How much should a cleaner charge per hour? A UK pricing guide
Work out your cleaning rates with confidence. A step-by-step UK guide to pricing per hour or per job, covering costs, travel, tax and profit.
By KleanLinc · Updated · 3 min read
"How much do cleaners charge per hour?" is one of the most searched cleaning questions in the UK. The honest answer is that rates vary a lot by area, type of work and experience, so copying someone else's price rarely works.
Instead, this guide shows you how to build your own rate from the ground up, so it covers your real costs and pays you fairly for your time.
Step 1: Decide what you need to earn
Write down the yearly income you need to cover your household bills and savings. This is your target profit after business costs, not the amount clients pay you.
Remember that as a self-employed cleaner you do not get paid holiday or sick pay. Decide how many weeks you realistically want to work each year, and plan for some weeks off.
Step 2: Add up your business costs
List everything your business spends in a year, for example:
- cleaning products, cloths and replacement equipment
- public liability insurance and any key or equipment cover
- fuel, parking and vehicle costs, or public transport fares
- phone, bookkeeping software and advertising
- platform or membership fees
Step 3: Work out your billable hours
Not every working hour is paid. Travel between clients, quoting new jobs, invoicing and buying supplies all take time. Many cleaners find that only part of their working week is spent actually cleaning for a client.
Estimate how many hours a week you can bill, then multiply by the number of weeks you plan to work.
Step 4: Calculate your minimum hourly rate
- Add your target profit and your yearly business costs together.
- Add an allowance for Income Tax and National Insurance on your profit.
- Divide the total by your yearly billable hours.
The result is the lowest hourly rate that keeps your business healthy. Check it against local rates for similar work: if yours is far lower, you may be undercharging. HMRC publishes current self-employed National Insurance rates (opens in a new tab) to help with the tax allowance.
Per hour or per job?
Hourly rates are simple for regular domestic cleans. Fixed prices often suit jobs with a clear scope, such as holiday-let changeovers or end-of-tenancy cleans, because the client knows the cost up front and you benefit when you work efficiently.
If you price per job, time yourself on the first few visits so you know your real hourly return.
When to charge more
- Short notice or out-of-hours work, such as early mornings or same-day changeovers.
- Heavily soiled properties or one-off deep cleans.
- Extra tasks such as oven cleaning, inside windows or laundry.
- Supplying all your own products and equipment.
On the planned KleanLinc platform, cleaners will set indicative rates on their profile and agree final rates and payment directly with each employer. Join the Founding Cleaner list to hear when profiles open; it is free and does not guarantee work.
Frequently asked questions
- Should self-employed cleaners charge more than employed cleaners earn?
- Usually, yes. Your rate has to cover costs an employer would normally pay, such as holidays, sick days, insurance, equipment and unpaid travel time.
- How often should I raise my cleaning prices?
- Review your prices at least once a year and give existing clients clear notice of any change, often a month.
- Should I charge for travel time?
- Many cleaners build travel into their hourly rate or set a minimum visit length. Some add a travel charge for clients outside their usual area.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Self-employed National Insurance rates (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Expenses if you're self-employed (opens in a new tab)
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so check the official source for your situation. KleanLinc is preparing to launch; platform features described here are planned, not live.