Calculating a cleaning bid requires a balance of understanding the scope of work, determining your costs, and ensuring you provide a competitive price.

Here’s how you can calculate a cleaning bid step-by-step…

Step-by-Step Process for Calculating a Cleaning Bid

Assess the Scope of Work

Start by gathering detailed information about the cleaning job.

• Space Size – Measure the area to be cleaned (e.g., square footage, number of rooms).
• Type of Space – Is it an office, retail store, industrial space, or residential home? Different spaces require different cleaning levels.
• Frequency – Will it be a one-time cleaning or ongoing (daily, weekly, monthly)?
• Specific Services – Are there special tasks like carpet cleaning, window washing, or deep cleaning? List these out.
• Time of Day – Will you be cleaning during business hours or after hours? This could affect staffing.

Calculate Labor Costs

Labor is often the largest expense in a cleaning business. Here’s how to calculate labor costs…

• Hourly Rate – Determine your hourly rate per cleaner. This can vary by location and experience, but typically ranges from $15 to $30 per hour.
• Number of Cleaners – Decide how many cleaners are needed for the job. A large office might need 2–3 cleaners to finish quickly.
• Time to Complete – Estimate how long it will take to clean the space (in hours). Multiply this by the number of cleaners and their hourly rate.

Example

• Hourly rate – $20 per cleaner
• Number of cleaners – 2
• Time to clean – 4 hours

Labor cost = 2 cleaners x $20/hour x 4 hours = $160

Estimate Supplies and Equipment Costs

Consider the cost of cleaning supplies, tools, and equipment.

• Consumables – Include items like cleaning solutions, trash bags, paper towels, etc.
• Specialty Equipment – If you’re using any special equipment (e.g., carpet cleaners, floor buffers), calculate the cost of using that equipment, either as a one-time fee or as part of your overhead.
• Markup – You can add a small markup (10–20%) on supplies and materials to cover your time and effort sourcing these items.

Example

• Supplies cost for the job – $20
• Markup (15%) – $20 x 0.15 = $3
• Total supplies cost – $20 + $3 = $23

Include Overhead Costs

Your overhead costs include things like

• Insurance – A portion of your monthly insurance cost
• Transportation – Gas and vehicle maintenance for traveling to the job site
• Office/Admin Costs – Portion of your office rent, utilities, and administrative costs
• Taxes – Don’t forget to account for taxes when calculating your bid.

Example

• Monthly overhead costs – $1,000
• Monthly jobs – 20 jobs
• Overhead cost per job – $1,000 ÷ 20 = $50 per job

Factor in Profit Margin

Add a reasonable profit margin on top of your costs. A typical profit margin for a cleaning business is between 20% to 30%.

Example

• Total costs (Labor + Supplies + Overhead) = $160 (labor) + $23 (supplies) + $50 (overhead) = $233
• Desired profit margin – 25%
• Profit = $233 x 0.25 = $58.25

Total bid = $233 + $58.25 = $291.25

Adjust for Market and Competitors

Look at the market rate for similar cleaning services in your area. Make sure your bid is competitive, but don’t undervalue your services. Consider adjusting based on…

• Competition – How much are competitors charging?
• Client’s Budget – If they have a specific budget, see if you can adjust the scope of work or find efficiencies.
• Job Complexity – For more complex jobs, like deep cleaning or post-construction cleanup, you can charge higher rates.

Final Cleaning Bid

After considering all factors, your final cleaning bid will reflect the total cost of the project along with your desired profit.

Example Breakdown

Cost Component	Amount
Labor Costs (2 cleaners x 4 hours x $20)	$160
Supplies (including markup)	$23
Overhead Costs	$50
Profit Margin (25%)	$58.25
Total Cleaning Bid	$291.25

Additional Tips

• Customizable Pricing – Adjust your bid based on the client’s needs. For example, if they need more specialized cleaning (e.g., carpet or window cleaning), factor in the extra time and supplies.
• Recurring Discounts – If the client requests ongoing service, you may offer a discount for long-term contracts.
• Clear Terms – Include payment terms and policies (e.g., 50% deposit upfront, payment within 30 days, cancellation fees).

By calculating these components, you’ll have a competitive and accurate cleaning bid that covers your costs and ensures profitability.