Things to know
Never total a recurring cleaning contract as a full year on the quote. It looks alarming even at a perfectly fair rate, and it misrepresents a contract that either side can end with notice. Show one representative period, weekly or monthly, and note that it repeats. Customers are evaluating "is this a fair price for a clean," not "am I comfortable committing to four figures right now."
State plainly who supplies the cleaning products, because it's one of the most common points of friction after a contract starts. Some customers want their own products used for allergy or eco reasons. Others expect you to bring everything. A single line, either "eco-friendly products and equipment supplied" or "customer to supply products," removes the ambiguity before the first visit, not during it.
A notice period protects both sides more than any other clause in a cleaning quote. Two to four weeks is typical. Stating it upfront means neither party is blindsided. The customer isn't stuck paying for a service they no longer want, and you're not left with an unplanned gap in your weekly schedule from a same-day cancellation.
Key access and alarm codes belong in the notes for unattended cleans, along with what happens if the property is inaccessible when you arrive. A short line, such as "if access can't be gained, the scheduled visit is still chargeable," is a normal, expected clause in the cleaning trade. Stating it upfront avoids an awkward conversation the first time it actually happens.
Typical cleaning service line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Regular domestic clean | per hour | £15–£25 |
| End-of-tenancy clean, 2-bed flat | per job | £180–£320 |
| Deep clean, 3-bed house | per job | £250–£450 |
| Oven clean | per oven | £50–£90 |
| Carpet clean (per room) | per room | £30–£60 |
| Office clean (contract) | per hour | £16–£26 |
| After-builders clean | per day | £250–£400 |
Common cleaning service jobs and how to price them
- Weekly or fortnightly domestic
- Hourly rate with a minimum visit length and a written task list.
- End-of-tenancy
- Fixed price by property size, often to an inventory checklist, with a re-clean guarantee.
- Office contracts
- Monthly fee from hours per week, with consumables optional.
- After-builders cleans
- Day rate or fixed price per property, with dust and paint removal specified.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- COSHH Regulations 2002 — you need to assess and control the cleaning chemicals you use. Commercial clients often ask to see your COSHH sheets.
- UK GDPR and key holding — if you hold keys or alarm codes, record how they are stored and who has access. A short key-holding policy reassures domestic and office clients.
- Employment and right-to-work checks — if you employ cleaners, right-to-work checks, the minimum wage and holiday pay apply. A DBS check is optional for most cleaning work, but many domestic customers value it.
Payment terms cleaning services commonly use
- Regular domestic: pay per visit or monthly in arrears.
- Commercial contracts: monthly invoice, 14–30 days, with a notice period for ending the contract.
- Cancellation policy: e.g. 24–48 hours’ notice or the visit is charged.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for cleaning services
VAT
Most sole-trader cleaners are below the £90,000 VAT threshold. Cleaning companies above it charge standard-rate VAT at 20%, which matters more to domestic customers than to VAT-registered businesses who can reclaim it.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Routine cleaning is outside CIS, but cleaning the inside of buildings as part of construction work (after-builders cleans for a contractor) is within it.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Hourly or per-visit pricing
- Recurring schedule notes
- Add-ons (windows, oven, carpets)
- Materials and equipment line
- PDF or tracked share link
Full guide
How to Start a Cleaning Business as a Sole Trader
Frequently asked questions
Regular domestic cleans are usually hourly with a minimum visit. End-of-tenancy and deep cleans work better as fixed prices by property size, because customers want a known cost.
Either works, but state it. If you supply them, price it in or add a small consumables charge. If the customer supplies them, list what you need.
Cleaning the inside of a building as part of construction work is within CIS, so a contractor may deduct from your labour. Routine domestic and office cleaning is not.
A room-by-room checklist, including oven, inside cupboards, skirtings and windows, that matches the letting agent’s inventory, plus a re-clean guarantee if the inspection flags anything.
Show one period (weekly or monthly) on the quote with a note that it repeats. Avoid trying to total a full year — the figure looks scary and most contracts include a notice period anyway.
Include them as a separate line. Customers like seeing they're not paying a hidden mark-up, and you can adjust the line if they prefer to supply their own.
State the service (one-off or recurring), the areas covered, who supplies materials, and the price per visit or per hour. Include the notice period for ending a recurring contract — 2-4 weeks is typical.
More free templates
All templates- QuoteCarpenterA professional quote template for carpenters and joiners — bespoke furniture, fitted units, doors, decks. Itemise timber, labour, and finishing in one clean PDF.
- QuoteRooferA clean quote template for roofing contractors. Covers re-roofs, flat roof replacements, tile repairs, and chimney work. Itemise scaffolding, materials, labour, and waste.
- QuotePlastererA simple quote template for plasterers — skim coats, render, dot-and-dab. Quote by room or by m² and present a clean branded PDF.
Send your first quote today
Free plan stays free forever. No credit card. Branded PDFs in 60 seconds.
Start free