Worked example
A two-person cleaning business is quoting a weekly three-hour clean of a family house. Each cleaner earns £15 an hour, supplies cost about £5 a visit, the round trip is 10 miles and monthly overheads of £300 are spread across 60 jobs. The owner adds a 20% margin.
| Wages: 3 hours × 2 cleaners × £15 | £90.00 |
| Supplies | £5.00 |
| Travel: 10 miles × 45p | £4.50 |
| Overheads: £300 ÷ 60 jobs | £5.00 |
| Cost of the job | £104.50 |
|---|---|
| Margin: 20% | £20.90 |
| Quote (rounded up from £125.40) | £126.00 |
| Per hour on site (£126 ÷ 3) | £42.00 |
| Weekly client per month (£126 × 52 ÷ 12) | £546.00 |
Quoting by the hour, that is £42 an hour for a team of two, or £21 per cleaner-hour — useful to compare with local agencies.
How it works, in plain English
Underquoting is the most common problem for new cleaning businesses, usually because travel and fixed costs are forgotten. This calculator adds each piece separately.
Labour
Hours on site multiplied by the number of cleaners and their hourly pay. If you clean alone, enter one cleaner and the hourly amount you want to earn before tax.
Supplies and travel
Products used on the job go in directly. Travel is costed at 45p a mile — the HMRC approved rate for the first 10,000 business miles in a car or van — which covers fuel, wear and insurance rather than just petrol.
Overheads and margin
Insurance, phone, software, advertising and equipment are shared across all your monthly jobs. The margin then sits on top of the full cost: it is the business's profit and your cushion for cancellations, sickness and the tax bill.
Regular clients
Choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly to see what the client brings in per month (weekly = 52 visits ÷ 12 months). Some cleaners give regulars a small discount because travel and scheduling are predictable — just make sure the discounted price still sits above the cost line.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a cleaner charge per hour in the UK?
It depends on your area, costs and whether you supply products. Rather than picking a figure, cost the job here: your wage, supplies, travel and overheads plus a margin. Then compare the "price per hour on site" with local rates.
Should I quote per hour or per job?
Per job is easier for clients and rewards you for working efficiently; per hour protects you on unpredictable cleans like end of tenancy. Many cleaners quote a fixed price for regular cleans after a first timed visit.
Can I claim mileage between cleaning jobs?
Yes. Driving between clients is business travel. Sole traders can claim 45p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles and 25p after that, instead of actual car costs. Our mileage calculator totals it for you.
Do I need to pay tax on cleaning income?
If your cleaning income is over £1,000 in a tax year, register for Self Assessment and pay income tax and National Insurance on your profit. Income under £1,000 is covered by the trading allowance.
What if a client wants me to use their products?
Set supplies to £0 for that job. Your price falls a little, but keep travel and overheads in — they still cost you money.
Estimates only, not tax advice. These figures are a guide based on the information you enter and the 2026/27 rules. Your own position can differ — check GOV.UK or an accountant before relying on them.
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