How to Quote a Cleaning Job — Module 1

Be Honest With Yourself

How did you come up with your last quote? Did you work it out properly — costs, time, overheads, profit margin — or did you go with a number that felt about right? Maybe you looked at what a competitor charges and came in slightly lower to win the job.

If any of that sounds familiar, you are not alone. The majority of cleaning businesses — especially in the early years — price by instinct rather than by calculation. And it is costing them far more than they realise.

The Costs You Are Probably Forgetting

When most cleaners think about what a job costs them, they think about their time and their chemicals. But the true cost of delivering a cleaning job includes much more than that.

• Travel time and fuel — getting to and from the job costs you time and money, even if you do not charge for it
• Equipment wear and replacement — machines, mops, cloths, and vacuums all have a cost per use
• Insurance — public liability, employers liability, and equipment cover all need to be factored in
• Unpaid admin time — quoting, invoicing, chasing payments, and scheduling are all working hours
• Tax — your take-home is not your turnover. Many self-employed cleaners forget to account for National Insurance and income tax
• Your own wage — if you are not paying yourself a proper hourly rate, you are not running a business. You are running a very expensive hobby.

The Race to the Bottom

Pricing low to win work feels like a smart strategy when you are starting out. But it creates a trap that is very hard to escape. Low prices attract price-sensitive clients who will leave the moment someone cheaper comes along. They do not value your work — they value the price. You end up working harder for less, with no room to invest in better equipment, training, or growth.

The cleaners who build sustainable, profitable businesses are not the cheapest. They are the ones who know exactly what their work is worth — and charge accordingly.