CLEANERS · PAYMENT LINKS
Cleaner Pricing and Rates Guide (UK)
A clear, practical UK guide to setting fair cleaning prices, choosing hourly or fixed rates and using deposits and payment links so your income feels stable, not stressful.
One of the most stressful parts of running a cleaning business is deciding what to charge. You want to be fair, you do not want to scare people off, but you also cannot afford to undercharge and feel resentful every time you pick up a mop. When prices are random or guessed, your income feels just as shaky.
The good news is that cleaner pricing does not need to be a mystery. With a simple structure for hourly rates, per visit prices, deposits and balances, you can create a pricing system that feels fair to clients and sustainable for you. That system then feeds into how you send payment links, take deposits and handle late payments.
This guide walks you through how UK cleaners typically set prices, realistic ranges for common jobs and a step by step process you can use to set or update your own rates. It is part of the Cleaners Payment Links series and works best alongside the other guides on how cleaners get paid, deposits and reducing cancellations.
Part of the Cleaners Payment Links Guide Series
For the full picture of how your prices connect with deposits, reminders and payment links, start with the main pillar guide: Payment Links for Cleaners: Complete UK Guide .
How UK Cleaners Typically Charge for Their Work
Most UK domestic cleaners use some mix of hourly rates and fixed prices. The key is to understand the common models, then pick the ones that match your style of work, your area and the types of clients you want.
Common pricing models
- Hourly rate – client pays for the time you are there, often used for regular weekly or fortnightly cleans.
- Per visit price – a fixed amount per clean, helpful when the time is similar each visit.
- Per job price – for one off work like deep cleans or end of tenancy where you price the whole job.
- Extras menu – set add on prices for ovens, inside windows, inside fridge and so on.
Typical UK ranges (rough guide, not rules)
- Regular domestic cleaning often falls somewhere between £14 and £20 per hour depending on area, experience and whether you supply products.
- A typical 2 to 3 hour fortnightly clean might be priced around £30 to £60 per visit .
- One off deep cleans commonly range from £120 to £250+ depending on size and condition.
- End of tenancy or move out cleans often sit in the £180 to £400+ range for full property cleans.
Comparing the main pricing options
| Model | Best for | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Regular weekly or fortnightly domestic clients where time is predictable. | Feels fair. Easy to explain. Adjusts naturally if jobs take longer. | Clients may question time spent. You still need clear arrival and payment expectations. Pairing hourly rates with clear payment methods and payment links helps things feel more professional. |
| Per visit | Clients who prefer a set price each time, even if the clean varies slightly. | Predictable for both sides. Easy to budget. Works well with deposits for block bookings. | You need to check that the average time matches what you are being paid. Scope creep can slowly push you under your target hourly rate. |
| Per job | Deep cleans, end of tenancy cleans, move in or move out jobs. | Lets you price based on difficulty and risk. Easy to combine with deposits and balances. | You carry more risk if the job takes far longer than expected. A clear scope, deposit and balance payment agreement helps protect your time. |
| Extras menu | Add ons such as oven cleans, inside windows or inside kitchen cupboards. | Boosts earnings without new clients. Helps clients understand what is included and what is not. | You need to be consistent. Extras should be clearly listed in your messages and booking confirmation so clients do not assume everything is included for free. |
There is no single correct way to price your work. The goal is to pick a simple structure and stick to it, so clients know what to expect and you know you are being paid properly for your time and effort.
Real Pricing Situations UK Cleaners Deal With
Pricing looks neat on paper, but real life is messy. These examples show how cleaners in the UK often handle tricky situations, and how clear prices plus payment links help keep things fair.
New regular client who wants a cheap hourly rate
A new client asks for a regular fortnightly clean and suggests a rate that is a few pounds lower than you usually charge. You need the work, but you also know that if you say yes, you will feel underpaid every time you visit.
Many cleaners handle this by setting a clear minimum hourly rate and sticking to it. They politely explain that this is their standard rate for regular cleans and that it includes their travel, time, products if supplied and the admin involved in managing bookings and sending payment links .
If the client agrees, you start the relationship with respect. If they do not, you avoid locking yourself into low rates that make it harder to raise prices later.
Deep clean that ends up much bigger than expected
You quote a deep clean based on photos and a rough description. On the day, the property is in a worse state than expected and takes several extra hours. Without a clear pricing structure, this can lead to arguments and a feeling that you either have to work for free or risk upsetting the client.
A common professional approach is to quote a range for deep cleans, explain what is included at that price and mention that very heavy or extreme conditions may cost more. You then back this up with a deposit and written confirmation using a deposit and balance payment link .
If the job is clearly far beyond the normal range, you pause part way through, explain what you have found and agree a revised price before continuing. Your payment links and messages make it easier to keep this factual rather than emotional.
Long term client where prices have not changed for years
You have a lovely client you have cleaned for for years. You started on a low rate just to get going and have never put it up. Now products, fuel and bills have all gone up, but their price has stayed the same. You feel awkward raising it, yet you know it is needed.
Many cleaners review their rates once a year and send a short, respectful message explaining a small increase. This is easiest when you already have clear prices written down and a simple way for clients to pay using automatic reminders and payment links.
Most reasonable clients understand this, especially if you give notice and explain that the change helps you keep offering a reliable, long term service rather than burning out.
A Simple 5 Step System for Cleaner Pricing
You do not need a complicated spreadsheet. This five step system will help you set fair rates, write them down clearly and connect them to payment links so clients know exactly what they owe and when.
Work out your target hourly income
Start with what you actually need to earn per hour after expenses. Think about your fuel, products, insurance, time between jobs and admin. Many UK cleaners aim to be somewhere in the £14 to £20 per hour range, sometimes higher in expensive areas. Pick a figure that feels fair for your skill level and local rates, not the lowest number you think someone will accept.
Translate that hourly rate into visit and job prices
Once you have a target hourly rate, turn it into typical visit and job prices. For example, if you aim for £18 per hour and a regular clean usually takes two and a half hours, your per visit price might be £45. For deep cleans or end of tenancy work, estimate the hours, add a buffer for risk and convert that into a per job price.
Create a simple written price list
Put your pricing into a short written list, even if you never post it publicly. Include your standard hourly rate, regular visit price range, deep clean ranges and common extras. This makes it far easier to be consistent when quoting and helps you avoid making up prices on the spot when you feel under pressure.
Decide where deposits and balances fit in
For higher value work, decide how much you want as a deposit and when the balance is due. Many cleaners use deposits for deep cleans and end of tenancy jobs so they are not left unpaid if someone cancels at the last minute. Combine this with the system in the Deposit and Balance Payments for Cleaners guide so your prices and payment timing work together.
Connect your prices to payment links and reminders
Once you have clear figures, build them into your booking messages, payment links and reminders. Each quote should lead smoothly to a payment link that matches the agreed amount, and if payment is late, your reminder system can follow up automatically instead of you having to chase by hand every time.
When your pricing system is written down and connected to payment links, it stops being something you have to improvise every week. It becomes part of how your business runs, just like your cleaning routine.
Sample Pricing Structures and Message Templates
These examples are not rules. They give you a starting point you can adjust for your area, experience and the types of clients you work with. Always charge what feels fair for your time and skill.
Example pricing structure for a solo domestic cleaner
| Service | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £16 – £20 per hour | Higher end if you supply products, have strong reviews or work in higher cost areas. |
| Regular 2 hour weekly clean | £35 – £40 per visit | Often kept simple as one fixed amount so clients know what to expect each week. |
| Regular 3 hour fortnightly clean | £45 – £55 per visit | Allow a little extra for travel and gaps between visits. |
| Deep clean (small home) | £140 – £220 | Usually includes inside cupboards, skirting boards, doors and extra detail. Often booked with a deposit. |
| End of tenancy (2 bed flat) | £200 – £320 | Higher risk work. A deposit plus clear payment terms and reminders helps avoid disputes at the end. |
These figures are examples only. Always check local rates, your own costs and your ideal income before finalising your prices.
Template 1: Quoting a new regular client
Payment is due on the day of each clean. I will send you a payment link after each visit so you can pay securely by card or bank. If you would like to go ahead, I can offer [day and time] as a regular slot.
Template 2: Quoting a deep clean with deposit and balance
To confirm the booking, I ask for a deposit of [£X] which is paid by payment link when you book. The remaining balance of [£X] is due on the day of the clean and I will send a separate payment link for this. If the property is significantly heavier than described, I will discuss any changes with you before continuing.
Template 3: Letting a long term client know about a price increase
Your clean will still include [brief reminder of what is included], and payment will work the same way with the payment link after each visit. Thank you for your understanding and for being a regular client.
Template 4: Explaining extras and avoiding scope creep
This helps keep things clear and fair for both of us so you always know what is included and what the total will be.
You can adapt these templates to your tone and then save them as message snippets. Combining them with payment links and, where needed, automatic reminders turns your pricing into a simple system that runs the same way every time.
What Happens When Your Prices and Payment Links Work Together
Cleaner pricing is not just about numbers. It is about how your business feels day to day. When your prices, deposits and payment links line up, these are the kinds of results many cleaners start to see.
Financial wins
- More predictable income because each job has a clear price and payment date.
- Fewer unpaid extras because you have a simple menu for add ons instead of quietly doing more for free.
- Less money lost to last minute cancellations when deposits and clear terms are in place.
Emotional and practical wins
- Less awkwardness when talking about money because your prices are written down and consistent.
- Fewer late payment conversations, especially when your pricing links directly into reminders and a clear system for chasing late payments .
- More confidence saying no to work that is underpriced or outside your scope, because you know exactly what your time is worth.
When clients see that your prices, deposits and payment links all match, they tend to treat your cleaning as a serious professional service rather than something flexible they can change at the last minute. That respect is a big part of building a stable, long term cleaning business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cleaning prices are too low?
A simple test is to calculate your true hourly income once you factor in travel, gaps between jobs, product costs and unpaid admin time. If your real hourly rate ends up close to minimum wage or below what other cleaners in your area are comfortably charging, it is a strong sign your prices are too low.
Should I charge hourly or per job as a cleaner?
Neither approach is right or wrong. Hourly rates work well for regular domestic clients where the time is similar each visit. Per job pricing works better for deep cleans and end of tenancy work where the risk and effort can change a lot. Many cleaners use a mix, with an hourly base that they convert into visit and job prices so everything connects.
How often should I review my cleaner rates in the UK?
Many cleaners review their rates once a year, often in spring or at the start of the tax year. This keeps small, manageable increases instead of one big jump after several years. A short, polite message explaining the change and then updating your payment links to match is usually enough.
Do I need different prices for cleaning in different areas?
In some cases, yes. If you work across areas with very different living costs and travel times, it can be sensible to have slightly different rates or minimum visit prices. The important thing is that your system stays simple enough for you to manage and explain clearly to clients.
How do payment links fit into my pricing?
Payment links make it easy to match each quote to a specific amount. Once you agree a price with the client, you send a payment link for that amount. For deposits and balances, you can send separate links. When combined with automatic reminders, this removes a lot of the stress and manual chasing from getting paid.
What if clients compare my prices with cheaper cleaners?
Some cleaners will always work for less, especially if they are not accounting for their full costs or are working informally. Focus on explaining what is included in your price, how reliable you are and how easy it is to pay. Clear pricing and a professional payment system often attract clients who value reliability over the very lowest price.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
Payment Links for Cleaners — Complete UK Guide
The complete UK guide to payment links for cleaners. Learn how to take deposits securely, reduce cancellations, and get paid faster.
Read guideHow Cleaners Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK cleaners accept payments for domestic and commercial work.
Read guideTurn Clear Prices into Predictable, On Time Payments
When your prices are clear and your clients know exactly what they owe, the next step is making it easy for them to pay. Simply Link lets you turn your agreed rates into simple payment links with optional deposits, balances and automatic reminders. Instead of chasing payments and checking bank transfers, you can let the system handle the admin while you focus on the work you are actually paid for.
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