A cleaning quote that wins the job is specific, easy to read, and tells the client exactly what they’re getting. A vague quote — “house cleaning, $X” — invites comparison shopping on price alone. A detailed quote justifies your rate, sets clear expectations, and positions you as a professional the client can trust. Here’s how to write one that does all of that.
Before you quote: information you need first
Never quote a cleaning job without knowing:
- The property address and type (house, apartment, office)
- Square footage (or number of rooms for residential)
- Current condition (maintained, needs a deep clean, post-construction)
- Service type requested (regular maintenance, deep clean, move-out/move-in)
- Frequency (one-time, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly)
- Any special requirements (pets, allergies, specific products, access times)
For residential jobs over a certain size, an in-person walkthrough before quoting protects you from underquoting a property with hidden complexity. A one-line email quote for a property you haven’t seen is a risk.
How to price a cleaning quote
There are two main approaches for residential and commercial cleaning:
By square footage
Used for most recurring residential and commercial accounts. Straightforward and easy to explain to clients.
Residential rates (2026 averages, vary by market):
- Regular clean: $0.08–$0.15 per sq ft
- Deep clean: $0.15–$0.25 per sq ft
- Move-out clean: $0.20–$0.35 per sq ft
Example: 1,200 sq ft apartment, bi-weekly regular clean at $0.12/sq ft = $144 per visit.
By hourly rate
Used for post-construction cleans, irregular commercial accounts, or jobs where the scope is genuinely unpredictable. Set a “not to exceed” total in your quote so the client knows their maximum exposure.
Example: Post-renovation clean, estimated 8–10 hours at $45/hour. Not to exceed $500 without approval.
By room count
Common for small residential businesses pricing simple jobs without measuring:
- Bedroom: $20–$35 each
- Bathroom: $30–$50 each
- Kitchen: $50–$90
- Living room: $25–$40
This approach is less precise but works for standardized offerings with clear scope.
Price by the job, not by the hour, for regular cleaning clients. Clients who pay by the hour will watch the clock and second-guess speed. Clients who pay by the job focus on the result. Job pricing also lets you become more profitable as you get faster — your rate stays the same while your time investment drops.
What to include in a cleaning service quotation
Header
- Your business name, logo, phone, email, website
- Client name and service address
- Quote number and date
- Quote valid until (typically 14–30 days)
Service description
Name the type of service clearly: “Bi-Weekly Residential Regular Clean” or “One-Time Commercial Deep Clean.” This becomes the reference for what’s included.
Then list the scope specifically:
“Covers: all bedrooms (3), bathrooms (2), kitchen, dining room, living room, hallways. Includes: vacuuming, mopping, surface wipe-down, bathroom sanitization, kitchen surfaces and appliances (exterior). Does not include: inside refrigerator, inside oven, laundry, window washing, or garage.”
Pricing section
| Service | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-weekly regular clean | 1,500 sq ft / 3 bed, 2 bath | $165 per visit |
| Inside oven (add-on) | Optional | $35 |
| Inside refrigerator (add-on) | Optional | $30 |
| Interior windows (add-on) | Per window | $8/window |
Frequency discount (where applicable):
| Frequency | Price per visit |
|---|---|
| Weekly | $145 |
| Bi-weekly | $165 |
| Monthly | $195 |
| One-time | $220 |
Total and payment terms
List the price per visit, any add-ons selected, and total for first visit if a deep clean is required before starting a recurring plan.
Payment terms example: “Payment due within 24 hours of service completion. Accepted via cash, check, Zelle, or Venmo. A $25 late fee applies after 48 hours.”
For recurring accounts: “First visit due on completion. Subsequent invoices sent weekly/bi-weekly/monthly and due within 3 business days.”
Cancellation policy
Include your cancellation terms on the quote. “Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice will be charged 50% of the service fee.” This protects you from last-minute cancellations that leave you with no revenue and a blocked schedule.
Acceptance
Clear instruction for how to accept: “To confirm this service, please reply to this email or sign below. We’ll reach out to schedule your first visit within 24 hours of acceptance.”
Residential vs. commercial quote differences
Residential quotes are usually shorter and more personal. The client wants to know who’s coming to their home, what products you use, and whether you bring your own equipment. Add a brief line about your cleaning products and process.
Commercial quotes typically require more formality. Include your business registration or license number, proof of insurance, and any certifications (bonded, OSHA-compliant, etc.). Commercial clients often need to route the quote through an approval process — make it easy to forward and approve internally.
Free cleaning service quotation template
[YOUR LOGO / BUSINESS NAME]
CLEANING SERVICE QUOTATION
Business: [Name, phone, email, website]
Client: [Name, address, email, phone]
Quote #: [Q-YEAR-NUMBER]
Date: [Date]
Valid until: [Expiry date]
---
SERVICE DETAILS
Service type: [Regular / Deep / Move-out clean]
Property: [Address]
Size: [Sq footage / room count]
Frequency: [One-time / Weekly / Bi-weekly / Monthly]
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- [Room types, surfaces, tasks]
- [Any specific inclusions]
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- [Exclusions]
---
PRICING
[Service name]: $[price] per visit
Optional add-ons:
- [Add-on 1]: $[price]
- [Add-on 2]: $[price]
TOTAL PER VISIT: $[total]
(First visit deep-clean fee, if applicable: $[fee])
---
PAYMENT TERMS
Payment due: [On completion / within X days]
Accepted via: [Methods]
Cancellation policy: [48-hour notice required / fee applies]
---
ACCEPTANCE
To confirm this quote: [reply / sign below / click link]
Signature: ___________________ Date: ____________Common mistakes on cleaning quotes
Quoting without seeing the property. A photo or video walkthrough at minimum — quoting from an address alone leads to underquoted jobs and unhappy clients.
Not listing exclusions. Clients assume “house cleaning” means everything. Specify what’s not in scope — inside appliances, laundry, garages — so there are no surprises.
No cancellation policy. Cleaning businesses get burned by last-minute cancellations. Put your policy in the quote, not in a separate conversation after the booking.
Not differentiating regular vs. deep clean pricing. Many new clients need a deep clean first. Quote the initial deep clean separately from the recurring maintenance price. If you don’t, you’re absorbing the extra work for free.
Generic, unpersonalized quotes. A quote that addresses the specific property (“your 3-bedroom home at [address]”) wins over a generic template that feels mass-produced.
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