FOR CLEANING BUSINESS OWNERS
Know your costs.
Quote with confidence.
Turn your time, expenses and target margin into a clear price per visit.
Your numbers.
Your estimate.
Build your estimate
Example values to get you started. Replace them with your own costs.
THE SAME VISIT, DIFFERENT UNITS
Compare your price by area.
Use the area included in this visit’s scope. Changing the area here does not change your cost-based estimate above.
- Your estimate per sq ft / visit
- $0.0569
- Your estimate per on-site cleaner-hour
- $37.92
These are selling-price equivalents, including the other costs and margin above. The hourly figure is not a wage. Unit rates are rounded; use the total price for your quote.
AT THE RATE YOU ENTERED
per visit
THE MATH, MADE SIMPLE
Costs first.
Margin second.
Labor is your crew size × hours per cleaner × hourly labor cost. Add supplies, travel and this visit’s share of overhead to find your total cost.
With the starting example values: $182 ÷ 0.80 = $227.50. A 20% margin is different from adding a 20% markup.
FROM ESTIMATE TO SCOPE
Put the quote in writing.
Add your client, schedule and included work to a printable cleaning quote.
THE JANITORMATH FIELD GUIDES
A little context. A better quote.
Practical answers behind the numbers.
How to price a commercial cleaning job
Start with costs, then work toward a price that covers the scope.
Read guide 02 / CHOOSING A BILLING UNITHourly vs. square-foot cleaning pricing
Compare billing units without losing sight of your costs.
Read guide 03 / WORKED EXAMPLESThree office-cleaning estimates, explained
Follow three transparent examples from inputs to final estimate.
Read guide 04 / UNDERSTANDING PROFITProfit margin is not the same as markup
Learn why adding 25% to your costs does not give a 25% margin.
Read guide 05 / COSTS & RATESCommercial cleaning costs and rates: what changes the quote?
Understand the costs behind a cleaning quote and compare rates for the same scope.
Read guide