Should a cleaner charge per hour or per visit?
Per visit (flat rate) for routine residential work: the customer wants to know what they're paying without watching the clock, and you want to be rewarded for working efficiently. Per hour for one-off small jobs, deep cleans of unknown scope, and any visit where you can't estimate confidently. For commercial cleaning, price per square foot per visit ($0.07–$0.25): that's the unit facilities managers compare against. Mixing models on the same customer (flat for routine, hourly for occasional extras) is fine and well understood.
How much should a self-employed house cleaner charge in 2026?
In US mid-cost markets, independent residential cleaners charge $30–$60/hour or $80–$200 per standard 2-bed visit. In high-cost cities (NYC, SF, London, Sydney), $50–$80/hour or $150–$350 per visit is normal. Deep cleans and move-out cleans run 2–4x the standard rate because they include inside cabinets, oven interiors, baseboards, and full-detail bathroom work. Always quote based on the property type AND the type of clean: pricing on hours alone makes recurring contracts harder to manage and deep cleans look unjustified.
Do cleaners need to charge sales tax, VAT or GST on cleaning services?
It depends on jurisdiction. In many US states, residential cleaning is NOT taxable but commercial cleaning IS, including some that tax "janitorial services" but exempt "house cleaning" and split the rules narrowly. In the EU and UK, VAT applies above the registration threshold. Always register with your state revenue department and check the specific guidance for cleaning services. Inbill lets you add a tax line per invoice; apply it on commercial invoices in jurisdictions that require it, leave it off for residential where it's exempt. Outside the US the tax is usually VAT or GST, not sales tax. In the UK, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and many other countries you add it only once you are registered for it, at the rate your tax office sets for that service. Check with your tax office or an accountant: this page is general information, not tax advice.
How should cleaners handle deposits or cancellation fees?
For one-off deep cleans and move-out cleans, take a 30–50% deposit at booking: these jobs hold a calendar slot you can't easily refill if the customer cancels last-minute. For recurring residential, a deposit usually isn't needed but a written cancellation policy is ("less than 24 hours notice = 50% of the visit price") protects you against schedule abuse. Put the policy in your booking confirmation as well as on the invoice. Inbill's partial-payment tracker handles deposits cleanly: record the deposit when received, the running balance updates.
Should cleaners send a separate invoice for each visit or a monthly summary?
A separate receipt-style invoice per visit for residential work: customers want immediate confirmation, and most pay at the door. A consolidated monthly invoice for commercial accounts and recurring residential customers who prefer one bill: this is what facilities-management teams expect. Inbill supports both: send a hosted public link at each residential visit, OR set up a monthly recurring invoice that auto-issues on the same day each month for commercial accounts.