In cleaning, the price you quote determines whether the job makes money. This calculator builds that price from hours, consumables, travel and minimums, then checks the margin. It shows what changes when you treat markup as margin and where per-job guesses leak profit.
Start with hours × rate
A cleaning job is not a single lump. List each task or period of work, assign a labour rate, and multiply hours by that rate. This gives the direct labour cost that sits under everything else. Without measured hours, a per-job quote becomes a guess.
Add consumables, travel and minimum call-out
Cleaning uses supplies that are easy to forget: cloths, chemicals, liners and disposable gloves. Add a line for these consumables. Then add travel between sites, charged per kilometre or per hour, and compare the result to your minimum call-out. If the minimum is higher, the small job must still cover the fixed cost of showing up.
Markup is not margin
A common mistake is to add a percentage to cost and call it margin. Markup is the percentage added to cost; margin is the percentage of the final price that is profit. A 30% markup on cost is not a 30% margin. The calculator keeps these separate so you can see the profit that is left.
Check the effective hourly rate
Once the price is set, look at the profit divided by total hours. That effective hourly rate tells you whether the job is worth the time. If the number is too low, adjust the uplift, reduce waste or reconsider the minimum charge. The goal is a price that covers all costs and leaves a clear margin.
Common questions
How do I cost a cleaning job?
Start with hours for each cleaner, multiply by the labour rate, then add consumables, travel and any equipment or subcontractor costs. Finish by comparing to the minimum call-out and applying your desired margin.
Why is quoting per job without measuring hours risky?
Per-job quotes hide how long the work actually takes. If the job runs over, labour cost rises and profit disappears. Measuring hours first makes the cost visible before you set a fixed price.
What is the difference between markup and margin?
Markup is the percentage added to cost to reach the price. Margin is the percentage of the price that remains as profit. They are not the same number; the calculator shows both so you can quote with the right one.
Should travel between cleaning sites be included in the quote?
Yes. Travel time and distance are real costs, whether you charge per kilometre or per hour. Including them prevents your margin from silently paying for the drive between jobs.
What does a minimum call-out cover?
A minimum charge protects small jobs from losing money before they start. It covers the fixed cost of travel, setup and administration, so a one-hour clean does not end up costing more than it brings in.