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How to write a cleaning estimate

How to write house cleaning and move-out cleaning estimates: pricing by home size, add-ons, recurring schedules and terms.

Updated October 14, 2026

A cleaning estimate should make it easy for the client to say yes and leave no doubt about what's included. Here's how to write one for a one-off clean or a regular schedule.

1. See the home, or ask the right questions

Ask for the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage, pets, and how long since the last professional clean. A walkthrough or photos help for deep and move-out cleans.

2. Say what each type of clean includes

Standard, deep and move-out cleans mean different things to different people. List what you do in each: kitchens, bathrooms, floors, dusting, baseboards, inside cabinets.

3. List add-ons with their own prices

Inside the oven or fridge, interior windows, laundry, walls. Clients like choosing, and it keeps the base price simple.

4. For regular clients, give the schedule and price per visit

Weekly, every two weeks or monthly, with the price for each visit. Say what happens with skipped visits and holidays.

5. Set your terms

When payment is due (after each visit, or monthly), your cancellation notice, and what you need from the client, such as access, parking and whether they supply anything.

6. Send it while you're still there

The best time to send an estimate is before you leave. The client is still thinking about the job, and you're not competing with the next quote they get.

Text or email a link they can open on their phone and approve with a tap, rather than a PDF they have to print, sign and scan.

A sample cleaning estimate

Here’s the kind of estimate these steps add up to, made in Invoizr. Names and numbers are made up.

ESTIMATEEST-0263Move-out clean, unit 4B
Issued
Sep 29, 2026
Valid until
Oct 29, 2026
FromSparkle & Shine Cleaning20 Commerce StSan Antonio, TX 78205(210) 555-0134
Bill toAtlas Property Mgmt1600 Broadway, Unit 4BSan Antonio, TX 78258
ItemQtyRateAmount
Move-out deep clean
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
1$320.00$320.00
Inside oven
1$40.00$40.00
Inside fridge
1$35.00$35.00
Interior windows
12$6.00$72.00
Subtotal$467.00
Total$467.00

This estimate is valid for 30 days. Prices for materials may change after that.

Common mistakes

  • Pricing a first deep clean the same as a regular visit.
  • Not defining what a "deep clean" includes.
  • No cancellation policy for regular clients.

Free cleaning estimate template

A printable PDF with the lines cleaning businesses need most, ready to fill in by hand. No sign-up needed.

Estimate templateInvoice template

Or write it on your phone: Invoizr builds the estimate from your saved prices, sends it as a link the client approves with a tap, and turns it into an invoice when the job is done. See how Invoizr works for cleaning businesses, or try it free for 14 days.

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