What to include in a cleaning estimate
Cleaning customers mostly want to know two things: exactly what you will clean, and what it costs per visit. A clear estimate answers both:
- Your business details: name, phone, email, and whether you are insured or bonded.
- Customer name and address.
- Type of cleaning: standard, deep, move-in or move-out, post-construction, or office.
- Size of the space: square feet, or number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
- What is included, room by room or as a checklist.
- Add-ons, each on its own line: inside oven, fridge, cabinets, interior windows, laundry.
- Frequency and price per visit for recurring service: weekly, every two weeks or monthly.
- Supplies: whether you bring them or use the customer's.
- Policies: cancellation notice, pets, access and keys.
- The total and how long the estimate is valid.
How to price cleaning jobs
- Flat price per visit, based on bedrooms, bathrooms and condition. Easiest for homeowners to understand.
- Hourly per cleaner: useful when the condition is unknown. Show the estimated hours and the number of cleaners.
- Per square foot: common for offices, commercial spaces and post-construction cleans.
Whatever method you use, check it against your costs: estimated labor hours times what each hour really costs you, plus supplies, travel time and profit. A first clean usually takes longer than a regular visit, so many cleaners price it as a deep clean and then offer a lower recurring rate. The price list in the tool above uses example US prices. Replace them with your own.
Example: move-out cleaning estimate
| Item | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in / move-out cleaning | 1 | $350.00 |
| Inside oven | 1 | $40.00 |
| Inside fridge | 1 | $40.00 |
| Inside kitchen cabinets | 1 | $50.00 |
| Interior windows (per window) | 12 | $96.00 |
| Total | $576.00 |
These numbers are only an example. Real prices depend on the size and condition of the home and your area.
Pricing recurring cleaning
Regular customers are the backbone of a cleaning business. Many cleaners charge less per visit for weekly or every-two-weeks service than for monthly or one-time cleans, because a home cleaned often takes less time. Put the per-visit price and the frequency on the estimate so the customer can compare options.
Estimate vs. quote vs. invoice
An estimate fits when you have not seen the space, or the condition could change the time needed. A quote fixes the price per visit, often for a recurring service or an office contract. An invoice is the bill after the visit or at the end of the month. The tool above switches between all three without retyping.
Tips to win more cleaning clients
- Ask for photos or a short video to estimate without a visit.
- Attach your checklist so customers see exactly what they get.
- Offer a recurring option on every one-time estimate.
- Reply the same day. People looking for a cleaner usually book the first good answer.
Frequently asked questions
Is this cleaning estimate template free?
Yes. Make and download as many estimates as you like. Free PDFs include a small line at the bottom saying they were made with QuoteToolbelt.
Do I need to sign up?
No. Your business details are saved in your own browser on this device only, and nothing is uploaded.
How do I price cleaning by square foot?
Pick a per-square-foot line from the price list, such as "House cleaning (per sq ft)" or "Commercial cleaning (per sq ft)", and enter the square footage as the quantity.
Can I add extras like oven or window cleaning?
Yes. The price list includes common add-ons such as inside oven, fridge, cabinets, interior windows, laundry and baseboards. Each appears as its own line.
Should cleaners ask for a deposit?
Most regular house cleaning does not need one. For large jobs such as post-construction cleans, you can set a deposit percentage under Totals.