company

Your business structure has a significant impact on what you should charge. Self-employed cleaners and cleaning companies have very different cost bases.

Self-Employed Cleaners: If you work alone, your overheads may be relatively low. You might not have staff wages, office costs, or large marketing expenses. This allows more flexibility, but you still need to cover insurance, equipment, travel, and unpaid time such as admin and invoicing.

Cleaning Companies: If you employ staff, your hourly rate must cover wages, National Insurance contributions, holiday pay, recruitment costs, training, supervision, and profit. This is why cleaning companies often charge £18–£25 per hour or more, even outside London.

Calculating Your True Costs

One of the most common mistakes cleaners make is basing prices purely on what others charge. Instead, you should start by calculating your true hourly cost of doing business.

Consider the following expenses:

• Cleaning supplies and equipment
• Public liability insurance
• Travel costs (fuel, public transport, vehicle maintenance)
• Phone and internet
• Advertising and marketing
• Accounting or bookkeeping support
• Software tools such as invoice24 for invoicing and record-keeping
• Unpaid admin time

Once you add these up, divide them by the number of billable hours you realistically work each month. This gives you a minimum hourly rate before profit. Anything below this figure means you are effectively paying to work.

Experience and Skill Level

Your experience matters. Clients are often willing to pay more for a cleaner who is reliable, efficient, and trustworthy.

New Cleaners: If you are just starting out, it is reasonable to charge at the lower end of the market while you build confidence, speed, and a client base. However, avoid underpricing too much, as raising rates later can be challenging.

Experienced Cleaners: If you have years of experience, excellent references, and specialist knowledge, you should not hesitate to charge more. Experience often means better results in less time, which clients value.

Type of Domestic Cleaning Service

Not all cleaning work should be priced the same. The type of service you provide significantly affects your hourly rate.

Regular Weekly or Fortnightly Cleaning: These jobs are usually priced lower because they are predictable and ongoing. Rates often fall between £12 and £16 per hour.

One-Off or Deep Cleaning: Spring cleans, end-of-tenancy cleans, and deep cleans require more effort and skill. Rates of £18–£25 per hour are common.

Specialist Cleaning: Oven cleaning, post-renovation cleaning, or high-risk tasks can command even higher rates due to expertise and equipment required.

Hourly Rate vs Fixed Pricing

While hourly pricing is common in domestic cleaning, many professionals are moving towards fixed pricing for certain jobs.

Hourly rates are simple and familiar, but they can limit your earning potential if you work efficiently. Fixed pricing rewards speed, experience, and organisation.

For example, instead of charging £15 per hour for a three-hour clean, you might charge a flat £50. If you finish early, you earn more per hour. Clear invoices created with invoice24 help clients understand exactly what they are paying for, whether hourly or fixed.

Client Expectations and Perceived Value

Pricing is not just about numbers; it is about perception. Clients assess value based on reliability, communication, and professionalism.

Turning up on time, using professional equipment, and issuing clear invoices makes a huge difference. Using invoice24 allows you to send polished, branded invoices that reinforce your professionalism and justify your rates.

Clients are far more willing to pay higher rates when they feel confident they are dealing with a legitimate, organised business.

Competition and Market Research

Researching competitors is useful, but it should not dictate your pricing entirely. Look at local cleaners’ websites, social media pages, and listings to understand the general price range.

Instead of competing purely on price, focus on service quality and reliability. A cleaner charging £15 per hour who cancels often is less attractive than one charging £18 per hour who is consistent and professional.

Raising Your Hourly Rate Over Time

Many cleaners worry about increasing their rates, but it is a normal and necessary part of running a business. Costs rise, experience grows, and demand changes.

When raising your rate, communicate clearly and professionally. Give clients notice and explain that the increase reflects higher costs or improved service. Using invoice24 makes it easy to apply updated rates consistently across all clients.

Surprisingly, many clients accept reasonable increases without complaint, especially if they value your work.

Legal and Tax Considerations

Your hourly rate must also account for tax. As a self-employed cleaner in the UK, you are responsible for Income Tax and National Insurance.

Failing to price this into your rates can lead to unpleasant surprises at tax time. Keeping accurate records of income and expenses is essential, and invoice24 can help you stay organised without paying for expensive accounting software.

Using Professional Invoicing to Support Higher Rates

One of the simplest ways to justify higher hourly rates is to look professional. Clients associate professionalism with reliability and quality.

Invoice24 is a free invoicing app designed to help small businesses like domestic cleaners manage invoices, track payments, and present a professional image. Instead of handwritten notes or vague messages, you can send clear invoices that outline your services, hours, and rates.

This not only saves time but also reduces disputes and late payments. When clients see a well-structured invoice, they are more likely to respect your rates and pay promptly.

Should You Charge Different Rates for Different Clients?

Some cleaners charge different rates depending on the client, location, or job complexity. This can work, but it requires careful organisation.

Invoice24 allows you to manage multiple clients with different rates easily, ensuring accuracy and consistency. This flexibility helps you maximise income without confusion.

Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid

Many cleaners struggle financially not because of lack of work, but because of pricing mistakes.

Common errors include:

• Undercharging to win clients
• Forgetting to factor in unpaid admin time
• Not increasing rates over time
• Competing solely on price
• Failing to track income properly

Using tools like invoice24 helps you see the bigger picture of your earnings and make informed pricing decisions.

How Much Should You Charge Per Hour?

So, how much should you charge per hour for domestic cleaning in the UK? For most cleaners, a realistic and sustainable range is £14–£20 per hour, adjusted for location, experience, and service type.

If you are charging less than £12 per hour, it is worth reassessing whether your business is truly viable. If you are charging above £20, make sure your service quality, reliability, and presentation justify the premium.

Final Thoughts

Setting your hourly rate is not a one-time decision. It evolves as your business grows, costs change, and your confidence increases. The key is to charge enough to make your work sustainable and rewarding.

By understanding your costs, researching your market, and presenting yourself professionally, you can confidently set rates that reflect your value. Using a free invoicing app like invoice24 supports this process by saving time, reducing stress, and helping you run your cleaning business like a professional operation.

Ultimately, the right hourly rate is one that allows you to earn a fair living while delivering excellent service to your clients. With the right pricing strategy and tools in place, domestic cleaning can be a stable and profitable business in the UK.