How to price any cleaning job in 2026 — residential, commercial, move-out, and Airbnb. Includes calculators, rate benchmarks, and Good/Better/Best pricing strategies.
This comprehensive cleaning pricing guide covers everything cleaning business owners need to set profitable rates for residential house cleaning, commercial janitorial contracts, deep cleaning, move-out cleaning, Airbnb turnovers, carpet cleaning, and more. All pricing data is based on real market rates from cleaning businesses across the United States in 2026.
Standard house cleaning typically costs $100–$200 for a 1,000–2,000 sq ft home with 2–3 bedrooms. Prices vary by region, cleaning frequency, and service type. Weekly recurring clients often receive a 10–20% discount compared to one-time cleanings. Hourly rates for house cleaning run $25–$50 per cleaner per hour, though flat-rate pricing by square footage is more common for established businesses.
| Home Size | Standard Clean | Deep Clean | Move-Out Clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom / 500–800 sq ft | $80–$120 | $140–$200 | $175–$250 |
| 2 Bedrooms / 900–1,200 sq ft | $100–$150 | $175–$250 | $220–$325 |
| 3 Bedrooms / 1,300–1,800 sq ft | $130–$200 | $220–$320 | $280–$400 |
| 4 Bedrooms / 1,900–2,500 sq ft | $170–$260 | $280–$400 | $350–$500 |
| 5+ Bedrooms / 2,600+ sq ft | $220–$350+ | $360–$520+ | $450–$650+ |
Deep cleaning costs 40–70% more than a standard clean due to additional scrubbing, detail work, and time required. A deep clean on a 3-bedroom home typically runs $220–$320. Deep cleans are recommended for first-time clients, homes that haven't been cleaned in 3+ months, or properties preparing for sale or rental. Include inside appliances, baseboards, ceiling fans, window sills, and cabinet interiors in your deep clean scope.
Commercial cleaning is typically priced by square footage at $0.05–$0.25 per sq ft depending on facility type, cleaning frequency, and service scope. Office cleaning runs $0.07–$0.15/sq ft. Medical offices require $0.12–$0.25/sq ft due to sanitation requirements. School and educational facilities average $0.08–$0.15/sq ft. Retail spaces average $0.06–$0.12/sq ft. Monthly contract minimums for commercial accounts typically start at $500–$800.
Move-out cleaning runs 50–100% more than a standard clean because every surface must be cleaned to tenant handover or landlord standards. A 3-bedroom move-out clean averages $280–$400. Factor in the condition of the property — add 25–50% for heavily soiled units. Always inspect before quoting or include a condition clause in your estimate.
Solo cleaning operators typically achieve 50–70% gross profit margins before overhead. When adding employees, target gross margins of 35–55% after labor costs. Net profit margins (after all overhead, insurance, marketing, and equipment) typically run 15–30% for well-run cleaning businesses. Use the cleaning profit margin calculator to analyze your specific numbers.