How much to charge for house cleaning
How the calculator works
Most pricing advice starts from "what others charge". That's useful for a sanity check, but it doesn't tell you whether you make money. This calculator works the other way: it starts from what the job costs you.
1. Your pay
Hours on the job × the hourly pay you want. Time your first few cleans honestly; new cleaners usually underestimate.
2. Self-employment tax
As a self-employed cleaner you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare: 15.3%[1], on 92.35% of your net earnings, once they reach $400 a year.[2] The calculator adds enough so that, after this tax, you still keep the pay you entered. Income tax is extra and depends on your situation; the IRS explains estimated tax payments.
3. Supplies and driving
Driving is a real cost: fuel, wear, insurance. The IRS business mileage rate for 2026 is 76¢ a mile for driving on or after July 1, 2026, and 72.5¢ before that.[3] It's a good estimate of the true cost per mile, and it's also the number you can use to deduct business miles, so log them.
4. Monthly costs and buffer
Insurance, your phone, booking software and marketing get spread over all your cleans. The buffer covers cancellations, slow weeks and the profit the business needs to grow.
A worked example
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 3 hours × $25 pay | $75.00 |
| Self-employment tax so you still keep $75 (75 ÷ (1 − 0.1413) − 75) | $12.34 |
| Supplies | $8.00 |
| 20 miles × $0.76 | $15.20 |
| $200 monthly costs ÷ 40 cleans | $5.00 |
| Cost of the job | $115.54 |
| 15% buffer (115.54 ÷ 0.85) | $20.39 |
| Price per clean | $135.93 (about $45 per hour on the job) |
The example inputs are illustrative, not a market rate. Use your own time and costs.
Then check it against your market
Look up three or four local cleaning services, or call for a quote on a home like the ones you'll clean. If your number is far below theirs, you're leaving money on the table. If it's far above, look at your hours and driving first, or offer a narrower service.
Common ways to price
| Method | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Flat price per clean | Recurring home cleans; clients like a fixed number | Do a walkthrough first; price the first clean higher if the home hasn't been cleaned in a while |
| Hourly | Unpredictable jobs, deep cleans, organizing | Clients may worry about the clock; give an estimate range |
| By square foot | Offices and commercial contracts | Measure yourself; frequency and floor types change the time a lot |
Free: the Cleaning Business Starter Kit
A one-page launch checklist and a room-by-room cleaning checklist you can hand to clients. PDF, no signup needed.
Questions people ask
How much should I charge for house cleaning as a beginner?
Start from your costs: your time × the pay you want, plus self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings[1]), supplies, driving and overhead, then add a buffer. Compare the result with local cleaners.
What mileage rate should I use for cleaning jobs in 2026?
The IRS business rate is 76 cents a mile for driving on or after July 1, 2026, and 72.5 cents before July 1.[2]
Should I charge by the hour or a flat rate?
Flat rates suit recurring home cleans; hourly suits unpredictable deep cleans; square-foot pricing suits commercial work. Whichever you choose, base it on the time the job really takes you.