When (and How) to Raise Your Cleaning Prices

Raising your cleaning prices doesn’t mean randomly tacking on $5 or $10 because it feels like time. Your pricing should change when your business changes. If your schedule is full but the money still doesn’t make sense, your rates may be the problem, not your number of clients.

Signs it’s time to raise your rates

• Your experience has grown. You’re faster, more thorough, and better at what you do than when you set your first prices.
• Demand is up. Your calendar is full and you’re turning people away or pushing them out weeks.
• Your workload changed. Clients are asking for more than what you originally quoted.
• Your costs went up. Supplies, gas, insurance, and equipment all cost more than they used to.
• You’re busy but broke. You’re working every day and still not hitting your income goals.

How to raise your prices without losing your good clients

Start with your numbers. Know what each job actually costs you in time, supplies, and travel so your new rate is based on facts, not guesses.

Start new clients at the new rate first. It’s the easiest place to begin, and it shows you right away what the market will pay.

Give your current clients plenty of notice, and tell them the truth. Thank them for their loyalty, let them know when the new rate starts, and remind them of the value they’re getting. The clients who value your work will understand. The ones who only care about price were never going to be your long-term clients anyway.

Price for the business you want

If you’re aiming for six figures, your rates need to support it. Run the numbers in the six-figure math for solo cleaners, and make sure you’re walking every job before you quote it so you’re not underpricing from the start.

And remember, the right clients care about quality. If you’re building a client list from scratch, read how to find the right commercial cleaning clients.

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