A useful starting point for quoting a cleaning job
Pricing a service isn't just choosing an hourly rate. You also need to cover supplies, other job expenses, card fees and the fixed costs of running your business.
Step 1: Add the direct costs
In this fictional example, a standard cleaning takes three labor hours at an estimated labor cost of $28/hour ($84), plus $18 in supplies and $8 in other job-related expenses. Direct job cost before payment fees = $110.
Step 2: Set a contribution-margin target
Suppose your target is a 40% contribution margin, your payment processing rate is an estimated 3%, and there is a $0.30 fee per transaction. To estimate a price that covers direct costs and those fees while leaving a 40% contribution margin:
Suggested price = ($110 + $0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.40 − 0.03) = $193.51.
This is a contribution-margin target—not a net profit margin. It does not by itself cover rent, insurance, marketing, income taxes, or unexpected callbacks.
Step 3: Check your actual quote
At a $210 customer price, estimated payment fees are $6.60, leaving $93.40 contribution before monthly overhead, or about 44.5% of the sale.
Step 4: Plan the full month
Repeat the calculation across your service offerings and expected monthly job volumes. Add total contribution and deduct your monthly fixed overhead. Then check if your schedule can handle the planned work.
Want the spreadsheet to calculate it? The Service Business Pricing & Profit Calculator includes a service library, custom quote builder, monthly plan, dashboard and scenario analysis.
Illustrative figures only, not a market-rate recommendation or professional financial advice. Local taxes, refunds, travel time, callbacks and demand affect your actual results. Review every input before quoting customers.