How much is a fair price to charge for house cleaning service? 10 points to best answer!!!

Question

I have a client who lives 45 minutes away, so with today's gas prices, I want to make sure that it would be worth my time to travel. But I also want to be fair to the client. So what is a fair amount to charge? Should I charge hourly? or per house? and how many hours should I work?

Answer 1

Don't know about the US, but here in the UK, most house clearance firms will view the house before giving an estimate.

If the items there removing are worth something then the estimates are low. if what there removing is scrap then the estimates are higher.

Answer 2

I would say $50 dollars a day.  Unless there is just a huge amount of chores to be done.  Maybe $75 in that case.

Answer 3

Depends on area.Here in Tricities TN houses run from $30 to $50.Two people cleaning from 1 hour to 21/2 hour.Houses have the worst profit margin.Customers can be bitchy,or like Doctor's homes nasty.

Commercial accounts are safer bet.  

Answer 4

First, I kind of agree with Doc.

Now, I'm confused, you have a client but you've never been there?  Sounds like she contacted you and is waiting for a bid/price.  You have to wonder why and why she'd choose someone so far away.

I would begin by setting up an appointment to go and see her home and what she expects you to do and give a bid/price.  Otherwise, basing your pricing solely on what she tells you over the phone is very risky.

If you have no hesitation about the cleaning job after that, give her an estimate based on your normal pricing.  BUT, everyone now charges for travel time and that needs to be discussed.  I would not charge it as an hourly, but maybe by the mile...like truckers do.  They now charge something like $1.50-$1.75 per mile.

Let her decide if it's worth it to her, because without that additional charge, it's not worth your time-and time is money!  That being said, you may also see if she will recruit a neighbor or two to use your services on the same day, thus making it worth your while.  

And, because of the distance, I would make sure you get either a contract signed or, at least, everything in writing-with her signature.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Per house, not per hour.  I think what you charge would greatly depend on where you live.  Some places are more expensive to live than others.