A headline hourly price does not tell you the total cost of a cleaning visit. Use the same worksheet for each estimate so you can compare the work, the labor and the booking terms. This guide is about comparing written quotes after you have contacted potential providers.
Write one property brief for every provider
Record the property size, room and bathroom count, condition, pets and priority tasks. State whether you need recurring maintenance, a one-time visit, moving-related work or renovation cleanup. Send the same brief to each company.
Include access limitations and any sensitive finishes. Photos can explain buildup or renovation residue more clearly than a general request for a deep clean.
Use these comparison fields
- Service category and visit frequency.
- Included rooms and specific tasks.
- Excluded work and optional extras.
- Number of cleaners and estimated time on site.
- Hourly unit: per cleaner, per team or a fixed visit price.
- Minimum booking and any extra charges.
- Supplies, equipment and access arrangements.
- Cancellation, payment and follow-up terms.
Leave a field marked unknown until the provider explains it. A short quote with missing information is not yet directly comparable with a detailed one.
Distinguish elapsed time from labor hours
Two cleaners working for two hours provide four cleaner-hours. That is different from one cleaner working for two hours. Confirm how each provider bills and how its minimum applies; do not calculate a total from team size alone.
If a fixed price is offered, ask which condition assumptions it uses and what happens if the property differs from the description. Agree on whether added work needs your approval.
Choose the scope that fits your priorities
Compare the must-do tasks first, then weigh scheduling and follow-up terms. A lower figure may leave out appliance interiors or other details that matter to you. A larger scope may also include work you do not need.
For a YBH estimate, use the current cleaning rates as the starting reference and request a cleaning estimate for the actual property. If you are still choosing a company, the questions-to-ask guide covers that earlier decision.
For ongoing service, keep the accepted scope with your booking details and review it when your home or schedule changes.
