House Cleaning

What it typically pays

Public sources report $118 to $238 per visit for house cleaning. Standard visit $118-$238; hourly $25-$75 per worker with a national average near $45-$50/hour (HomeGuide/Angi 2026); recurring clients pay less per visit but every week. Prices vary by city and by how the work is packaged. The launch checklist includes a pricing step so you set yours on purpose, not by guessing.

What it costs to start

Expect about $300 to $3,000 before the first job. Basic supply kit $300-$750 (Housecall Pro / Insurance Canopy 2026); $1,000-$3,000 for a solo start with insurance and marketing. The basics:

Cost source: housecallpro.com, 2026 guide, accessed 2026-09-10.

• Vacuum and mop
• Microfiber cloths
• Caddy of cleaners and gloves
• Printed checklist cards
• Car

How fast the first dollar comes

Our estimate: a first paid job within 3 to 14 days of starting, if you follow the checklist below in order. That is based on the checklist's own timing and typical platform onboarding, not a sourced statistic. The fastest route is almost always someone you already know.

Where the first customers are

• Neighborhood Facebook groups: 'Two Saturday openings for recurring cleaning' with a checklist photo
• Realtors and Airbnb hosts for move-out and turnover cleans
• A $25-off referral bonus to every existing client

Rules, permits and risks

• Breakage and theft accusations: liability insurance plus a janitorial bond, and never work without a written checklist
• Working alone in strangers' homes: share your schedule with someone
• Hiring later means payroll and workers' comp; stay solo or use legitimate contractors
• Income is taxable whether or not you receive a 1099; set aside roughly 25-30% (federal income tax plus 15.3% self-employment tax) and pay quarterly estimates if you expect to owe $1,000+ (IRS Self-Employed Tax Center).

Launch checklist

1. Write a 25-item standard-clean checklist and a deep-clean add-on list
2. Buy the kit (or upgrade what you own); bag it in a caddy
3. Set prices per visit by home size, with weekly and biweekly discounts
4. Clean 2 homes for friends at cost; get written testimonials and photos
5. Bind liability insurance and a janitorial bond
6. Post in 3 local groups and Nextdoor; create a Google Business Profile
7. Message 5 Airbnb hosts and 5 realtors with turnover and move-out offers
8. Do a 10-minute walkthrough before quoting any first clean
9. Take a deposit or a card on file; charge after each visit
10. Hand over the signed checklist at the end of each visit; text a review request
11. Book recurring slots on fixed days to build a route
12. At 8+ recurring clients, raise prices 10% for new clients

Open as a checklist you can tick off

Templates

Copy, replace the [brackets] with your details, send.

Honest caveats

• Hard on knees, back, and hands; chemicals
• Price pressure from crews and apps like Handy
• Cancellations wreck a day; enforce a 24-hour policy
• Great cash flow, limited ceiling until you hire