Same home, three different cleaners, three different pricing models. One quotes $175 flat. One quotes $40/hour. One quotes a $145 "biweekly package." Which is the deal? It depends.
The three models
1. Flat rate / fixed-price
"Your 3-bed/2-bath, biweekly — $165 per visit." Most common in residential.
Pros: No surprise bill. Easy to compare across options.
Cons: If they overestimate time, you may pay for hours they didn't need.
Who uses it: Experienced cleaners who've done 100+ similar homes. Best signal of professionalism.
2. Hourly
"$40/hour, estimated 3 hours = $120."
Pros: Faster than estimate = save money. Fair for unpredictable jobs.
Cons: Slow cleaner = higher bill. Hard to verify hours. Open-ended cost is uncomfortable.
Who uses it: One-time deep cleans where scope is unclear. New cleaners who don't know their times.
3. Package / subscription
"$145 per biweekly visit, $300 per deep clean every 6 months."
Pros: Predictable cost. Often discounted vs one-time.
Cons: Can lock you in.
Frequency discounts (what's normal)
- One-time: base ($175 for typical 3-bed)
- Monthly: 10-15% off ($150)
- Biweekly: 15-20% off ($140)
- Weekly: 20-30% off ($125)
If committing to recurring, ALWAYS ask for the recurring rate.
The "minimum job" reality
Most cleaners have $120-$150 minimum regardless of model. Tiny apartment? Expect a minimum or a "bundle in something else" pitch.
How to compare quotes fairly
- Hourly: ask for estimated total. Pin them down.
- Package: get per-visit cost.
- Flat: already a number.
Then compare apples-to-apples.
What experienced cleaners do
Think per-hour internally, quote flat rate externally. Internal logic stays consistent (don't lose money on hard homes); customer-facing quote is simple (get the booking).
Price isn't the only signal
Cheapest of three is rarely right. Look at: reviews count + recency, insurance certificate, communication clarity, photos, written checklist. Middle quote with great reviews + insurance + clear photos = almost always the right answer.
The bottom line
Flat rate from experienced cleaner = right for typical residential. Hourly fine for one-time deep cleans (verify estimated total). Get quotes from multiple cleaners at once.