House Cleaning Estimate Template
A house cleaning estimate allows providers of house cleaning services to provide potential customers with a sense of what a particular job will cost. House cleaners typically create an estimate by first setting out what will be required for the cleaning, then detailing the costs for each element of the service. It is standard practice for estimates to include a reasonable profit margin for the provider.
House Cleaning Estimate Format
Unlike invoices, which present the price charged to a customer after work has been completed, estimates are not binding. But providing inaccurate estimates can damage a business’s credibility, so it is important for the estimate to be as professional as possible. These are commonly included sections:
Identifying Information
A great place to start any estimate is by identifying the parties involved and briefly describing the work that will be performed. Here are some items of general information that might be included in a house cleaning estimate:
- Company or individual performing the house cleaning and contact info
- Customer and contact info
- Location of the house to be cleaned
- General description of the work (e.g. entire house, weekly cleaning, etc.)
Scope of Work
The value of a concise description of the scope of work cannot be overstated. Arguably the most important part of any estimate, the scope of work is the foundation upon which the estimate is built. Here is an example of what might be included in a house cleaning estimate:
- Initial deep clean, entire house
- Weekly regular cleaning, entire house
- Bi-weekly, additional focus on kitchen and bathrooms
- Wash and dry all bedding
- Organize refrigerator and pantry
- Start dishwasher before leaving
- Client to provide cleaning supplies
Items, Materials, and Tasks
Once the scope of work has been determined, the items, materials, tasks, and labor required to complete the work can be listed along with their individual costs so that an estimate of total cost can be presented. The list only needs to be as detailed as necessary. In a house cleaning estimate where the customer provides the cleaning supplies, labor might be the only item on the list.
Payment Terms
Payment terms might be weekly, monthly or due upon completion. Whatever the arrangement, the payment terms should be clearly defined in the estimate.
Common House Cleaning Estimate Issues
Every job will be unique. Accurate assessment of the work required to complete a project will lead to more accurate estimates and overall profitability.
Initial Cleaning vs. Ongoing Cleaning
Depending upon the condition of the house and customer expectations, the initial cleaning might be more labor and supply intensive than ongoing cleaning will be. This should be discussed with the customer and reflected in the estimate.
Cleaning Supplies
Be sure to clarify which party will provide cleaning supplies. If the customer is to provide cleaning supplies, a system for reordering should be implemented. Additionally, some customers may prefer to use only certain cleaning products for a variety of reasons. This should be discussed and reflected in the estimate.
Sales Tax on House Cleaning
The sales tax requirement on house cleaning services differs from state to state. Being familiar with local tax policies related to house cleaning services is recommended.
How to Use the House Cleaning Estimate Template
Using the house cleaning estimate template is easy. Simply download it and fill it out, or use our free estimate generator.