Underbidding kills cleaning businesses — but estimating fairly and fast is hard without a system. These 8 field-tested tips cut straight to what makes the biggest difference for cleaning business owners and estimators — and at the end you will find a free app that makes following them effortless.
1. Price by time and scope, not just square footage.
2. Always factor supplies, travel and overhead.
3. Offer tiered frequencies to raise lifetime value.
4. Walk the site before quoting when you can.
5. Build in margin for jobs that run long.
6. Use a consistent checklist so nothing is missed.
7. Send a clean PDF — it wins trust and jobs.
8. Track win rates to refine your pricing.
Put These Tips on Autopilot
Knowing the tips is half the battle — doing them consistently is the other half. Cleaning Bid Estimator keeps the routine, does the calculations and reminds you what is next, so good habits stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I price a cleaning job?
Estimate labour time, add supplies, travel and overhead, then apply your margin — the app does the math.
Should I charge per hour or per job?
Quote per job (fixed price) but base it on your time estimate.
How do I handle recurring cleans?
Use frequency pricing — discount slightly for commitment; the app calculates it.
Can I send a professional quote?
Yes — generate a branded PDF estimate.
Does it work offline?
Yes — estimating and quotes work without a signal.
Is the app free?
Yes — estimating is free, with an optional ad-free Pro upgrade.